THE SCOOP #95

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPZJL5IVHYsOItR8NnpzPgqdypPP52aM5JM3ttbtihLWuoAwo8_aES-pcNOe3TjNoC_TnS1UvmVb50SZA_vvInGx1n4lMgIBpJnMcf8TQu80uIgQHBWKFbr1XOJtWDEiIxoqF82ECGZXop/s1600-h/The%252520Scoop%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="The Scoop" border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSHQTnsGuehF2CMJORqD30LC6SvSzrEgEM3pZVO-d9YrX_l0hgfNAwKsgGu_hF_qbWWRPi5PYkElUf5JoZxV8hYIWBH9RIH_7KIr4heGgUYu68BB5qZO1pwiBzWMMy31d5BRERctLkhDYF/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px; display: inline;" title="The Scoop" width="220" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hi Friends! Lots and lots of great info on THE SCOOP! Make sure you read all about it!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">At StoneGable its all things Christmas this week! I'll be sharing lots of Christmas decor!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Today's guest host is from my neck of the woods and is a darling gal! Make sure you stop by her blog and show her some bloggy love. She is really a special lady and a great talent!<br /><a name="more"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div align="center"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Welcome back to The Scoop</span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div align="center">The weekly linky party featuring <i>the scoop</i> on the best posts from around the web!<br /><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPZJL5IVHYsOItR8NnpzPgqdypPP52aM5JM3ttbtihLWuoAwo8_aES-pcNOe3TjNoC_TnS1UvmVb50SZA_vvInGx1n4lMgIBpJnMcf8TQu80uIgQHBWKFbr1XOJtWDEiIxoqF82ECGZXop/s1600-h/The%252520Scoop%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="The Scoop" border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSHQTnsGuehF2CMJORqD30LC6SvSzrEgEM3pZVO-d9YrX_l0hgfNAwKsgGu_hF_qbWWRPi5PYkElUf5JoZxV8hYIWBH9RIH_7KIr4heGgUYu68BB5qZO1pwiBzWMMy31d5BRERctLkhDYF/?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px; display: inline;" title="The Scoop" width="220" /></a> <br /><br /><br /></div><div align="center">More exposure + less time = win win! <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMNNZYJP1hwokb59UjeUGyqxMbrCSkhG1UU4aLAtZws4i3Gm-kQDTirA2G9NZlPn4OqYSpbjHLruGNRAQZ1yFamnsHlfosfzhhOvUMStZJXsbuaMf7kklc_sK7i_fJkFuyod22VjRHnA/s1600/Scoop+Banner+November+2013.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMNNZYJP1hwokb59UjeUGyqxMbrCSkhG1UU4aLAtZws4i3Gm-kQDTirA2G9NZlPn4OqYSpbjHLruGNRAQZ1yFamnsHlfosfzhhOvUMStZJXsbuaMf7kklc_sK7i_fJkFuyod22VjRHnA/s640/Scoop+Banner+November+2013.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><br />We are <br /><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">Anita from <a href="http://www.cedarhillfarmhouse.com/">Cedar Hill Farmhouse</a></span><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">Debbie from <a href="http://confessionsofaplateaddict.blogspot.com/">Confessions of a Plate Addict</a></span><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">Anne from <a href="http://www.whitelacecottage.com/">White Lace Cottage</a> </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Barb from <a href="http://www.everydayhomeblog.com/">The Everyday Home</a>and</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"> Yvonne from<a href="http://www.stonegableblog.com/"> StoneGable. </a></span><br /><br /><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our host this week is Anne from<a href="http://www.whitelacecottage.com/" title="White Lace Cottage"> White Lace Cottage</a><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.whitelacecottage.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/barndoor11.jpg"><img alt="barndoor11" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-3016" height="425" src="http://www.whitelacecottage.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/barndoor11-470x425.jpg" width="470" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />I cannot believe we are preparing to celebrate the holiday season!