thanks & giving

My two fave holidays in a row...starting with Thanksgiving. What could possibly be better than a holiday celebrating the giving of thanks for all that we have? And...to add to the fun, it's all about the "feast", which means lots of cooking, one of my all time favorite things to do -- along with eating, of course. And then to spend it with family and/or friends -- well, seriously, what better way is there to spend a day than to eat a scrumptious meal with people you love?

We are lucky enough to finally be living in an area where we feel more than welcome -- which is so very refreshing after many years living in areas where we didn't feel so welcome. We enjoyed a feast at a friend's home, which made for an incredibly easy Thanksgiving Day for me. All I had to do was cook all day while I watched The Parade and The Dog Show (with about the most adorable Golden Retriever I've seen since my own JoiVie..although he didn't win. But he shoulda.), and then leave. No preparing my home for guests, no setting of table, no nuthin' but cooking at a leisurely pace. Ahhh. It was nice. Here is what I was cookin' up:

Cider Glazed Sweet Potatoes with Cranberries


Wild Rice Yorkshire Pudding


Pumpkin Meringue Pie

The entire meal was yum-o-licious. I am so very thankful for friends who include us in their festivities!!!! I am also thankful for:
~ Jim keeping his job (and Jim, of course!)
~ my health, as well of the good health of all of those I love so dearly
~ all of the incredible friends we have met in New Hampshire
~ our home
~ my parents and siblings who are each so inspirational to me in so many, many ways
~ my country and its military which provide the freedoms and the safety of living my life however the heck I want
~ my healthy, happy, joyful children

What my boy is thankful for:


One of my sisters had her daughter read this at their Thanksgiving table and I must share it for obvious reasons:

Be thankful...
Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire.
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don't know something,
for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations,
because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge,
because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes.
They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you're tired and weary,
because it means you've made a difference.

It's easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who
are also thankful for the setbacks.

Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles,
and they can become your blessings.
~Author Unknown~

'Nuf said.