Hey, Girls!
I’m sitting on the back porch on a lovely Sunday afternoon. Queen Esther is a few feet from me hugging a yellow tennis ball with her front paws and huffing and puffing with a wide, toothy grin in the afterglow of about 30 good cross-yard throws. I use one of these thing…
…for two really good reasons:
1) I wear out long before Star does and I don’t mind saying I don’t wear out all that easy. She never gets enough ball time. Never. I’m no math wizard but hurling that thing twice as far means I only have to throw it half as often.
2) In a word: dog spit. Well, that’s two words. Or let’s just make it a hyphenated word: dog-spit. She may be the Queen but spit is still spitty. I don’t care how lovely the original Queen Esther was, Xerxes wouldn’t have given her a second look with spit all over her chin. It’s just not ladylike. The whole story could have slipped and fallen on it.
Anyway, what I’m trying to get at is that I’ve gotten to have a few days mostly to myself. I hate to even mention those words to you moms of young children but it will happen for you someday, too, and sometimes you’ll be glad it did and other times you’ll pine for those babies like every fine day of your life is long behind you even though you know better than that. That’s when it’s a really good idea to have grandbabies but, unfortunately, it doesn’t always get to be your idea.
My man almost always heads to the ranch Thanksgiving afternoon after the meal. It was the deer lease before he got some hunting acreage of his own. I don’t pout about it because I don’t mind and it wouldn’t do much good anyway and it’s simply the way we’re accustomed to doing life. We were laughing at the table a few days ago when he admitted that, in the early years, he’d go to a little extra trouble to be a handful this time of year so that, the second he mentioned heading to the deer camp, I’d yell, “Gooooooo!” and kiss him goodbye in an anxious fury. Anyway, Keith’s idea of closeness has never been clinginess. Sometimes, if he’s been cooped up too long around here, he’ll retreat a tad into his own world like a lot of men do but 30 minutes after his truck tires hit I-10 West (or at least by the first Buccee’s) he’s often calling me and telling me why he ever fell in love with me in the first place. It makes me smile every time.
My man and I do better on this schedule: a lot of time together, a little time apart, a lot of time together, a little time apart, a lot of time together, a little time apart… And that’s how we’ve made it 34 years this coming December 30th.
Instead of getting my nose out of joint when he’s gone (it wouldn’t be a pretty sight anyway), I play like I own the place. I get up a bit later, read a little more, have longer quiet times, come and go as I please, and get with friends (and family, of course, but family is something we do on a regular basis anyway), walk in the woods all by myself (with Star) and I watch movies he’d probably hate.
Yesterday I decided to spend most of the day by myself doing this and that and, lo and behold, I got in the Christmas spirit. I tried to find where our Christmas decorations got stored in this new house last year when we made our monumental move to the country but, for the life of me, I couldn’t find a single box. I don’t know how to navigate the attics yet so I’m sure they’re up there. If they’re not, believe you me, you’ll hear about it. There will be heck to pay by somebody, especially if the stockings I handmade and tediously beaded from a kit for Keith, Amanda, Melissa and myself back in 1982 don’t show up. It was my last act of seamstressness and, without it, there is not the least whiff that I ever walked in craftiness. I’ll not have it.
But I did indeed know exactly where my Christmas dishes were. They were a gift from my “Other.” You know. We girls have a mother then many of us who live in a wide enough circle of women also have an “Other.” I mean, who really gets enough nurturing in this life from one older woman? Spread the love around. She doesn’t take the place of the one who raised you but sometimes you can tell her things you can’t exactly tell your M-Other. That was Miss Mary Helen to me. I have many things from her and most are beyond a retail price but these dishes are the most beautiful ones I’ve ever owned and I have 12 whole place settings. I bet a number of you have this same Spode pattern or one similar. It was the ultimate in Christmas dinnerware to our mothers and grandmothers and, to traditionalists, it can hardly be outdone.
It’s too big a waste to set them aside only for Christmas Eve or Day so I try to get them out nice and early and put some of them on this stand Miss Mary Helen gave me so we’ll use them everyday through the season. It’s a happiness to me.
And that’s all it took. Next thing I knew, I’d downloaded a new Christmas album on my iPhone. I don’t like it yet but I will before long. You know how we are about Christmas music. It’s the memories that surround them that make them our favorites but I’m ripe for some new memories anyway. Bring them on!
