Thanksgiving Wishes.

I wish I could look at our window this morning and see this beautiful sight. But it is not to be. Instead, we have another day of high winds, rain and even snow on the ground. Far too early. After such a calm and beautiful summer I can't believe we have this normally warm but with a bit of a chill season turning very quickly into a mini Winter. As ready as we are technically, I feel unready for the change. We have a few more projects to finish up and fully expected to complete them all on this long weekend but now we've had to quickly change to finish up projects inside. Not a bad trade but leaves me a bit worried that we'll still need another warm day or two to finish outside. I know it will happen. Even tomorrow is supposed to be sunny and double digits. Fingers crossed it comes true.

What's on for today? We gave ourselves a nice sleep in this morning. Actually dh slept well. I woke up at 7, in the dark, listening to the wind and the rain/snow hit the house. I snuggled down and did some thinking and then when it started to get a bit lighter, I grabbed my laptop to do some writing. In time, dh woke up and we watched a documentary on Steven Spielberg (well done) and had a little breakfast in bed. Now he's up and working on a project and I'm heading for a nice warm shower. Dh and eldest dd are off to a hockey game at 4, so my plan is to work on creating Thanksgiving dinner while they are gone. It will be a late dinner as we have to wait until they are home but worth the wait. Just the four of this holiday. Our boys and their families are away and our little guy is off visiting his dad down south. As much as I feel sad that we are not all together, Skype always helps. And after weeks of events and deadlines, having a weekend where we can just chill (in a warm way) is kind of a nice holiday to have. No pressure, no deadline, no expectations. Just our warm house, decorated for the season, with warm candles and soft blankets, a fridge full of food, bills paid, projects lined up and good health all around. Well except for my cough .... almost gone but still hanging about. 

On the menu today: the smallest turkey we have ever bought. Right from the year we were married, we have always hosted holiday dinners at our house. The first year it was because we really wanted to. And the following year, we had a brand new baby in our arms and it was just easier. From there, it became a tradition. Truthfully, we also were the only ones with a dedicated dining room. Now we have family spread out and not always able to come home. And many family members who are no longer physically living but will be remembered today with candles and memories. Hence, the small turkey on our table today. We'll have stuffing, gravy, fresh rolls right out of the oven, baked yams with mushrooms, carrots and onions, maybe some peas in butter, cranberries and pickles. Our dd wants pumpkin pie, so she'll be making that. And I might add in a tiny apple tart or two. We grew exactly two apples on our fruit trees this year. The first year, many trees won't produce, so we feel thankful that we have two to enjoy. We'll laugh and eat and share a memory or two and what we are thankful for. It's hard this year to feel so blissful when so many have less or have lost loved ones in the recent events that have affected so many. But for a moment, we'll let go of those thoughts and give thanks for our blessings. And offer healing wishes to all near and far.