Sweet Potato Casserole

Putting this recipe here so I don't forget my favorite Thanksgiving dish.

You can the the sweet potato part in advance and put in the fridge and then do the topping the day of. Really easy and super yummy! This recipe is from my Mother-In-Law.

Sweet Potato Casserole

2 ½ lbs. (about 4 cups) sweet potatoes. Cooked, peeled and mashed 1/3 cup melted butter or margarine 2 eggs, beaten ½ cup milk 1 tsp. vanilla extract ½ cup sugar

Topping: ½ cup chopped nuts (pecan) ½ cup shredded coconut ½ cup packed brown sugar 3 tbsps butter or margarine, melted

In large mixing bowl, combine mashed potatoes, butter, eggs, milk, vanilla and sugar. Spread into a greased casserole dish. For topping, combine all ingredients and sprinkle over potatoes. Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes or until heated through.

New Song

I am a worrier. I heard this song by Tim Timmons on the radio this morning and loved it! Good reminder to cast our cares upon the Lord. He is bigger than our circumstances and has a plan in mind that sometimes we don't understand.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDJc1zej6jc

Then I read his story behind the song - Wow!

"12 years ago I found out that I have incurable cancer and I still walk with it today.  And, we can all agree that cancer is stupid, but the learning is, what if God is still at work in and through my cancer?  What if He's still God and I'm not.  So, the idea of casting my cares on a God that's bigger than I am has just been the overarching theme in my life since the whole journey with cancer.  It's just saying, 'Okay, either you're God or you're not, either your good or you're not, you know when I'm struggling, and then, what's my response to you.'  So, that kind of leads into the song 'Cast My Cares.'  Another thing with the cancer, you know people want to make cancer my story and, what I'm learning is, cancer is not my story.  The perspective through cancer is my story.  That's kind of the difference.  Like anybody's life, you know, the things that you've gone through in your life do not identify you, that is not your story.  But it is the perspective through those things that's your story.  So, I wrote a blog about 'the gift of cancer,' and the gift of cancer is perspective.  The gift of any kind of struggle and pain is perspective."

Kindergarten Ready!

So my baby boy is officially in elementary school! He started Kindergarten today. :) Such an important milestone that brings happy and sad emotions! I am so proud of him and I think he is going to do great - but I am also going to miss spending my days with him. Luckily, elementary school here gets out at 2:15 - so we will still have lots of time in the afternoon/evening together.

As for me....I am not sure what I am going to do! I guess I will just lay around all day, lay by the pool, go to the spa...? (Ha!)

Here are some pictures from the first day.

 Wake up sleepy head! Time for School today!

 He was checking under his pillow to see if his "ready confetti" was still there. This was sent in the mail from his teacher. :) 

 Still feeling sleepy! 

 Breakfast time! 

 Ready to go! New lunchbox, new shoes, new school clothes. He thinks he looks cool!

 Walking him in on the first day. It was a little crazy! 

 On his way into school he saw a cat he wanted to go say hello to!

 Walking to his classroom! 

 Putting his stuff away. 

 And ready for the day to begin! Time for Mom to leave....

Praying he has a great first day! :)

One more picture - This is a comparison of all of his "First Days of School." In the first one he was 2 and in daycare. The second if is 3 and in Preschool (still daycare). The next one he is 4 and in Pre-K. And now he is 5! He has had the same backpack through it all. Love that LLbean backpack. ;)