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Have you done any shopping yet?</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have,but not on black Friday!</div><div style="text-align: center;">My home is fully decorated and I cannot wait to share it with you all!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Don't forget about our Homemade Christmas!</div><div style="text-align: center;">The scoop will be sharing blog tours that will inspire you with lots of Christmas ideas,for homemade Christmas!<br /><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.whitelacecottage.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/The-Scoop-on-Creating-a-Handmade-Christmas-Button.jpg"><img alt="The Scoop on Creating a Handmade Christmas Button" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-3449" height="425" src="http://www.whitelacecottage.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/The-Scoop-on-Creating-a-Handmade-Christmas-Button-386x425.jpg" width="386" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's the schedule for<b> The Scoop on Creating a Handmade Christmas:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Friday December 6</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sophiasdecor.blogspot.com/">Sophia's </a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.everydayhomeblog.com/">The Everyday Home</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thehappierhomemaker.com/">The Happier Homemaker</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vintagenewsjunkie.com/">Vintage News Junkie</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.domestically-speaking.com/">Domestically Speaking</a><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Saturday December 7 </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/">French Country Cottage</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.whitelacecottage.com/">White Lace Cottage</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.maisondepax.com/">Maison de Pax</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.oursouthernhomesc.com/">Our Southern Home</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.athomeonthebay.com/">At Home on the Bay</a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Sunday December 8</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.onsuttonplace.com/">On Sutton Place</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lilacsandlonghorns.com/">Lilacs & Longhorns</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://confessionsofaplateaddict.blogspot.com/">Confessions of a Plate Addict</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.town-n-country-living.com/">Town and Country Living</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.hymnsandverses.com/">Hymns & Verses</a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Monday December 9</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.stonegableblog.com/">Stone Gable</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.topthistopthat.blogspot.com/">Top This Top That</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.serendipityrefined.com/">Serendipity Refined</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.plumdoodles.com/">Plum Doodles</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://shabbyartboutique.com/">Shabby Art Boutique</a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Tuesday December 10</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cedarhillfarmhouse.com/">Cedar Hill Farmhouse</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.unskinnyboppy.com/">Unskinny Boppy</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://botanicbleu.blogspot.com/">Botanic Bleu</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.attagirlsays.com/">Atta Girl Says</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://diohomeimprovements.com/">Dio Home Improvements </a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>  <br /><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">I am super excited to have Doreen from Hymns and Verses join us as our special guest this week!