Actually, I got on here today just to say that I’d love to hear about one of your favorite moments from your Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Any of the four days will do. It doesn’t have to be life altering. Our community here also appreciates a snippet of simplicity. Just capture something you keep picturing from the weekend. An expression. A taste. A conversation. A sight. Write us up a little snapshot of it so that we can picture it through your words and through your beautiful eyes. Not too long, remember. We bloggers are notorious for ADD, myself included. It’s rare that we really read a long one. I’m so mindful when I write a long post that, by the end of it, I’ve lost most people. Sometimes it’s worth it because I’m working something through but, most of the time, I’d have been the wiser to have been the briefer.
Oh, Amanda snapped this picture of her Daddy and me on Thanksgiving afternoon so I might as well throw it in, too. He’s wheels are heading East and I’ll be mighty glad to see that handsome face. We Moores love you guys. Christmas will be here in exactly one month whether we’re ready for it or not. You may as well not fight it. Tie that house of yours up in red and green and slam the door on your Scrooginess. Don’t be a fossil. Make some wassail. Tis the season, Sweet Thing. Let’s celebrate us some Jesus.
Our Youth Pastor and his wife, which just so happen to be our best friends, felt God calling them to a new church in Alabama. So after eight years of friendship-just-street-over, we helped them pack up the very house we have celebrated so many occasions in and watched them drive away. But, before our hearts could grow too accustomed to the distant, we packed up our kids and headed to Alabama to celebrate Thanksgiving. It was the best time helping them get settled in their new house and watching God move in the youth and families at their new church. I spent this holiday thankful for life-long friendships formed eight years ago and ever the more grateful for people who respond and obey to God’s call on their life.
Broken body, broken spirit
Praise and Worship
Holy Spirit
Repentance
Praise and Worship
Thankfulness and Gratitide
Laying on of hands and annointing with Oil
Prayer
at the foot of The Cross
Thank You JESUS
I am healed!
My Thanksgiving weekend was very quiet, spending a lot of time alone. I live alone but spent several hours with family on Thanksgiving Day. However, I couldn’t wait to get back home and I wasn’t sure why. God had big plans for us this weekend and I spent a lot of time reading, studying, and praying. I did manage to get in some fun, including watching Pride and Prejudice (the long version).
Of course, having all the kids and grands here makes #1 on the list of wonderful things about this Thanksgiving. #2 is seeing my grandson Paxton riding on the John Deere (mower) with his Uncle Greg. 22 month old Paxton is a ‘handful’, in a wonderful way, and knowing Uncle Greg took the extra effort to get the mower out of the garage and go for a spin just makes me smile. Kindness like that is often overlooked but I saw one happy little boy and that is all it takes for this Mimi’s heart to swell.
Glad you had a nice Thanksgiving too Beth.
P.S. With my husband recently leaving the corporate world and working from home now as our territory Awana Missionary, I could use a little time alone….:)…
Reply
“Don’t be a fossil; make some wassail” – Good one.
We had a different Thanksgiving this year – a bit more on the simple side. So, my favorite memory was spending Thanksgiving morning – and then T’giving evening playing games with my kiddos: Authors, Clue, Sorry.
We squeezed making pecan pie (my 12 yr. old daughter took the lead on this) and brie appetizer and sweet potato casserole (not the yummy version roasted with rosemary but the one with a thick layer of marshmellows to keep the young-uns happy) into our morning to take and share with friends later.
Ciao All! (I’m raising an imaginary cup of wassail to toast Siestaville) ~
My little snapshot of our Thanksgiving is probably the same one every single year: the look on everyone’s face when they take the first bite of my dressing. I don’t know if ya’ll have “stuffin'” or “dressin'”, but my sweet Grandma Jolley, who passed away 3 years ago at the age of 92, made the best dang dressing this side of the Mississippi, and for some reason, I can copy it exactly. I’m not the best cook, but I managed to watch her enough times that I can replicate it and everyone loves it. It’s the thing that I most often get asked to make and I just love the look everyone gets when they get to take their first bite.
