Here we are, a week before Thanksgiving (as of me writing). How is this even possible? As I drove Ty to school the other morning, the sunrise was remarkable. The scenery we saw just told us it was mid-November. It would have been the perfect photo for a November calendar. As we crested farther up the road, more of the mountains started showing. Fog settled in the hollow, and the sun was beaming through it into the fields. A buck chased four doe to the left of us, and to the right were two horses feasting on their morning breakfast. Most trees were bare, but a few were still holding on to their fall foliage. The scenery was truly incredible. The oranges, yellows, and browns still left on the trees were glowing from the brightness of the sun. I just wanted to take it in, as the last few leaves would soon be on the ground.

These simple pleasures in life are free to us. We just have to take the time to notice. I am just thankful for mornings with scenery like that. It just started my day out with a feel-good moment. When my fourteen-year-old took a picture on his phone, that should tell you how picturesque it was.

I’m thankful for the birds in the spring who sing me a song on our front porch. I’m thankful for that first bloom I find walking in our woods in early spring. Thankful for feeling the warmth of the sun on my face after a long winter. The coolness of the river, fireworks in the sky, crisp, cold watermelon, smell of fresh cut grass, the sound of crickets at night, and the glowing flickers of the summer sky of fireflies in mid-summer.

I’m thankful.

The gorgeous trees, the crispness of the air, glowing pumpkins, killer sunrises, and the sound of flowing corn stalks in the fall. The silence of a winter’s night with light falling snow. The way you sleep all night and wake up to snow stuck onto every single tree as far as you can see. The way seeing a snowman in someone’s yard makes me smile.

Thankful.
I’m thankful for:
– For the smile on my children’s faces.
– For sunsets on the highway while riding my motorcycle.
– For weekend dinners with our group of friends.
– For making someone smile or laugh.
– For hot tea on a cold morning.
– For the smell of an amazing candle.
– For the joy of my dog Bear when I arrive home.
– For the smell of sheets hanging out on the clothesline all day.
– For hearing the right song at the exact right time.
– For a hot shower after a really long day (or a cold shower after a hot upper lip sweat kinda day! HA!)
– In the morning, I can sleep in.
– For the smell of Momma’s baked cookies.
– For the sound and comfort of rain.
– For the meals with my family around the table.
– For my husband grabbing my hand while driving in the car.
– For the feeling after a good workout.
– For the smell of a roast cooking in my crockpot.
– For freshly painted fingernails.
– For summer days with my family, just floating in our boat on the Susquehanna.
– For my dad always telling me to drive safely.
– For a clean house.
– For my children’s voices saying, “I love you.”

I could just go on and on with things like this. These are things that are just simple joys in my life that I don’t take for granted. Ninety percent of them do not cost a thing.

What are your life’s simple pleasures? Don’t take anything for granted. I’m just so grateful for the people in life and the simple joys.

I am so blessed with an incredible family who is always there for me.

I have seriously the best of friends anyone could ever ask for.

The two best children and sweetest dog.

The hottest, most kind husband and jobs that I absolutely love and feel so appreciated. I am truly blessed.

Take time to sit and think of some of your life’s simple pleasures and blessings this week as we celebrate Thanksgiving. Give thanks and gratitude. Tell family and friends you love them, and you are thankful for them. It’s the season of Thanksgiving; let’s be thankful for all things great and small. Everyone has something to be thankful for; what’s yours?

And guess what? I am so thankful for you! Thank you for taking the time to sit and read not only my column each week but my Webb Weekly family’s, too! We can’t thank you all enough for your love and support of this wonderful paper. I am truly blessed to work for such an amazing person like Jim Webb and to know everyone who puts this paper together. Thankful for my Webb family and thankful for our readers! Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

No Bake Marshmallow Pumpkin Pie
Ingredients:
The crust:
• 2 cups ginger snap cookie crumbs
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) of melted butter
The fillin’:
• 8-oz. block of cream cheese; softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 cup of marshmallow creme
• 8-oz. tub of cool whip (get extra for garnish if you want it)
Directions:

Place gingersnap cookies in a big Ziplock bag and roll with roller until nice and crumbled. Combine the gingersnap cookie crumbs and melted butter in a mixing bowl and mix together until the crumbs are moist and evenly coated. Pour the crumb mixture into a pie dish, packing it tightly with a spoon.

Place in fridge for 30 minutes.

In a large mixing bowl cream together cream cheese, powdered sugar & vanilla extract using a stand mixer or electric handheld mixer. Cream ingredients together until smooth and thoroughly combined. Add in pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon. Continue mixing on medium speed until smooth and thoroughly combined. Slowly add in marshmallow creme and mix until thoroughly combined with the pumpkin filling. Finally, add in the cool whip, folding by hand till completely mixed through.

Pour pie filling over cookie crust. Allow the pie to chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or so. Garnish with cool whip and sprinkles.