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hi, I'm Doreen and I blog at <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.hymnsandverses.com/">Hymns and Verses</a>! </span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3KXUo5Wg4uFL8NQx38ynLV2A4iYnr2hbKqi0KMuPFdURx8kWeFVedyTyvser_DU3lpwK-y5L1lk8jwPN7wB5JftlPmPYuUObJRbHSZpIZHZoqGxCbtQYOiLKYJnQHaIJLdi9gMfmHGcE/s1600/Doreen+Blog+Photo1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3KXUo5Wg4uFL8NQx38ynLV2A4iYnr2hbKqi0KMuPFdURx8kWeFVedyTyvser_DU3lpwK-y5L1lk8jwPN7wB5JftlPmPYuUObJRbHSZpIZHZoqGxCbtQYOiLKYJnQHaIJLdi9gMfmHGcE/s400/Doreen+Blog+Photo1.jpg" width="391" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can't tell you how excited I am to be here today as a guest host! I've been partying on Mondays with this group for a little over a year - and now, I'm a guest host! As I type this, I'm covered in glitter! I've been busy <i>"Decking the Halls"</i> and of course, getting ready for The Scoop's Handmade Christmas Tour! To get you inspired for the tour, I thought I would share some of the DIY Christmas projects that caught my eye from last week's party! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Take a look at these amazing napkin rings made from twigs, twine, and pearls by Anna at <a href="http://tarnishedroyalty.blogspot.com/2013/11/girls-want-pearls-put-ring-on-it.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Tarnished Royalty</span></a>! I love the combination of the rustic twigs and jute with the always elegant, creamy pearls! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoaV2qt7FQw8WQzXPRA6QmaVmBtlrpyPJ4QnIt1XzTbJbo_w9_lZbgEMR_ofnoggqCOzoewhtI-7-BfzOyvMCxu4ztwSV2tjtDsp1NJ3Z5-89lOnkWBxyJsvPtWGTqxO3Pj2Ai8LulHng/s1600/napkinring7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="564" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoaV2qt7FQw8WQzXPRA6QmaVmBtlrpyPJ4QnIt1XzTbJbo_w9_lZbgEMR_ofnoggqCOzoewhtI-7-BfzOyvMCxu4ztwSV2tjtDsp1NJ3Z5-89lOnkWBxyJsvPtWGTqxO3Pj2Ai8LulHng/s640/napkinring7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My next pick is from Barbara at <a href="http://decoratingwithbarbara.blogspot.com/2013/11/how-to-make-your-own-fragrant-fruit.html"><span style="font-size: large;">21 Rosemary Lane</span></a>. After a recent visit to Colonial Williamsburg, she came home and made this beautiful colonial style wreath for her front door!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnzg2L-Wmj6xfKjkVCv3wwPU0XLd26V5D6xG07PZ5PwSdli1ovnmq2Tlp-ZpSjiOYtwXSheWVy6ASW8hU-f-CFWT-K_4u385CP-CLzIFkMmFbb-iL5cxmJJxWTskP-60iPcxwHz4whPDs/s1600/fruit+wreath+5+a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnzg2L-Wmj6xfKjkVCv3wwPU0XLd26V5D6xG07PZ5PwSdli1ovnmq2Tlp-ZpSjiOYtwXSheWVy6ASW8hU-f-CFWT-K_4u385CP-CLzIFkMmFbb-iL5cxmJJxWTskP-60iPcxwHz4whPDs/s640/fruit+wreath+5+a.jpg" width="518" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next up, are these French script feathers by Judith at<span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://botanicbleu.blogspot.com/2013/11/french-script-feathers.html">Botanic Bleu</a></span>. They are just lovely and I think they would add an elegant touch to your Christmas packages!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGZaFkP8qbZXZGKguIubaUeBBPNKeLNnQMIC8ERorCgRihnWKGGU_uZD7M1F7p_W4wiUUrpbOwa3rdueGlqKfU2y5c0potUimAJNHKZO399KmJS9a6mVXJr6lbp5_Bk1h-F2OD49RL1gQ/s1600/3+French+Script+White+feathers+alone+Good.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGZaFkP8qbZXZGKguIubaUeBBPNKeLNnQMIC8ERorCgRihnWKGGU_uZD7M1F7p_W4wiUUrpbOwa3rdueGlqKfU2y5c0potUimAJNHKZO399KmJS9a6mVXJr6lbp5_Bk1h-F2OD49RL1gQ/s640/3+French+Script+White+feathers+alone+Good.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If rustic is more your style, then you are gonna love these frosty twig ornaments by Katie at <a href="http://upcycledtreasures.com/2013/11/diy-twig-tree-christmas-ornament/"><span style="font-size: large;">Upcycled Treasures</span></a>. They are adorable and look fairly easy to make! