Lucky Girl

I'm not sure how I got to be so lucky...

Do you ever wonder about that too?

My students during our class meeting this week,
wanted to share what they were doing for Thanksgiving
and the things that they were thankful for in their lives.
The first share was easy...filled with food, family, and football watching.
The second share was more difficult and definitely understandable
if you knew some of the worlds that they live in.
Some gave silly answers about socks, phones,
and the caramel lollipop in their binder,
while others actually said family or friends.
It's not always easy to see the good in your life
when it isn't really that great to begin with.
I guess I've always been one to look at the bright side.
You're probably shocked by that,
but it's true...I only get "humbug" at certain things,
and in those cases run away.
Seriously, it's best for both of us if I'm alone. (Ha!)
But I'm a glass is half-full kind of gal.

When it got to my spot in the circle to share what I'm thankful for,
it was easy.
I'm so thankful to my people.
Yep, they're mine and they're all around me.

I often look around and see the people that are in my life
and smile big.
They fill me up with all that I need.

Seriously, how did I get so lucky?

When I look around myself
I see;
-faces with the biggest, most loving smiles
-arms ready to embrace you in hugs that make you feel special
-hands that want to help others
-willing hearts that see needs and work to make those needs less
-people of action, not just talk

I hear;
-laughter, unashamed at it's volume and duration
-kind and encouraging words
-whispers of love to animals that drink in every syllable
-instructions to make things better
-decisive decisions that weigh the best interest of others
-knowledgable expertise

I feel;
-encouragement
-belief that things are and will be okay
-happy
-endless joy

AND LOVE.  So much love.

See, I'm really lucky.
I know it and I'm thankful for it all.
What are you thankful for?
Unsure?
Just look around you, it's there.
And it doesn't have to be big.
Often the best things in the world are in the items
we can own and hold,
it's in the people and how they impact your life.

Wishing you love and peace this Thanksgiving.

Must Have Pie, Must Spread Love

Some people love Thanksgiving for the turkey and gravy,

fresh cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, and all the trimmings

Others love it for the time with family and friends...

All of those things are great, 

but for me,

it's all about making and enjoying homemade pies.

I don't think that I'm alone in this feeling at all.

A holiday just isn't the same without pie.

Do you need a little pie for your feast?

I have practiced for many years and learned the perfect way to cram 

as much love and joy into every morsel and crumb.

People often say, 

"Why does this taste so good?"

And I think it's because of the love.

For each pie you order, 

the money goes straight to help animals in local shelters.

I can't think of a better way to celebrate a holiday of giving than to give to others.

Can you?

Maybe you should order a pie and taste the difference love in the tummy and heart feels.

Believe me, nothing is sweeter than helping others.

I'm still taking orders for pies until Friday, November 21st.

All money from this sale goes to PAWS Animal Shelter in West Linn, Oregon.

It's a little, but mighty shelter that takes in abandoned and homeless animals.

Recently sweet Henry Travers was just that, abandoned and homeless.

He had a UPS driver that couldn't walk away and leave this dog...

got to love those guys with hearts like my dad.

Henry was saved through a series of caring people from certain death, 

brought into PAWS, and the loving hands of a foster family.  

Though these pictures are difficult to see, 

he is on the road to recovery and a life worth barking about.

Want more information about PAWS Animal Shelter and follow Henry's road to recovery?

Like PAWS' Facebook page at

https://www.facebook.com/PAWSOregon
Above pictures are from PAWS Facebook page.  Isn't he the cutest?

Need help with holiday baking?

Sure you do!

Well, maybe you do,

and if that's the case then I can help you out.

Thanksgiving Pies

To show how thankful I am to the animals in my life,

I'm going to make holiday pies and limited treats

and sell them to raise money for a local charity.

This year I've decided to select a little,

yet super big hearted charity in my little town of West Linn.

PAWS Animal Shelter
They are little, but mighty and this year I want to send a little love their way.
So who is this group?
Here the description from their Facebook page;

PAWS Animal Shelter is a non-profit pet adoption center in West Linn, Oregon.
We specialize in ORPHANED animals. ( an animal who is too young to survive without a mother)

Description

...specialize in caring for ORPHANED (newborn) Animals ~big or small~ as well as providing Tender Loving Care for homeless, unwanted, or abandoned animals.
~ Education is important to us. Pet ownership is a responsibility, not to be taken lightly. With any responsibility comes challenges along with joy.
We work with people to get through the difficulties in order to keep their pets....and are firm believers that doing the right thing is not usually the easy way out...But it is the right way to live.

It's that time of year again...pie time!
Of course, I like to think that pies can happen at any time of the year.  But my flavor choices get a little smaller at this time of the year since I only use products that are in-season and fresh.  I think that is what makes my pies so delicious.  Well, that and all of the love that I squish into every nook and cranny.

If you are new to my blog and my bake sales,
then you should know a couple things.