I always make my cousin, Syndee, her own pan of it because, frankly, she was grandma’s little shadow and the one who just needed grandma the most. Syndee’s daddy, grandma’s youngest son, was killed in a car accident when she was only 9 and her and grandma bonded like peas and carrots. I think it’s not so much the taste as the memories that that dressing brings back for her. I just love her and it brings me absolute joy to make something that makes her feel loved. My nine year old helps that feeling along since she always closes her eyes and chews like it’s Godiva. …grin…
Can you share the recipe? Would love to try it.
Well, sure!
Make a pan of cornbread (I use a cast iron skillet). Let it cool, then break it up into small pieces. Chop 1 medium/large onion and 1 large stalk of celery into small/tiny pieces. Add one stick of melted butter and 1 large container of chicken broth. (not the cans, but the square container)This is going to seem like too much moisture, but it’s not. Then add as much sage and thyme as you like and stir it all together until all the cornbread is moist and well mixed. We add quite a bit of both thyme and sage because we like it seasoned very well. Then just slap all of this very moist mess in a 13×9 buttered casserole dish. Let it cook until the top is lightly golden and the edges are just beginning to “crack” a little.
That’s it. I hope you enjoy it.
We’ve just moved to Dallas from LA, and it has only been the last six weeks or so I’ve realized I’m still mourning the loss of the life we had there. I’m certain this is where God has us though, so I’m looking to be more thankful every day of the beauty of changes and new seasons in life. It seems this last week all the leaves on the big old trees of various types in my neighborhood have turned a million colors for Fall (finally!). After driving home from the feast on Thursday we pulled into the driveway to a pink sky from a setting sun, magnificent colors of autumn leaves all around, and a rainbow just outside in our front yard from a passing rain shower. So beautiful. So thankful at God’s contunual grace and His promises even in change.
Well all be, it’s not often you come a cross a real life friend in the comment section of a blog! But seeing as how you and I both fell in sisterly love for Beth together, I’m not surprised to see you here!
God definitely has big plans for you and your beautiful and growing family in Texas! I love you girl!
As for my snapshot of Thanksgiving…the men sat at the island watching the football game and the ladies had some girl time at the dinner table over a deep fried turkey! The conversation revolved around baby talk as two of them had newborns and the third was pregnant. As one who has been praying for God to bless us with a child for years (as my girl Christy above can relate) it was sort of tough at times, but I am thankful for the peace that God has given me in spite of such a long wait. As new foster parents we are hopeful to bless many children with the love of Jesus!
And that was a long one. Oops!
Oh, Vanessa! I will be praying for your foster care journey! We are adopting our son (FINALLY!!!!) out of Foster Care, and there just aren’t enough good things I can say about the experience. God is AMAZING!!!! Foster/Adoptive Mama’s have a special place in my heart!
My favorite thing from this past week was that my older brother, who lives 2 and a half hours away, came home. My older brother is knight in shining armor. I call him “my sweet baboo” from charlie brown. 🙂
My girls are in their 20’s. No Grand babies yet. My daughter is a chef, and she made dinner that just makes a person swoon. Not a traditional dish in the lot.
We play what we call “The Turkey Games”. Lots of word games, coloring contests, trivia contests, etc. One of our new games this year was called “Measles”. We all picked Pilgrim names. All from the Mayflower’s passenger list. Use a person’s real name, and you get to wear a red sticker on your face. I ended up covered with “measles”. Winners received “medals” – paper turkeys to wear around their necks. We tried to sing the Olympic theme as the person got their medal, but it turned into a weird rendition of “Pomp and Circumstance”. We laughed our heads off. The person winning the most turkeys received the large, “Golden Turkey”, cut out of gold foil paper. Lots of memories made in Upstate NY.
Love and hugs from here!
the best part of my thanksgiving was worshiping as my boys led worship while on mission in the dominican republic with my husband and me. we took the trip even though it didn’t make financial sense. even though it made the holidays rushed. even though, even though, even though. god is gracious and good.
Love the picture of you and Keith.
Thanksgiving was a quiet one – just the four of us. I ordered a pre-made thanksgiving meal from Cracker Barrel. 🙂 I think the “fun” memory was all of us getting up at 5 to go shopping. We were done by 11 but had fun getting our boots from Penny’s, our free Chick Fil A breakfast and a 2 hr line at Gordman’s. 🙂
My favorite Thanksgiving tradition is going bowling with my family. After the football game is done we head to the bowling alley & then back to eat leftovers for supper.
