Thanksgiving, Take 2

Today marks the first Sunday of Advent, a time of darkness and a time of preparation while we wait for the Light, Christmas...



Today was the Annual After Thanksgiving Thanksgiving held at Karole and Al's home, a lovely old home built in 1860, in what I believe they call Federal style. The reason for this gathering arose because Karole has 7 married children all with families with varying plans for the holiday. So it was decided we would all get together the Sunday after...and a wonderful time it is. Tables and chairs are set up in every possible room because the dining room will not accommodate everyone. Today's weather helped by being pretty mild which allowed some of the older children to eat on the deck at the picnic table. A great day of good friends, good food and good conversation...a satisfying day, one in which one sees tangible reasons to be grateful. The photo above is her beautiful dining room that is cozy and lit with many hand dipped candles...it just envelopes us with love.

"My friends are my estate."
~ Emily Dickinson

Thanks for reading...Have a blessed evening...Peace

Thankgiving Night

It is almost midnight and I am thinking about the day we had and my heart is full. The food was plentiful. We were together with love and cooperation. No one felt overworked. There was even a little backlog for the oven in order to heat things up, but no problem, no one became impatient. Julie even had a grease fire in her oven which meant some things had to come back here to finish heating. Good thing my home is only 5 houses away from hers...but it all came together and we were are seated and eating, talking and as usual, laughing together.

My grandson graced us with a little music today. He is a senior this year and thinking about college. The plan is study music and teach. So tonight his dad, my son called after we had all gone home to let me know that they had started the application process online with three colleges here in state. It is exciting to hear their plans and watch as they carry them out.

One of my grandson's started college this fall and he is studying art. It was so cool when he asked last night if I wanted to see his work so far, as he had brought home his portfolio to finish a project for his design class. Are you kidding me...of course I want to see it all! So yes, it is great to be able to share their lives. Six grandsons and one grand daughter and I am very proud of them all. Rachel announced tonight that she is going to audition at a local theater for an up and coming production. Theater has always been her passion. So maybe that is what I am so pleased about, thankful for... that they have passions and they are going after them. Another in college exploring and has mentioned some interest in engineering another just beginning high school who loves sports and has already asked me about college and sports. Then there is the one leaving in January for the Army. We will be listening closely Tuesday evening when the President speaks from West Point...He tried Magic Cookie Bars and loved them so you know one of the things I'll be shipping regularly. My oldest grandson is still trying to find his own way. So there are seven people I am thankful for...but then I have a very long list.

I am a grateful woman tonight, as I said, my heart is full. We were missing a few people at the table but prayed for them and our gratefulness for what we did have this year...That is all one can do.

I get to do this again on Sunday. My friend holds Thanksgiving II her children, friends, children of friends, for all of us to be together as everyone does so many different things on Thanksgiving Day. So let the season begin...
Thanks for reading. Peace...

Grateful ...

This morning as I was beginning to wake up my best friend came up beside me quietly and leaned against me. What a moment... a peaceful sweet moment. My mug of hot coffee and my dog...it was all I needed. It perfect way to start this busy day. Simplicity...


Well, it is almost upon us and I have put the farm table to use as is. I have been pretty busy all day cooking and my assistant never left my side. She has finally given up and gone to bed. I still have two pumpkin pies in the oven and still thinking about what I want to eat. Tonight when my daughters left I went out and bought my protein part of my plate and vegan gravy mix. I have had the Quorn turk'y roast before at someone's home and it was very good. I only have the roasted vegetables to do in the morning. I am the only vegetarian in my family so it falls on me to take care of what I need for a holiday or cook-outs in the summer. My family and friends know and are usually pretty accommodating when I am invited to their homes for a meal or I simply bring
something, it's not a big deal.

Maggie tried singing for anything that resembles food and Amy tagging along just in case there is some action. My daughters are singing with her.


That's it for today. Have a great day tomorrow. Thanks for reading...Peace

Tuesday Thoughts

Man, this sleeve. Who ever heard of a sleeve warranting all of this attention, blog time, my time, and knitting time. The sweater has been hanging around for a few years now, I am ashamed to say, so I am anxious to get it done. Yesterday I made great progress...today, however was another matter. I picked it up and didn't bother to check my chart and off I went, found a mistake, fixed it and I just continued to knit...then I thought I'd better get my chart caught up with my markers and there it was, I neglected a bobble...oh for crying out loud, and believe me I felt like crying. So I ripped it back two rows and put it aside. Tomorrow is another day. So no photo of more progress tonight.

I picked up a book at the library I had reserved. It is Half The Sky by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. There is also an interesting website. The byline states 'turning oppression into opportunity for women worldwide'.

Not much to add other than I am looking forward to Thanksgiving. I have decided where it is held is not half as important as that we are all together. Julie went shopping and delivered the food tonight that I will be preparing tomorrow while she is at work. So far it looks like I will be making some pumpkin pies, stuffing, roasted vegetables, tomato sauce, lasagna, and the famous(in my family) Magic Cookie Bars. Julie will do the turkey and gravy and mashed potatoes and squash soup. So we have a plan. That feels better. Twenty four hours ago it was still too vague for me... Who knew, I need a plan...Julie and maybe Cheryl will come over tomorrow night and we will have fried breaded cauliflower together and finish any last minute things, but just relax together, hopefully. The Magic Cookie Bars will be tasted, they always are. But that is the fun of the holiday. My Grandson leaves for basic training in the Army after the holidays so we want these holidays to be special, good memories for him and for us, as we are not sure where he will be stationed( well yes, I do possibly, but I don't like to think about it just yet) and yes, so this needs to be just right we have determined.

Have a good evening. Thanks for reading. Peace.

Another Grey Monday...

Here it is the Monday before Thanksgiving and it feels very strange that I am not having dinner here. I am a little disoriented with the change...not sure how I feel about it. It happened because of all of the changes that took place in my house over the past few months. It began with my husband and son playing at remodeling my kitchen last November, yes a year ago. It never got really finished, it should have never been started...and that's all I am going to say about that. Then I moved my studio into the living room during the summer. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but as soon as I did it I knew it was a mistake...too late, I gave up my original room. The room I am in now just is not conducive for quiet thinking or planning and carrying out whatever, I am less productive than ever...My family still thinks living room... they walk in, open the blinds or the door, stop and talk, the wood stove needs to be fed , it is off the kitchen, just a wrong move...so I am still working this out...a cause of much frustration to be sure. The ideal would be an addition on my home, but of course, that won't be happening...Too bad, because it looks great in my head.

So dinner will be at my daughter's house and that will be OK. Has to be as not much I can do about it now. It did not go unnoticed by my kids that the house shrank considerably this year. I will still be doing some cooking here and schlep it all over there.

Picked up my knitting this evening and made some significant progress for which I am pleased. So if I can keep up the pace...

I'd like to end my post today by sharing a nice story I read online today that will make you smile...

Have a good evening. Thanks for reading, although I don't think anybody is...In any case, peace to any one who happens by...