• First, I am not a commercial bakery, all items are made in my home. I make baked goods because I LOVE to bake.
• Second, I also ADORE dogs so all of the profits from the pies and treats are donated to Fences for Fido. 
• Thirdly, if there is something that you don't see on this list, it's because I have a modified menu of treats for Thanksgiving.  I just want to make sure everyone has pie for the holiday. But that doesn't mean that you can't ask...special orders can always be made.  :)  

Holiday Pies: Classic, Vegan Classic, or Gluten-Free Classic

• Classic Pies are made with real butter and are Chambers family favorites.  All of the pies listed are classic pies.
• Vegan Classic are made with quality vegan substitutes that I have perfected and had taste tested and approved by several vegan connoisseurs.  They are made to mimic my classic pies, and it's so close that your family won't know that it's vegan. Vegan Pies options are labeled with V.
• Gluten-Free Classic are available this year in a couple different pies.  A big thank you to Bob's Red Mill for making the best baking flour in the world! Whoop! Whoop! Gluten-Free options are labeled with a GF.

Classic Pie Flavors:

• Apple Pie ($18.00) V or GF
• Pumpkin Pie ($15.00) GF
• Bourbon Pumpkin Pie ($15.00) GF
• Coconut Pie ($15.00)
• Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie ($18.00)V or GF
• Blackberry Pie ($18.00) V or GF
• Mixed Berry Pie ($18.00) V or GF
• Dutch Apple Pie ($18.00) V or GF
• Dutch Berry ($18.00) V or GF
• Pecan Pie ($18.00)
• Chocolate Cream Pie ($15.00) Graham Cracker or Pecan Crust

Notes to tempt:

       - 9 inch pie -this is the standard pie size, excellent for sharing :)
       - 6 pies are available by request only
       - Berries were picked in the Oregon sun 

TREATS, NOT PIE
Baklava- Large Order ($15.00)
Cinnamon Rolls- Dozen ($18.00)
Pumpkin Bread, glazed with or without pecans ($10.00)
Banana Bread, glazed with or without pecans ($10.00)
Cranberry-Orange Bread, glazed ($10.00)
Zucchini Bread, glazed ($10.00)


HOMEMADE JAMS
8oz jar = $3.50

Flavors:

Strawberry
Boysenberry
Marionberry
Raspberry
Triple Berry
Blueberry-Lime
Apple Butter
Pear Butter

All treats will be available for pick-up on either 

Wednesday, November 26, 2014 after 1pm

or

meet me at Kraxberger Middle School at noon.

Want to place a holiday order while supporting an amazing charity?
Email me your order at:
                 happygirlbaking@gmail.com

Payment: Cash, checks, or credit card through iSquare.

                            Please make all checks payable to PAWS Animal Shelter.

One Dollar at a Time

One dollar.
Seems simple enough.
A dollar.
Heck, there are entire stores dedicated to selling things for just one dollar.
Though it is just a dollar, pocket change really,
I think a dollar can do a lot when put into the right hands.

A dollar at a time.  That's what I aim for when I have a bake sale.

One dollar...or two...or 15...it all adds up to one thing.

Dollars joined together can really make a difference.

And in this case, each dollar added up to a fence of freedom for a dog.

Space to safely run. 

A simple request, but when your life consists of what is at the end of a chain, even simple things can seem unreachable.

When I bake, I think about the people that I'm making it for, 

because each person is special and important to me.

And I think about the dogs that it will help.

To me, baking is a joy and the ingredients that I use are just as important.

All summer I pick local berries for jams and pies.  

So when I make a pie, I know that each berry was picked at perfection...and with a lot of love.  

I really try to pack as much love as I can into each one. 

Hopefully you can tell the difference love makes. :)

 Mixed Berry Pie

Above: Gluten and Vegan Pumpkin Pie on the left, Vegan Only Pumpkin Pie on the right

Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies- a favorite treat. 

 

I love having a car filled with treats for people. 

It's the best feeling knowing that people will have happy hearts and tummies.

My mom even joined in the fun by making her famous Cinnamon Rolls.
She doesn't make them often, but she will always make them for my heart project of FFF.

The day before Thanksgiving was exhausting for me...
...so many pies and treats to make.
But all of the work crammed into 3 days was absolutely worth it.
When I finally took a moment to count up the donations, I was shocked.  Not only had I met my goal of raising enough money for a fence, I had exceeded. Nothing feels better than knowing that together we can make the difference in the lives of dogs.

So now with Thanksgiving in the past, what is a girl to do?
I'm sure you know what I'm doing...
Yep, planning treats for Christmas.
I definitely need to adapt some recipes to be completely vegan,
but this kind of work is energizing.
Even when I'm exhausted,
I just picture a dog waiting at the end of a chain for someone to come along and release him.
That is my motivation.

Now the big question...what treats to make?
:)  It's a difficult job, but I'm so thankful that it's mine.
And I'm thankful for you too.

Thanksgiving & Poker

The holidays...it's a difficult time of year for so many people.

Memories of the past, good, bad, or indifferent 

seem to spring to mind when the thermometer dips and the air is cold,

Maybe it's the longer evenings, 

maybe it's the bunking down that we do in our homes...

whatever it is that causes the memories, they flood in.

What makes Thanksgiving a favorite in my mind, 

is that there isn't an expectation of commercial excess. 

(The commercialism drives me crazy.)

