Giving Thanks - The BEFORE Edition

First, let me wish all of you who celebrate - Happy Thanksgiving!  And for those who don't - you're missing out on a great meal.  LOL!!  I am giving thanks for so much today, my family, the ones who will be sitting around the table, and for those who are far away and will be missed.  I also want to thank YOU for coming to visit with me and being my friend and leaving me the most wonderful heartfelt comments.. and for those who read me but don't leave comments.  :-)

I can't believe I waited a whole year to set the table.. for Thanksgiving.  A year ago I saw a turkey plate on someone's blog and got the hankering for a set.  After lots of research and looking I found some, but then had to wait a year to use them.  OK, I know I'm rather nuts.  I just put 5 leaves in Grandma and Grandpa Shaklee's farm table (with the help of my son and grandson), spread the tablecloth, which incidentally is TOO SHORT.. ahem.. don't tell anyone.  I can't remember the last time it was this sunny on Thanksgiving!

When I was taking this shot Dayle goes.. egads, look at the windows, and has spent the last 40 minutes washing them inside and out.

We also found a set of silverware to use at our nice dinners - this is the their "maiden voyage".  

I wanted a photo of the plate BEFORE it's covered with turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, corn casserole, green bean casserole and candied yams.. and rolls.  

King Edward silver.. we fell in love with the details, we both love the flowers.

My 5 turkeys on the table.. good thing they're small.. more room for serving dishes! :-)

I will leave you with a poem I wrote to read 18 years ago when my whole family joined us for dinner on the farm table that I had rescued from my grandparents chicken house in Oklahoma and had restored, just in time for Thanksgiving dinner.  Please join me in giving thanks for all that we have.  ((hugs)), Teresa :-) 

The Heart of Autumn

Memories -- they roll through my mind.
All the years of Thanksgiving celebrations.
I remember them, with family & friends,
Different places, different faces.

Now, our home is where we gather.
It is because it is so right here.
The big old farmhouse, the barn,
The big oak tree obliges with leaves of red.

The family arrives, Dad brings ice cream.
Mom brings the pies fresh from her oven.
Robert, my only brother, brings his
Family from afar. Thank you brother.

As I open the door to our farmhouse
Welcoming Sister Roberta and her clan.
We all walk into the warm, steamy fragrant room.
Drinking in the smell of roasting turkey and sage.

Baby sister Denise brings her young ones,
What would the day be without them?
Thanksgiving day, we have always come together
The family draws tight as if by an unseen magnet.

The table is set with my finest china,
Napkins are folded like sculptures.
Goblets await cider, candles are alight.
The preparations reach a crescendo.....

Then, Dayle pulls his perfect creation,
The biggest turkey he could find,
From the oven, and the room quiets.
We all gather around, and glory in the scene...

A family, full of love and cheer.
This is the true America, our pilgrim
Ancestors would be proud, of what
Their brave adventure has wrought.

And we are filled with thanks.

Copyright 1995 by Teresa Kasner