I like the pic of you & Keith. My man & I had 22 years this October.
For the second year in a row, we took our girls (4 yrs and 22 mos) to Cape May, NJ to have breakfast with Santa the Saturday after Thanksgiving. We were one of the first families seated and Santa hadn’t even arrived yet. We were all sitting at the table holding hands (I think maybe we had just said grace?) and we all started flapping our joined arms – excited for Santa. The girls were giggling and, everytime we’d stop, my 22 month old would say, “gen!” As in, “again!” So of course, we did it again. And again. And again. I loved it 🙂 xo!
My Favorite things from this last week. Are flying to my parents in the S.F. Bay Area. We usually drive, which is a 16 or 17 hour drive total, so we usually spend the night somewhere in between. Lets see half a day of travel verses 2, I will take it any time. The other is shopping with my youngest and my mom. Living in fly over country I don’t get to shop at store like Banana Republic often, let alone when they have a 40% off sale. Yipee! I know kind of frivolous but I don’t think God minds to much. of course being with extended family is treat most of the time since that does not happen for this girl very often. Ok I know that is more than one, but could not limit it.
My favorite snapshot hmm!!! It wouldn’t have a thing to do with TGiving!!!!
The snapshot is of this AM after church. The tiny church community decided to decorate the main santuary for Christmas. It was so neat watching people from at least three different generations passing the Christmon (decorations made with a theme of Christ’s life they were popular some years ago ours are hand made and are still used every year)anyway the decorating was done with the whole community of believers from very young to very old.
It warmed me to realize no matter how concerned we are about how this world is going, Christs birth is still being passed down by older to younger to hang on a new tree every year. The tree will always be green at Christmas, black on Good Friday and covered with white Easter lillies on Easter Sun!
I know what you mean about ADD so I am quiting now even though I could write volumes more, I will save it for a book!
Enjoy your alone time it is great to spend with furry friends! I have a new minischnauzer black as coal named Ebony! She has so much energy typical of a 2 yr old but I am happy I have her she has helped me get over losing Tiffy two months ago now I am blessed!
Love across the miles,
Betty M
I love these, y’all! Our snapshots are as different as we are. Keep them coming!
I LOVE it that we are all so different and it is ALL so great!
My son asked his grandfather, my Dad, “What are some of your favorite memories”..My Dad replied, “Having all of my children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren together!” All 22 of us were together this Thanksgiving and it was blissful chaos!
At approximately 9pm on Thanksgiving eve I looked at my sister-in-law and said “want to go?” She said “yep”
In all my 41 yrs on this earth I have never shopped black Friday. I don’t know what they call it now that the stores have decided to open Thursday eve! Anyway, we jumped in the car to head to Target to get her daughter The Nook e-reader. A very good price for her 9 yr old daughter. She is a voracious reader! This is the only reason I went. I am also a voracious reader and wanted to be a part of this special gift for her!
I could not believe my eyes when I saw the line getting into the store! I have only seen black Friday madness on TV. But I stood in the line like a good soldier/aunt waiting our turn to claim that special present. Kaitlyn will be so happy. I did not become a convert to always shopping Black Friday but it was worth getting out of my comfort zone to make my niece’s Christmas special.
Stacie
I just have to say, you look so young and cute in that picture, Beth! Beautiful. Love looks good on you. 🙂
Best moment from Thanksgiving? Having an adorable, bright orange smocked dress with turkeys on it to put on my 5 year old. And a matching turkey bow. Dressing that child all up in smocked dresses and hairbows makes my heart sing like nothing else! I can’t explain the joy it brings. 🙂
The best thing for me this weekend was lots of family time! My children have lived all over the world the last few years (military). This year my oldest is actually stationed at home! I was able to be with him and his wife, and my three beautiful granddaughters!
My younger son, Jared, is in South Korea. Please keep him and all our military who are away from home in your prayers this holiday season.
Thanks!
Tammy, thank you for your each of your son’s service to our country. Praying for them and all of our military during this Christmas season! So exciting to read that you were able to spend Thanksgiving with your oldest.
Great day. We celebrated on Friday with traditional turkey… Made in an electric roaster because we had a new stove delivered. I live with my 88 year old mom… Her gas stove had too much flare and scare after 63 years… It was a day to remember. Good family and a dear friend…. Who could ask for a better one. Hugs, Beth!
