Happy Thanksgiving to One and All From Our House to Yours

Salvia and Petunia plants surviving - planted in July for the family reunion

Mint from Tina Nunley, planted in July is doing very well now that it is established

A little dash of autumn in the midst of cactus at the cabin

This delicious tomato soup was wonderful and very warming on a totally chilly day. I found the recipe on www.yourhomebasedmom.com. However, as usual, I had to improvise like I always do when cooking. Here's my version of her recipe. (by the way her blog is a delightful place for finding recipes.) Briefly cook in about 2 or 3 tablespoons of olive oil: 1/2 onion, 3 cloves finely chopped garlic, 2 or 3 fresh Roma tomatoes chopped Add about 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh herbs (I used basil and oregano from my garden pots) Add 2 cans tomato sauce - bring to a soft bubble for a few minutes. Serve with cilantro finely chopped (easy to grow in a pot) add cubed cheese if desired For dessert I served freshly baked blackberry pie (exactly as the recipe is on her blog). I forgot to take a picture but it looked just like the picture on Leigh Anne's blog.

A Day Trip to Star Valley

Saturday, November 22 was a beautiful day to take a day trip to the cabin. We had a delicious pancake breakfast with Jake and Susie before we left.We had a pickup load of stuff to haul up, but the major need was to gather wood that had been cut down early in the summer by the forest service and left out in the forest. Dad and Jake (mostly Jake) gathered the wood and did other jobs around while Susie and Mom relaxed, talked on the phone made lunch and visited. It was so chilly in the morning but warmed up later. At least we now have plenty of wood to burn in the fireplace and keep warm when we're there. Dad and Jake discovered several cool forts out in the forest that neighbor children had built. There was also signs all over the property that we had had many elk visiting and enjoying our mountain retreat. Our Star Valley place is our "Walden Pond" -- we hope it gives peace to all who visit.

Autumn is my favorite time of year! A season of joy-a season of gathering the family together and rejoicing over blessingsGrandma Ethel Chesley's autumn artwork that we display every year.

Wishing for all the joys of the journey, even when the road is rocky

Baby James Benjamin Jensen and his adoring sister, Liesel Born Sunday, November 2, 2008

James with his adoring Gramie

Sweetest little feller anybody knows

Grandaddy with Princess Alice Nicole-Folz Bielefeldt Born Sunday, November 16

Daddy Eric with his little princess Sweetest Little Angel

Dear Henry and Lil' Liza after 40 years of marriage still handsome and beautiful!!! (oh yeah)

The long hike in the forest wore out all the children so they collapsed in front of the tiny AC unit in the tiny living room afterwards. Wall to wall children watching the tiny TV!!! But what a fun time riding the horses Beth and Dave brought up.

Oh the campfire was an adventure for those who could stay awake(everyone except Gramie)

So much creativity!!!!

Sam the winner - actually everyone was a winner - what a funny Bielefeldt American idol show

The greatest judges for the super Bielefeldt American idol show! Our own Susie was the creator of this wild and wonderful program.

Celebrating 40 years of marriage - oh the family, dogs, horses, goats, squirrels, tarantulas, etc. all got together with the yummiest food ever - from Joe's barbeque chicken to the best ever German breakfast, including freshly made goat icecream and Susie's apple pie etc.