I think this year has been one of the most pleasant and restful Thanksgiving days I have ever had.  Granted, the "holiday weekend" isn't over yet, but I'm grateful for today.

I shared my Thanksgiving meal today with Mama, my daughter, and a friend at Golden Corral.  The meal was delicious and we got there just in time before the huge crowd rolled in.  During our meal, my 7 year old asked what we were thankful for.  Of course, I had to be first, and I replied I was thankful for a good meal (that I didn't have to prepare).  My friend was next, and he replied he was thankful for his family.  Mama was next and she was thankful for her good health and not being in the hospital this holiday season.  My 7 year old's answer topped us all...  "God, Jesus, Mama, Grandmother, and our friend".  Whew, out of the mouths of babes, right?

Mama and I had dinner at Sonny's the other night and we ordered our turkey for our dinner on Saturday.  I decided to pay the extra 6 bucks to have it sliced so we wouldn't have to deal with the carcass.  I remarked that I thought we had done that before and that led to discussing what we did last year for Thanksgiving.  Do you know that we couldn't remember?  My daughter had 3 surgeries last year and Mama spent a good deal of time in the hospital, still having residual effects from her hip surgery the year before, and suffering from GI problems.  It all resulted in her having heart by-pass surgery around the 1st of December.  It was a very stressful year.  We never answered our question during the discussion because we just could not remember.  All I remember from last year was sitting/sleeping in the hospital and ICU waiting room.

Tonight, I found the answer.  I was looking for some photos for another blog and came across these I took last November.







How could I forget that I made this lovely pound cake?  Or that I had set my table?  It's a little scary.  It's almost as if events outside of medical visits and the hospital were wiped out.

We will be celebrating our "family" Thanksgiving dinner with Mama, my daughter, my son and his girlfriend, and my friend on Saturday at my mother's house.  My daughter loves family feasts and I know we will be ending our day Turkey-full and Thank-full for our family, our homes, and the presence of God in our lives.

Here's to all of those out there sharing their Thanksgiving memories.





DISCLAIMER:  This slideshow is a result of a Flickr photostream search for  "thanksgiving table, thanksgiving food, thanksgiving".  Most of the photos are beautiful and a record of wonderful memories, however, there are a few that are a little "off".  Please do not hold me responsible for any photos that may be offensive to you.  :)

Thanksgiving… the start of the holiday season. I love the smell of the crispness in the air and the anticipation of visiting with family and friends. Always with the thought in mind of giving thanks for another year. This year is a little more special than last year. Me, my then 6 year old daughter, my mother, and my aunt were all pretty sick. I spent a lot of time in doctor's offices and hospitals. I'm thankful that our health has improved vastly and we have spent minimal time fussing with medical issues.

Our Thanksgiving meals usually consist of turkey and pan cornbread dressing (not stuffing), peas, sweet potato casserole, maybe some creamed corn and some type of cold salad, cranberry sauce, rolls, and sweet tea. My favorite dessert is blueberry cream cheese pie. In years past, my favorites had been put aside for my then husband(s), whose favorites were pecan or pumpkin pie. Not my favorites, and I'd whine a little, but my bratty ways did not get me my blueberry pie. Now that I do not have a significant other tagging along, my favorite pie is back on the menu this year.

In years past, we have shared our thanksgiving celebration with extended family members... aunts and uncles and cousins. It would be a family hopping event that would usually last several days. I absolutely recommend good food and family to celebrate the start of the holiday season.


My 7 year old daughter has not fully grasped the "real" reason for thanksgiving. All she knows is we are giving thanks and having a family feast. She has been celebrating with feasts since last Wednesday when we shared a meal with our church family (which was absolutely delicious). Then she had a feast at school on Thursday. This year on Thanksgiving Day, it will be just my mother, my daughter and I, and we may just hit up Cracker Barrell or Golden Corral. My 23 year old son will be celebrating with his dad's family. On Saturday morning, our "family feast" will begin, with me learning how to make pan cornbread dressing. We will enjoy a smoked turkey from Sonny's and spend quality time with my son.


My thoughts this Thanksgiving continue to pray for those separated by war and tragedy, and I only wish for all a happy, blessed Thanksgiving.