Growing up, my mother often tried out new casserole and soup recipes that she would test on the family. (Actually, sometimes I think they were recipes, and other times they were leftovers from the fridge thrown into a pot.) Nonetheless, I grew up delighting my taste buds to recipes that wafted through the house as they simmered from the stove top.

It wasn’t until recently when I was combing through my recipe box that I came across mom’s Hamburger Soup recipe. It’s kind of a “throw everything in a pot” recipe, but it certainly warms my soul on a cool winter evening with its mixture of hamburger, veggies and potatoes. The hubby even gave it two thumbs up when I made it for him the first time.

Hamburger Soup
2 pounds ground beef, browned
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped carrots
1 cup chopped potatoes
1 cup chopped cabbage
2 cans diced tomatoes
1 cup fresh sliced mushrooms
¼ cup rice
3 teaspoons salt
¼ cup vinegar
Combine all the ingredients into a crockpot. Add about 1 cup water to the mixture – more if you like it more broth-based. Cook for at least four hours on low.

While I’m thankful I get to spend Thanksgiving with my family this year, it’s also a day where I need to give thanks for all the blessings that I’ve been given. The past six months have shown me that prayers do come true, both in life and in love.

Six months ago, my husband and I started on a new path down life’s journey. We both left our jobs in the newspaper industry after more than 11 years and found ourselves excited for life’s new adventures. I found my dream job working in communications, public relations and event planning. For the first time in a while, I find myself excited to get up every morning to see what the day will bring. I’m anxious for what the future entails and for the new opportunities it will bring into my life.

As I was finding my new way, my husband started down a path completely unknown to him. Since January, he’s been hitting the books in preparation for nursing school next year – a new career that has him excited about helping others. He took a certified nurse aide course throughout the summer, as I watched with glee when he talked about helping nursing home residents. Then, just two weeks ago, he started working at a local hospital, observing first-hand the act of caring for patients. While he still has a couple of years to go toward his nursing degree, the hospital training is exactly what was ordered. He’s full of passion and excitement for each new day.
I’m so encourage by his appetite for a new career that I can’t help but smile. I’m thankful for his endless love and his ability to stand by me through thick and thin.

I’m thankful for a loving family that has supported us throughout the past few years – even as times got tough. But no matter how many calls I made, they were always there to listen.

Thank you to each and every one of you who helped us this year, whether it was through a cheerful call, a hug or a prayer. While the road may still have some bumps for us, we’re certainly on our way.