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEOVPM9M1OroTNteokiMazfyBKxhnRqhvaJjfLWzo5twZk5yFgaBNjlN45FQ6Nk8CzglU2GLAb3NpGOHEMrV7bsFH5QR00Gq1WkewPfVxQGcdJ6dI3cW3QUxjtTGXkduUkDRME10EBobw/s1600/diy-rustic-twig-christmas-tree-ornament-upcycledtreasures1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEOVPM9M1OroTNteokiMazfyBKxhnRqhvaJjfLWzo5twZk5yFgaBNjlN45FQ6Nk8CzglU2GLAb3NpGOHEMrV7bsFH5QR00Gq1WkewPfVxQGcdJ6dI3cW3QUxjtTGXkduUkDRME10EBobw/s640/diy-rustic-twig-christmas-tree-ornament-upcycledtreasures1.png" width="390" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Originally I wasn't going to pick a recipe link, but when I saw this one, well - I changed my mind! Katherine of<span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://katherinescorner.com/2013/11/18/raspberry-pie-fries/">Katherine's Corner</a></span> shared these Raspberry Pie Fries! I love her presentation and can't wait to try these!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheU7XuiMfSSDhLGDTJihyphenhyphenpEfoGHy-q_s-mkeYw-eCg4fN7ptjHFecaO-DT4LUlCcSenauFfk5Z99yhZYX2dxoNOwVtSEzw6U9zaZfMOoCR2Dpl6EzwjuM2tq0TYx5ISUkqJh-dqN1ARKQ/s1600/raspberry-pie-fries-recipe-katherines-corner-850x1024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheU7XuiMfSSDhLGDTJihyphenhyphenpEfoGHy-q_s-mkeYw-eCg4fN7ptjHFecaO-DT4LUlCcSenauFfk5Z99yhZYX2dxoNOwVtSEzw6U9zaZfMOoCR2Dpl6EzwjuM2tq0TYx5ISUkqJh-dqN1ARKQ/s640/raspberry-pie-fries-recipe-katherines-corner-850x1024.jpg" width="530" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's been so fun being here today! I hope you will come over and visit me at <a href="http://www.hymnsandverses.com/">Hymns and Verses</a>. You can also catch up with me on<span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HymnsAndVerses">Facebook</a></span> and<span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/doreencagno/">Pinterest</a></span>! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thank you so much Doreen for joining us!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div></div></div><div align="center"><b>Thank you for linking up, friends! </b></div><div align="center"><i>Please read the guidelines before participating:</i></div><ul><li>Follow and/or subscribe to your host blog.</li><li>Be sure to include THE SCOOP button or text link to in your linked post...mandatory to be featured!</li><li>By linking up you are agreeing that the photos are yours or that you have permission to use them, that we may use those photos to feature your project on a blog post, Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter with a link back to your blog, of course.</li><li>Please go to the source of a photo to pin it to Pinterest so that the originator of the post gets the credit.</li></ul>  <!-- start LinkyTools script --><script src="http://www.linkytools.com/thumbnail_linky_include.aspx?id=215020 " type="text/javascript"></script><!-- end LinkyTools script --></div>

THE SCOOP #95

Hi Friends! Lots and lots of great info on THE SCOOP! Make sure you read all about it! At StoneGable its all things Christmas this week! I...

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ON THE MENU MONDAY~ WEEK OF DECEMBER 2, 2013

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuiXwUhAZOcsrYYY5ohJoj0EfXXWgPOG6L3-t5IHjkTqu4UqYcE7VxX4m-Wf-mqWNM102-GfYhmwPeOHP5PV5wjCSDInIidCLtRour-8NJ9me8WI7rfcBv3r6-8nHTu_5jEd1HEGLPwSQo/s1600/OTMM+12-2-13+stonegableblog.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuiXwUhAZOcsrYYY5ohJoj0EfXXWgPOG6L3-t5IHjkTqu4UqYcE7VxX4m-Wf-mqWNM102-GfYhmwPeOHP5PV5wjCSDInIidCLtRour-8NJ9me8WI7rfcBv3r6-8nHTu_5jEd1HEGLPwSQo/s640/OTMM+12-2-13+stonegableblog.com.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />Hi Friends! Can you believe it's already December? Only 23 days until Christmas!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">No one is more aware of the calendar than I am! As I am writing this I am sitting up in bed, legs wrapped in ice and very sore! Recovering from bilateral knee cap surgery is such a mess!