I am loving all of these great traditions!! We might have to steal one or two for next year… 😀 We had a small and quiet Thanksgiving this year-my husband and myself at my parent’s house, and my paternal grandparents also joined us. My mom and I cooked—we love it! I also made my first lattice pie—Cranberry apple to be exact (home-made crust, all organic ingredients-YUM!) It turned out fabulous! I was very proud of myself….Though there were quite a few moments during the process where I was beggin’ God for a breath of patience. He gave it to me! And the pie was beautiful! But my favorite part of the day was the hike my hubby and I went on early Thanksgiving morn! It was wonderful. Happy Christmas Season, ya’ll!
Two memories, both involving College Girl-Child home for a few days. I love having my Man and Man-Cub to myself, but they aren’t as big on words as Girl Child and I are, but I love it when she and I have an entire conversation with just a look or a phrase such as “We should” “Yes, I know.” and know exactly what each is thinking. The men just look at us so strangely!
Second, we stayed up entirely too late last night playing a game and laughing. At one point the conversation turned to something like, “She’s laughing so hard it’s going to come out her nose!”
I have so much to be thankful for.
Well, first things first. I love that picture of you and your Mister. Adorable!
Second, I have Spode and I love it! I got my very first piece from my future mother-in-law the Christmas I was engaged in 1988. I get it out right after Thanksgiving, too.
And to finally get to the point, my very favorite part of this past weekend, aside from having 25 of my sweet family members at my house, was when my precious boy who has special needs made up a song for his Christian rock band. He doesn’t care that he isn’t in a band yet. He’ll be ready when there is one. The words just about melted our hearts when we saw them all printed out. Jesus, I know, was pleased. It put the exclamation point on a fine weekend of being thankful.
Love to you, Beth! xo
My snapshot:
It’s the first Thanksgiving in our new location. And without all the retail mess that usually has my attention for black Friday. Me and my crew of 6 have spent the last four days lounging around the house enjoying the simplicity of our new town, and the home that we get to just enjoy instead of work on. It has been a blessing!
I keep picturing our grandchildren sitting mesmerized as their great grandfather told them his WWII stories.
This Thanksgiving I went to visit my sister in MD. Spending time with my nieces and nephew was the best part. One thing in particular stands out. On Thanksgiving night my brother-in-law got out his telescope and we did some star and moon gazing. The kids’ delight at being able to see the surface of the moon was absolutely priceless. They literally were jumping up and down. Their enthusiasm brought out the kid in me again, and renewed my wonder and awe at God’s creation.
Love love love the picture of you and Keith, Siesta Mama! So cute! I long for days of alone time around here, but with a 5 year old, 2 year old and 3 month old I can’t even go to the bathroom by myself without someone crying and/or banging on the door. 🙂 I sure do love them though and I know these days will be over before I blink AND I did get to do a little shopping with just my mom and the baby this weekend which was so nice! My favorite snapshot of Thanksgiving would have to be my three girls wearing turkey headbands and big grins. 🙂
My mother died 7 years ago at Thanksgiving. Her mother (my Bea Bea) is 88 and doing great! We celebrated with her in small town – Mississippi. My mother’s sisters were there and their families along with my brother and his family and my daddy!! (Beth you’ll like this) My brother taught my 10 year old son to shoot a gun!!! He did great and hit the target several times. The pictures I took are out of focus ~ cause I was shaking so much!!! City Boy got a little Country Living!! Tonight – I will finish off this week-end watching PBS (Beth – I sure hope you know about this) Downton Abby Special~ Behind the Scenes at 7pm and 8:30pm Sunday night!! I’m catching the last showing — the 10 year old will be in bed!!! 🙂 I’m getting my Christmas dishes out this week!!
My favorite snapshot was announcing to my family that my husband and I are expecting our first baby! During our annual “Thank-a-thon” around the table on Thanksgiving, my twin sister asked my husband and me what we were thankful for, and I said that we were thankful for being pregnant!! We have been trying for a year, so needless to say, tears welled up in my eyes as I soaked in the joy of my parents, grandpa, sisters, and brother-in-law. Seeing the shock and joy on all their faces will forever be etched in my memory. We have only told family at this point- I am almost 10 weeks. So sshhh! 😉 And please pray for our baby to be healthy! Thank you, and Merry Christmas!
