Let There Be Thanks.. 2011

Ahhhh... Thanksgiving.  What a wonderful holiday!  It's all about home, family, love, cooking for your loved ones... and giving thanks for what you have.  We had a great day yesterday!!  Preparation starts weeks ahead with the lists.  Then the shopping, the cleaning, the cooking.  We spread the table with my new fall tablecloth.. after we put in the 5 leaves of my grandparents old oak 5 legged table.. and it was too small!  So, we found a bigger cloth and it actually worked with my Christmas dishes better! 

I had looked for Christmas dishes for years and actually found these at Fred Meyer - not a fancy brand at all, but they're porcelain and printed with plaid and lovely scenes.  I only put out the crystal goblets for the 6 adults. :-) 

OK, all set... The candelabra looked great with the table setting. 

And my little glazed majolica turkeys and the little glass turkey candle holders.

And finally the turkey is pulled from the oven.. Dayle's masterpiece, a 27 lb-er stuffed with his homemade sage dressing!  He puts butter and fresh sage leaves under the skin.

Here it is.. ready to carve. 

And here is my beloved husband, who I met when I was 14, who has survived so many things, not the least of which was cancer 2 1/2 years ago.  And whom I'm most thankful to have here, still, by my side.  (a moment of silence...)

Our son Shawn, his wife Beth, and their 2 boys, Michael and Gabriel...  

And our son Travis, his wife Kristi and their boys Hayden and Caleb.. with the "smile". :-) 

My plate.. now I must admit, I had taken a few bites before I remembered to take this photo.  But oh my my.. this dinner was TASTY.. deLISH.. YUMMO!   

Our menu was:  Roast Turkey, Sage Dressing, Mashed Potatoes, Turkey Gravy, Candied Yams, Green Bean Casserole, Fruit Salad, Orange Cranberry Sauce, Rolls & Butter, Martinelli's Sparkling Cider with Pumpkin and Pecan Pie.  Ohhhhhhh yes.  

I wrote a poem many years ago about our family Thanksgiving, I'd love for you to read it.  And you'll see our whole family in the photo.  

And then.. while I was writing this post, the UPS man drove up.. and what to my wondering eyes should appear?  But a package from Cath Kidston!!  Merry Christmas to me!  Bwah ha ha!!  Actually, I did some Christmas shopping on their website and got myself a few things while I was at it.  I've always loved tartan plaid and when I saw this bag I thought, well, I need a Winter bag, don't I?  Does anyone know which plaid this is?

Aren't those tin chambersticks adorable?  And the spotted candles?  Oh my!    

 And I got a tin of Christmas tags for gift giving, and will be abe to keep my tags in there forever, as I always would lose them.

I'm so happy!!  And now.. I will post this and have some leftovers for lunch. :-) 

And so.. now that Thanksgiving is over, I will be beginning the Christmas decorating.  My dear sons brought down the tree and it's all set to decorate.  

I want to tell you that I do so enjoy my blog and making friends with you.  You've enriched my life so much, your comments are like gifts - and I've gotten to feel like I have real true friends in places I've never been.  So, you are also in my list of things I'm grateful for.

((hugs)), Teresa :-)