<br /><br />Way, way, way to slow of a recovery for me!<br /><br />And I see the calendar days quickly moving by and I just can't wait to get back to normal!<br /><br /><br />I doubt I'll be making anything on my menu this week... But old habits die hard!  If I can't cook this week, at least I can plan a menu, right?<br /><br />Have a wonderful week... Enjoy some holiday music...it's time to get in some jolly Christmas spirit!<br /><br />Now here's what's On The Menu...<br /><br /><a name="more"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.stonegableblog.com/2011/03/ina-gartens-perfect-roast-chicken-with.html" target="_blank">PERFECT ROASTED CHICKEN</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Roast Root Vegetables</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQ5hvl5qdIvFsPOgTTMKgeU3sBLnyLRtvNViF-Nw1xmeKQhZnJvlSLS44oXpCYjDb9OpiliuNmJucTyuPTJ2PPzAlLEKlqSdUfhLzRtFAcGl5BaZC2_vAfqqWD4OECPFz_3T6GloJPcLs/s400/Perfect+Roast+Chicken+Title+Page+-+stoneglableblog.com.jpg" width="268" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">TUESDAY</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://sites.google.com/site/stonegableprintablerecipes/chicken-piccata" target="_blank">CHICKEN PICATTA</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Angel Hair Pasta</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.stonegableblog.com/2013/06/the-best-summer-salad.html" target="_blank">ARUGULA, SHAVED PARMESAN WITH A LEMON VINAIGRETTE</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1s_zXzl4In4XxsboilvN-aU2TCuaPhgQ_Csf0-kvwycpOxD__iTo3_6rPpG0u8VDKX5Hj5NUVBCU1SDczFMVUZ_iyuFRb8t4dY0biExqqyId1X45CzNuc9Wxnd3lTvTYRnVqMPGoviQ8/s400/Arugula+Salad+stonegableblog.com+4.jpg" width="400" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">WEDNESDAY</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://sites.google.com/site/stonegableprintablerecipes/prosciutto-wrapped-tilapia-from-stonegable-s-kitchen" target="_blank">PROSCIUTTO WRAPPED TILAPIA WITH MANGO SALSA</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://sites.google.com/site/stonegableprintablerecipes/brussel-sprout-slaw" target="_blank">BRUSSEL SPROUT SLAW</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSk5ycp6oF0Uan_JTAvg6NFu1gI_bGofJpBoMrcw1aW3DPRpzoyfBhiENtn6zm334KdmYYhVIHmSNyM4zX6su7_XMADbEqQTivxh32Tvf0D0xxmJeuzXuJDDs5IQFSZf5ZCWOu_cNnNBPI/s1600/Brussels+Sprouts+Slaw+FB.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSk5ycp6oF0Uan_JTAvg6NFu1gI_bGofJpBoMrcw1aW3DPRpzoyfBhiENtn6zm334KdmYYhVIHmSNyM4zX6su7_XMADbEqQTivxh32Tvf0D0xxmJeuzXuJDDs5IQFSZf5ZCWOu_cNnNBPI/s400/Brussels+Sprouts+Slaw+FB.png" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>THURSDAY</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.stonegableblog.com/2013/07/spicy-bbq-oven-ribs.html" target="_blank">SPICY OVEN SHORT RIBS</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Garlic Mashed Potatoes</div><div style="text-align: center;">Braised Cabbage with Bacon</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLShIUhUIfeV7Eksz90CMXxJSy8mM3AQQG4dBt6Q_opLLMYjZ6qobdEWEYN8ltC1vP7-kwmGpje6Q3CYq5GTLf6_YuAEI3DddqX379v0hiBGzT_csRdT4zKo64in2SMXezdxq5yd81EC9D/s400/BBQ+SPICY+RIBS+stonegableblog.com+4.jpg" width="266" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">FRIDAY</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.stonegableblog.com/2010/02/spicy-sausage-spinach-cheese-ravioli.html" target="_blank">SPICY SAUSAGE, SPINACH, CHEESE RAVIOLI LASAGNA</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.stonegableblog.com/2011/08/caprese-towers-summer-on-plate.html" target="_blank">CAPRESE SALAD</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Crusty Bread</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNBPCW-bir2oYqoryXKLTKv78px9xUYpPZ9-cn4W7Qu4J5sG4-kGK0KkqVoHpynhek_pM_DP5ESKYSkqiQwKOVHHkGhI8kguLVM6FNRde0a3hX9pKaQBhvXDFg7XFQoCKosM8t-XNkfXb/s1600/DSC02065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNBPCW-bir2oYqoryXKLTKv78px9xUYpPZ9-cn4W7Qu4J5sG4-kGK0KkqVoHpynhek_pM_DP5ESKYSkqiQwKOVHHkGhI8kguLVM6FNRde0a3hX9pKaQBhvXDFg7XFQoCKosM8t-XNkfXb/s400/DSC02065.