Oh, Laura! Best Thanksgiving ever! I am so happy for you! This will be a story you will tell over and over again. We announced the coming of our second baby on Christmas day back in 1981 and the memory is still so fresh and dear to us. May Jesus raise this child mighty in Him.
Congratulations, Laura! What a blessed Thanksgiving indeed!
We were three siblings (plus our families) plus our parents gathered in Fort Wayne, IN. My most precious snapshot moment was sitting with my mom who is failing rapidly due to Parkinson’s disease. She talked about her concerns for us after she dies — how much she’s going to miss us and want to be with us still. Hearing her love for us was beautiful, and then I got to remind her of how God is going to be taking care of us here on earth while she enjoys the pain-free heaven with her Savior. Lots of emotions. I am learning to treasure every moment, even in the heartache.
Karen,
We are neighbors! I live in Warsaw, but used to live in Fort Wayne.
Your story of gratitude is inspiring. Hearing words of love from someone on their way to the loving arms of our Savior must be one of the most precious gifts we can receive.
Thank you for sharing this precious moment in time.
God bless you and yours!
Toni
November 25, 2012 at 7:27 pm
Miss Beth…Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours and all the wonderful people at “Living Proof”. Bless you all and know just how VERY grateful and thankful I am to God for you all!!
Our Thanksgiving was back in Oct. and it was quite…we didn’t even have turkey. Sacrilege
I know.
Anyhow, I am just sending this your way to tell you that the picture of you and Keith made me nostalgic. He’s wearing a JOHN DEERE cap. My late step-father — John — who worked at John Deere always wore a John Deere cap. I miss him like crazy. Thanksgiving was always held at our house and his and Grandma Behr’s (my grandma) birthdays were two days apart right after thanksgiving so we celebrated it all together. They are both gone now — along with Grandpa Behr (imagine being so blessed as to have a “Grandpa and Grandma Behr ) and we miss them something awful at Thanksgiving. But we are beyond thankful for all the wonderful thanksgivings we spent with them.
Bless ya, now.
Debbie
p.s. sorry I originally posted this after the wrong post…didn’t mean to post twice.
Snapshot of my Thanksgiving:
#1 Thanksgiving on Thursday – we decided to go non-traditional and had BBQ with all the fixin’s. At first I was not happy about that, but when my Mom said she was able to watch the entire Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade for the first time it made it all worth it! We ended the night around a fire pit with s’mores and guitars.
#2 Thanksgiving on Saturday – spent about 12 hours at my Uncle’s house watching tons of football and had a traditional meal that evening.
Thanksgiving is about family for me and lots of it!
Trying to stay focused as I type this because I am watching a Downton Abbey special with a sneak peek of Season 3 (yay!)!!!!!!!
My mom passed away in July of 2010. She always cooked the best Thanksgiving meals so this year, as my humble way to honor her, I cooked for my family and my brother’s family. I’ve been missing her terribly as I planned and shopped for our dinner. Twice on Friday, our big meal day, I walked in my bedroom for some reason and I could smell her perfume. It was so strikingly strong I thought my son must have found her perfume bottle and sprayed it in the air, but he didn’t. So thankful for God giving me a sweet reminder that she was here with me.
We spent the week in Florida at my dad’s. Last July we almost lost him to a giant heart attack, so I don’t even know the words to express my thankfulness still having him here with us. I sit here in this suburban, loaded with my husband, 3 kids, and a dog, traveling home to north Georgia, and can’t just pick one memory. Watching my dad beam with pride as his only granddaughter hits every target at the shooting range, packing them lunches for a day of hunting — all the men and grandchildren — as my daughter says, “This year, whatever they kill, I’m gonna eat it” (and she did!) hours around the table talking and laughing, and ending the week today all of us at the cemetery putting new flowers on my grandparents’ graves. My grandmother, Minnie Ola, was the best friend a granddaughter could have. I miss her like crazy.
What a blessed week, and when we get home in a few hours I’m refreshed and ready to decorate the mess out of our house!
Happy Thanksgiving Beth and all of my siestas. I’m so very thankful for each one of you!
