Giving Thanks

My sister Elizabeth, who is also my next door neighbor, opened her lovely home to us again this year for Thanksgiving. She made it a truly enjoyable and relaxing time for all.

Liz always has a special eye for detail, as you can see in her homemade hors d'oeuvres and thoughtful table settings. Even the children's table (see above right) had homemade place cards, cloth napkins and fancy glasses for sparkling cider.

She made us all feel special.






We all enjoy cooking together and feasting on family favorites each year.

My mom is always in charge of preparing the "bird" as she calls it. And more years than not, I have heard her remind us that her father, our Grandaddy, always taught her to: "never stuff a cold bird with warm stuffing." It's something we stand for.

Mom always makes Grandaddy's sourdough and sausage dressing for us. The same recipe that we grew up on. The same recipe that has spoiled us for all others.

And yes, the stuffing is amazing, but part of it is remembering Grandaddy and knowing that we are part of a family. This family.




Several of us took turns peeling potatoes. We peeled too many, but as usual Dale and I were having fun catching up and talking "shop" while we worked. She is a school teacher and we love to share ideas that are working for us and dream about that curriculum we are going to write someday that will suit multiple age groups.

Dale has reminded me more than once that even when children are age segregated in the government classrooms are they are never all at the same grade level~ do you remember multiple reading groups in school? Teaching multiple levels is always the norm.



Grammie, Grandad and all the adults zipped outside with the children while the sun was out. Photo credit for these (and all the photos without my name) go to my brother-in-law Sven.


And here are our hosts, Liz and Sven. By the way, if you have a question about what type of phone, computer or other high tech item to buy, he is the guy to e-mail. He's a technology and internet security pro.




This is our other brother-in-law Jon, or "Uncle Jon" as he is referred to most often. He always takes time to play with the kids which scores big points with all of us.



And me with my dear husband Tommy. I am wearing the pearl set he bought for me several Christmases ago and the girls love too ooh and aah over it. "It's real gold" they tell each other. So very impressed at the "realness" of it.

They were with Tommy when he picked it out. And if I remember correctly Liz and I were shopping in the same mall so Tom and the girls had to duck behind the jewelry counter so we wouldn't spot them. It always makes me smile to think of it.



After our meal, the adults enjoyed delicious pies (baked by Faith) while we watched a darling play written and performed by the cousins. It was really wonderful. The performance went off without a hitch! Here are the Pilgrims and Indians at the first Thanksgiving.





Then later, nursing Chief Massasoit back to health.

"Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him all creatures here below.
Praise Him above ye heavenly host.
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost."

We have much to be thankful for. Amen.




Richest blessings,