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">SATURDAY~ SOUP DAY</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.stonegableblog.com/2010/10/stonegable-loaded-baked-potato-soup.html" target="_blank">LOADED BAKED POTATO SOUP</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Veggie Sticks</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIgtoNdhWP1aBjILG7KQKWBN3-BVCzbqW7Pg1QuV7FSX4fPLVMsvwYideBRFWYQu4Z3lK4qubvjtOH0BZgi1YAnnSOS7WhNj8x0JtDzJKJHmYHONUoHNl0BkoKVz9Raa9MVt7SGoKTk8-/s1600/BLOG+Loaded+Baked+Potato+Soup+Title+Page+1+stonegableblog.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIgtoNdhWP1aBjILG7KQKWBN3-BVCzbqW7Pg1QuV7FSX4fPLVMsvwYideBRFWYQu4Z3lK4qubvjtOH0BZgi1YAnnSOS7WhNj8x0JtDzJKJHmYHONUoHNl0BkoKVz9Raa9MVt7SGoKTk8-/s400/BLOG+Loaded+Baked+Potato+Soup+Title+Page+1+stonegableblog.com.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">SUNDAY</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://sites.google.com/site/stonegableprintablerecipes/clam-packages-with-garlic-butter" target="_blank">CLAM PACKAGES WITH GARLIC BUTTER</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Crusty Bread For Dipping</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://sites.google.com/site/stonegableprintablerecipes/wedge-salad-from-stonegable-s-kitchen-1" target="_blank">STONEGABLE WEDGE SALAD</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSh4Yy_1S1pVEjjw9G6KcuC4kVFSYbvyOsYyzDjmrdv1bMFx3pFZe8Bn-GeQSYV3mKg5Fz3eenm5cXXmv1fR51Ns8Ts0oZ0XTtKIb6r4FupWFKsR8RkAx5m2uqASQRdJrOnX5SvHfM82FO/s1600/Copy+of+IMG_9468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSh4Yy_1S1pVEjjw9G6KcuC4kVFSYbvyOsYyzDjmrdv1bMFx3pFZe8Bn-GeQSYV3mKg5Fz3eenm5cXXmv1fR51Ns8Ts0oZ0XTtKIb6r4FupWFKsR8RkAx5m2uqASQRdJrOnX5SvHfM82FO/s320/Copy+of+IMG_9468.JPG" width="228" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here are some other goodies I'm making this week...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.stonegableblog.com/2010/02/easy-fruit-flan.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">EASY FRUIT FLAN</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtp5EMf6VmjCICHllGQzjBEoyDpgpVBVn4k0Jte8ohFM4643DEEkAYnZGr8lCP5bZxIJDKCNGSxOSzp0mnam-1qluLQtBnwbgzajY7addgFHpU7U1q5r6bz17zL8NmKArgKi4a_wEh8vCY/s1600/IMG_0536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtp5EMf6VmjCICHllGQzjBEoyDpgpVBVn4k0Jte8ohFM4643DEEkAYnZGr8lCP5bZxIJDKCNGSxOSzp0mnam-1qluLQtBnwbgzajY7addgFHpU7U1q5r6bz17zL8NmKArgKi4a_wEh8vCY/s320/IMG_0536.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.stonegableblog.com/2013/05/kicked-up-chex-mix.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">KICKED UP CHEX MIX</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1NqzZDndBsuFe4-OACxyVD98jxty74smAmbiwgyrAksFrqpRwu_iGTflHwVlKWJFBChlcnATWyyIODfr0sDp5hlvcxHMW1WYqB0q9noZcuKvHwh3x63jm2JW-V9oDZiZeEWE7-kcXgf5Y/s1600/Chex+Mix+@+StoneGableblog.com++4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1NqzZDndBsuFe4-OACxyVD98jxty74smAmbiwgyrAksFrqpRwu_iGTflHwVlKWJFBChlcnATWyyIODfr0sDp5hlvcxHMW1WYqB0q9noZcuKvHwh3x63jm2JW-V9oDZiZeEWE7-kcXgf5Y/s320/Chex+Mix+@+StoneGableblog.com++4.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.stonegableblog.com/2012/07/dutch-babies-mini-version.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">MINI DUTCH BABIES</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTjT5WDeO2WaHKtPl3IGWlOnK_m_2JCQjvTiD9gN3baVOgTG7Nl_xyln3WYRVJAC7DjWHKhgMqn0fzV4R0aP39xBbsP660u6z_sdD88v6JlTrodhDSiiepLIPTcbJORohyYy9dm9E34wyy/s1600/Copy+of+IMG_9049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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ON THE MENU MONDAY~ WEEK OF DECEMBER 2, 2013

Hi Friends! Can you believe it's already December? Only 23 days until Christmas! No one is more aware of the calendar than I am! As I am...