So, my favorite memory this Thanksgiving… My sweet pastor’s birthday was this week and he adores carrot cake with cream cheese icing. I have a wonderful carrot cake cupcake and told him I would bake them especially for him. So, my sweet momma and I got in the kitchen together on Saturday afternoon to make the cupcakes. She takes the dry ingredients and I take the wet. We both pitch in with the washing and drying. We are both compulsive about keeping the kitchen clean as we go. We have been baking quite a long time together in my kitchen and we have an elegant dance. It went off perfectly, without even one misstep. And the whole time, I kept catching glimpses of our hands working side by side and feeling that special feeling of closeness. And I am thankful!
How sweet love the last descriptive sentence.
Made wassail for the first time today (even before I read this post!) LOVE IT!
Snapshots: a turkey declared done by the hostess but cooked in a roasting pan and had NO browned skin on it; my homemade ice cream cake that thawed too long before serving; seeing my younger son for the first time in a month – with a full beard and a head-full of hair; teasing my older son as he patted his full stomach with “his tummy grew three sizes that day.”
My favorite moment came the day after Thanksgiving. We had a little birthday party for my son. He is turning 5 on Wednesday and has mild autism. I will never forget the excited look on his face as he peered out the window, waiting for guests to arrive. There was a time when we did not know if he would ever have moments like that. It was beautiful!
So precious, Deb.
I love seeing the little things in their eyes and mannerisms as our children grow up! My best friend has autistic twins that are now 16 years old and I cherish them along with all our kids; you will continue to see sparks and surprises that will warm your heart as he grows up in his own way. I love knowing that God always knows what our kids are thinking and feeling, even when we can’t always peer inside their hearts 🙂 but it is such a joy when we do a glimpse! Hugs~ Sandy
Very touching.
My FAVORITE memory from our nice Thanksgiving break, occurred while the four of us were doing something completely out of the normal. We were by ourselves for Thanksgiving. No stress, casually dressed. No schedule to keep! We decided to grab our plates full of our Thanksgiving bounty, and watch a funny family movie. There around the coffee table, was THAT moment when everyone had a huge smile on their face as we all shared a long joyful laugh! Pure Joy! Pure Peace! Pure Happiness!! P.R.I.C.E.L.E.S.S.!!!
Thanks so much for sharing your life with us Siesta Mama!! Blessings and Hugs!
I created the Thanksgiving Treet seen on Ann VosKamp’s blog. Thanksgiving morning, I went outside and picked up some bare branches and printed out the scripture leaves from her blog. I tied ribbons on them and we wrote on the back of the scripture what we were thankful for. One of my thanks was for my 4 year old granddaughter asking Jesus into her heart in July. One of her thanks was for Jesus…and Santa! Melt my heart!
I didn’t really do much for thanksgiving, since my papa was working. I went over to my friends to celebrate with him and his family, but the thing I loved the most was the next day. My mom and I have never gone Black Friday shopping, but this year she was willing to make an exception for me. I think that day I had the most fun because we got to hang out and just have fun. I have had a rough relationship with my mama, but I am glad to say that she truly has become my best friend. Probably the closest I have. I love her so much!
My favorite snapshot of our Thanksgiving is hands-down welcoming my baby brother (not exactly a baby at 28 years old) home from the Navy. He’s only been in since June and we have missed him like crazy. Picture my parents, me and my husband, my older brother and his wife and our children (that’s 5 nieces!) waiting at the airport Wednesday night to lay eyes on the only one of us that was missing. It was too much. We were a borderline embarrassing spectacle at the Charlotte airport.
Anyway, after a wonderful weekend where we laughed and laughed and ate too much, we said goodbye again this morning. My 11 year old said the most profound thing on the way home from church tonight. She said, “Mom, I don’t understand what it is about our family. People think we’re crazy because we love each other so much. I think there may be families that don’t do the same so WHY DO WE??” Without hesitation, I said “BECAUSE WE CHOSE TO!!!” Goodness, we are a picture of God’s grace. For years, we simply could have chosen NOT to forgive, not to love and not to move heaven and earth to spend time together. But, we DID and DO. I sit here tonight with a new appreciation for the choices we’ve made. With God’s help, we genuinely enjoy one another. It’s been a choice I’m so glad we made!