Sure, people stuff themselves silly, 

but the only thing that's abundant is food and hopefully love. 

Though traditions vary, one thing is consistent...

It's a time when families and friends gather.

As far back as I can remember Thanksgiving was for food and cards. 

Yep we're a gambling family and we bet BIG.

But we'll let anyone to the table with two dollars...

See it's big money. ;) 

Nah, it's just big fun.

As soon as my nieces and nephew could read numbers and tell the different colors, 

then they could play cards.

Poker is the game.

We're old school.

But we don't just any any poker game, 

it's all about a game called Michigan Poker.

As a kid I remember being terrified the first, second, 

and well, every time I sat down with my aunts and uncles to play after the meal.

They meant business.

This wasn't a time to mess around.

When they played cards, they PLAYED CARDS. 

You really had to pay attention and move quickly.

No "fiddle-farting around." (As my Grandma would say.)

Just pay attention and call out your cards.

If you haven't played, well, you should. 

It's really fun and takes no real poker ability.

There's one true poker hand at the start.

That's it.

When I first started out, I was a little secret weapon.

See I had been playing cards with my grandma since I could hold them.

Most people look at me and think that I don't know anything.

And sure, I play along with that...for a bit.

But, then the gloves come off and the poker face is on.

I teach middle school.

 I know how to not laugh even when I really think what the kid did was funny.

Yeah, I've got a poker face.

It's just fun and I look forward to it every year.

Plus, you learn a lot about people.

Their tells, their bluffs, the way they handle winning and losing...

always good lessons.

So this Thanksgiving, spend time playing games.

Actually, just play...anything really that doesn't involve a TV, phone, or video game.

Don't plan or even think about Black Friday.

You don't really need it.

Just hang out with those you love.

Talk and laugh together.

Reconnect and remember why the character of people is important.

And it is the most important thing to me...

Be kind, be loving, and be generous.

You'll get more in return then you ever imagined possible.

Cheers to you and those you love.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Lori and Murphy

Need Pies for Thanksgiving?

It's that time of year again...pie time!
Of course, I like to think that pies can happen at any time of the year.  But my flavor choices get a little smaller at this time of the year since I only use products that are in-season and fresh.  I think that is what makes my pies so delicious.  Well, that and all of the love that I squish into every nook and cranny.

If you are new to my blog and my bake sales,
then you should know a couple things.

• First, I am not a commercial bakery, all items are made in my home. I make baked goods because I LOVE to bake.
• Second, I also ADORE dogs so all of the profits from the pies and treats are donated to Fences for Fido. 
• Thirdly, if there is something that you don't see on this list, it's because I have a modified menu of treats for Thanksgiving.  I just want to make sure everyone has pie for the holiday. But that doesn't mean that you can't ask...special orders can always be made.  :)  

Holiday Pies
Classic Pies are made with real butter
                   and are Chambers family favorites.
Classic Pie Flavors:

• Apple Pie
• Pumpkin Pie
• Bourbon Pumpkin Pie
• Mixed Berry Pie
• Dutch Apple Pie
• Apple Crisp
• Pecan Pie
• Chocolate Cream Pie

       PRICES:
       - 9 inch pie $12.00- this is the standard pie size, excellent for sharing :)
       - 6 pie $6.00- this is an excellent size for a 2-3 people.

Vegan Pies are made to mimic my classic pies...it's so close that your family won't know that it's vegan.
Vegan Pie Flavors:

• Apple Pie
• Pumpkin Pie
• Mixed Berry
• Dutch Apple Pie
• Apple Crisp (This can be made Gluten-Free as well!)
• Pecan Pie

       PRICES: Slightly higher than the Classic Pies due to vegan ingredients having a higher price point.

       - 9 inch pie $15.00- this is the standard pie size, excellent for sharing :)
       - 6 pie $7.50- this is an excellent size for a 2-3 people.

Not really wanting pie? 

Well, I will be offering a couple cookie options as well. 

Cookies:
-Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies with icing
-Pumpkin Snickerdoodles (Regular or Vegan)
-Ginger-Molasses (Regular or Vegan)
-Classic Chocolate Chip Cookie (Regular or Vegan)
-Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookie (Regular or Vegan)

** Cookies can be ordered by

                         - Full Containers will be $12.00
                                  (16-20ish cookies depending on cookie size)

                         - Half Containers will be $6.00
                                  (8-10ish cookies, depending on cookie size)

HOMEMADE JAMS
8oz jar = $3.50

Flavors:

Strawberry
Marionberry
Silvan (Marionberry Hybrid)
Cherry
Raspberry
Plum
Plum-Pear
Spiced Plum-Pear
Blueberry
Blueberry-Plum

All treats will be available for pick-up on either 

Tuesday, November 26, 2013 

or 

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

I will be delivering pies to Kraxberger Middle School on Tuesday, November 26,2013 at noon. 

Want to place a holiday order while supporting an amazing charity?
Email me your order at:
                        livesimplywithsparkle@gmail.com

Payment: Cash, checks, or credit card through iSquare.

                            Please make all checks payable to Fences for Fido.

Thank you for supporting this amazing cause! -Lori