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THANKING GOD WITH YOUR WHOLE HEART

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-PKBxpIDXOC6igU3NHCm8Rj-wb0RKhVsl2AQ_ucsm_hIMqhI8M2egWMEPP9miIMygYLTvlgiKD_CmtCql47QDLz8bAEgqSCYxfDhzW4AGF2UaqF4ZEvhHl1MK_YKLccbnC_J2LbrCkFM0/s1600/SS+12-1-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-PKBxpIDXOC6igU3NHCm8Rj-wb0RKhVsl2AQ_ucsm_hIMqhI8M2egWMEPP9miIMygYLTvlgiKD_CmtCql47QDLz8bAEgqSCYxfDhzW4AGF2UaqF4ZEvhHl1MK_YKLccbnC_J2LbrCkFM0/s640/SS+12-1-13.jpg" width="432" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;">photo credit: <a href="http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/agree-terms.php" target="_blank">nuchylee</a></span><br /><br /><i>Today's Sunday Scripture was originally prepared last week, but due to my surgery recovery it was not posted. I think it is still applicable as we go into the Advent season.</i><br /><br /><br />I recently did a survey on my Facebook page and asked...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"WHAT IS YOUR VERY FAVORITE HOLIDAY?"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Not surprising to me, the #1 favorite holiday was...</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><a name="more"></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">THANKSGIVING</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">by a long shot! It was almost a runaway!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday too, with Christmas a very close second!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thanksgiving is an All-American holiday. First celebrated in the fall of  1621 by the Pilgrims and the Indians as a day to thank God and remember all that God had done for them.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our beloved first president George Washington, called for Thursday Nov. 26, 1789 to be a national day of public prayer and thanksgiving to God</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> "</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">to especially give thanks for the opportunity to form a new</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> nation and the establishment of a new constitution".</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">In 1863 President Lincoln issued a THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION that the last Thursday in November be set aside for thanksgiving.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Every president up until FD Roosevelt issued their own Thanksgiving Proclamation.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In 1939, President Roosevelt declared the second to last Thursday in November be a day of National Thanksgiving and Congress passed a law declaring that Thanksgiving would be celebrated every year on the second to last Thursday of November.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thanksgiving is a religious holiday! A time to thank God for all we have and for the blessing of our country.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But, setting aside a day to give thanks to God is not unique to our country.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Many countries have set aside a day to thank God!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Bible tells us to give thanks to God on an ongoing basis for everything!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">I will give thanks to Thee, O LORD with all my heart. I will show forth all Your marvelous works!</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ps 9:1</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is a scripture verse worth remembering.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Written in it's original Hebrew this verse is resplendent with beautiful word imagery!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The word to give thanks (or in some translations to praise) is the word YADAH (pronounced yaw-daw'). It's original meaning is to throw, to shoot, to cast or to hold up the hands. It carries with it the image of lifting our hands in the air and to shake them with thanks!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Its a word that carries an action with it!!!! It's like giving thanks to God is a whole body experience that ends in our fingers extended and casting out thanks to the Lord.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Beautiful, isn't it?<br /><br />And here's something else that will give greater meaning to this verse...<br /><br />the heart (leb in Hebrew, pronounced lebe') to the ancients was the seat of all emotion, intellect, will and the mind. All the parts of us that cannot be seen!  It's the, I love this description,  "the ELSEWHERE of man"... the inner man that cannot be seen but is what makes us unique!<br /><br />We are to thank God with all of our emotion, all of our intellect, all of our will, and with all of our thinking mind! AMAZING!<br /><br />Now couple this with the act of thanking God with our hands strained towards the heavens and our fingertips shaking out praises to God and you've got the picture of what it looks like to thank God!<br /><br />What a word picture for THANKFULNESS!<br /><br />Can you imagine how that would rock most of today's modern church services?<br /><br />I think the important take away from this word picture of thanking God is that it should be a whole body and mind activity. I'm not saying we have to shake and shimmy and quake as we pray... but our whole self should be straining and seeking God as we give thanks... maybe not outwardly, but certainly inwardly!<br /><br />A couple of week's ago I wrote about<span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://www.stonegableblog.com/2013/11/sunday-scripture-life-straining-towards.html" target="_blank">A LIFE STRAINING TOWARDS GOD</a></span>. And a quote really struck a cord with a lot of my readers...<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">KNOW BEFORE WHOM YOU STAND</span><br /><br />This little phrase is very applicable when we give thanks! When we really focus on the Object of our blessings we can thank Him with our whole selves!<br /><br /><br /><br />As we give thanks this Thanksgiving and move towards Christmas, let's remember to be thankful with our with every fiber of who we are!</div></div>

THANKING GOD WITH YOUR WHOLE HEART

photo credit:  nuchylee Today's Sunday Scripture was originally prepared last week, but due to my surgery recovery it was not posted. I ...

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