I had s sleepover with my 3 best friends from high school and our old young life leader. We try to do a weekend every year, but with all of us having toddlers, preschoolers and elementary aged kids, it’s a busy season of life. So we squeezed in a sleepover and a really late night talking. Sweet, sweet times!
Oh my goodness! There are so many favorites!! But one for sure is seeing my nephew peek in the window with his school-made Pilgrim hat on and then my little niece come in with her school-made Turkey hat on that matched her outfit! I am so Thankful they were able to move here from Idaho last year! I can babysit and watch them grow up now! I just love them so much! And one more favorite was taking a drive to see the most beautiful Fall colored trees! Growing up in Minnesota we were so spoiled, but now living in the desert I long to see that beauty!! So we spent Friday afternoon enjoying God’s Creation! I was so thankful to get away and spend some precious time with my husband and God out in the wilderness! My spirit is renewed!! 🙂
Spent the day with 3 of my sisters and one of my sister’s friends, Pat. I was asked to pray the blessing before our meal and of course thanked the Lord for all that He’s blessed us with, for giving us life and for giving us HIS life. During the meal we talked freely about many things we were thankful to God for. Come to find out later, Pat is an atheist. I pray that God touched her heart during our uplifting of His Name and His goodness. Please pray for her if she comes to your mind!
Michelle from Maine
Praying right now. Sounds like He may be wooing her to me.
Thank you.
…and I pray God directs you right to those Christmas decorations! 🙂
My favorite part of Thanksgiving was just having everything about the meal organized that when my boys in their 20’s showed up 2 hours early I had the time to just sit and enjoy them. You know this Beth I am sure that when the babies are no longer living under your roof you just love when they are all under roof together as a family if only for a few hours. It is blissful!! I am so thankful!
Spending the day with my mom and siblings. Missed my dad all over again (his 3rd year with Jesus), but loved having us all at the table. We laughed about old adventures, and some grew bigger and bolder with the telling, but we are ok with that. Nothing sweeter than being with people who’ve known you your whole life and who you have loved for all of yours…
Thanksgiving 2012 will be remembered as the one we stayed home b/c I could not travel due to neck injury soon to require major MAJOR surgery. The LORD provided me help to go to the grocery store and I bought all the fixings and two beautiful flower arrangements. First time ever doing this. Looking at these sunflowers and other flowers so blessed me. Maybe even more than the food. Don’t know why but the flowers spoke harvest and blessing and HOPE to me in a special creative way. My husband did most of the cooking and we had a quiet dinner with my mom but without either of our grown children. But they are both healthy and with us in Spirit. One was working and the other in Japan in the Navy. It is sometimes hard to be thankful for the valleys. The LORD is LORD of the valleys too…reading The Shelter of the MOST HIGH by Francis Frangipane… Blessed me at Thanksgiving that on Chapter 14 A Thankful Heart…to find joy must find thankfulness….1Co 10:10 grumble…destroyed by the destroyer…most need to simply repent of ingratitude…ingratitude itself keeps the wounds alive…Forgive the wrongs of the past and become thankful for what we have in the present…The moment we are grateful we actually begin to ascend into the presence of God…no matter circumstances, begin to thank God and YOU begin to change….The key that unlocks the gates of heaven is a thankful heart. Entrance into the courts of God comes as you simply begin to praise the LORD. If you think you know the Lord and do not live a life of gratitude before Him, it is doubtful that you really do know Him…Pride slays thanksgiving…proud man =seldom grateful… and other profound statements/truths/quotes that impacted and helped me this difficult Thanksgiving. Like Joseph we can be fruitful in the land of affliction. Happy Thanksgiving and thank you for sharing your life and story and boasting on the LORD and His goodness to glorify HIM! IN CHRIST, Deb
Thanksgiving highlight was 4 generations of women cooking traditional family dishes that my grandmother started many years ago. I have the cutest picture of my 2 year old granddaughter mixing a dish. Priceless memories. Thanks for sharing yours!
It’s our tradition to do Thanksgiving at the beach with my mom’s sister and her family. Last night (our last one with family this year), I took my 2-year-old son to the potty. He looked up and me and said, “Mommy, I’m going to miss those people.” I got a lump in my throat thinking about how “those people” become “our people.” He’s just at the beginning of such a beautiful journey of family. I love it!
Playing the game Apples to Apples with my family, enough said! 😉