THANKFUL

THANKFUL FOR

• Indian summer - warm days, cool crisp nights, colourful trees, nature's last hurrah before the snow flies and winter comes.
• my kids - I sometimes look at them and think "I made them?" They are each so unique and yet so the same in ways.  Kind, generous, smart, and in the words of Derek Zoolander "ridiculously good-looking". They didn't even pay me to say that.
• my grandkids - seven already and number eight on the way.  Sweet, cheeky, happy and loving, and always ready to give me a hug and a kiss.  I could not feel more blessed.
• my daughters-in-law - our family was pretty awesome before but now with these three girls it is ridiculously awesome.  I can't begin to tell you how much I love and appreciate them. Two are the mothers to a majority of my grandchildren and they value their roles as nurturers to those special little ones.  
• friends - I have a lot...more than I deserve really... all over the world.  Each friendship is valued, they enrich my life in a way that is impossible to describe.  I am friends with some of the smartest, funniest, and kindest people in the world.  I am sure you fall into one of those categories considering you're reading my blog.
• turkey dinners - turkey is fine but what I really care for is all the trimmings... mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, did I mention mashed potatoes?  mmmmm... my favorite! Bring on the left overs!
• my husband - I lucked out in that department.  He is the reason that our marriage runs so smoothly.  I accuse him of having OCD but in reality I envy the ease in which he organizes and remembers everything (except where utensils belong in the kitchen).  The grandkids adore him.  What more could you want?
• my health - One of life's greatest blessings is good health.  I couldn't be more thankful for that blessing in my life. 

Happy Thanksgiving to you all.  If you haven't already, take a moment to reflect on the things you are thankful for.

THANKSGIVING 2011

This past weekend we celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving as well as Ava's first birthday.   Here are some of the highlights.


I made Avocado Shakes for the second time in two days.  So very, very, yummy!

I made this little cake for Ava (easy to do but a little time consuming).

Here she is enjoying it.

The weather was absolutely gorgeous, so summer like and yet we were into the second week of October. Lilah is in just her diaper here.  Maybe there is actually something to this global warming thing.

We had a little glitch over the weekend when we discovered that the sink was clogged just as we were about to do all the dishes from our big Thanksgiving dinner.  Ben figured he could clear it with the plunger so before he did,  I tied a tea towel around a pipe that has been known to leak slightly while being plunged. 

While Ben plunged the one side of the double sink, I held the plug down in the other.  We both felt our feet getting wet at the same time and looked down to see water running out onto the floor.  There was a panicked call for towels....

and a quick race downstairs to see if it was seeping through the floor onto the ceiling below...

...It was.

Long story short

• the whole drain is broken.
• we had to dishes in the laundry tub.
• we are still waiting for a plumber.
• I own about fifty towels.
• most were used to clean up the mess.
• I now know how fat my butt is (I need to lay off the Avocado Shakes).

After all the excitement, we went outside , sat around the fire, watched the moon come up and enjoyed some of these.

All in all, it was a nearly perfect weekend.   We just missed Daniel, Olivia, and Adam.

TRADITIONS

Last week we celebrated Thanksgiving.  It's one of my favourite holidays - let's be honest, any holiday where our family gets together is my favourite.  

We have a few traditions associated with this day.  The first one occurs mid afternoon when Ian offers to help set the table.

TRADITION 1

Ian: Would you like help setting the table?

Me: Um... I guess... if you really want to. (I know what's coming)

Ian: There's a lot of people here, do you just want to use paper plates?

Me: No, I want to use the china.

Ian: Are you sure?

Me: Yes, I'm quite sure.

Ian: Should I get the glasses from the kitchen?  You don't want to use the crystal do you?

Me: Yes, I want to use the crystal.

It is the same conversation we will have at Christmas and then again at Easter.  We bought some lovely crystal glasses on a trip to Ireland a few years ago and I think it's funny that Ian never wants use them.  There is a reason for this which I will explain later.

TRADITION 2

Before our meal begins, we go around the table and each person tells what they are most thankful for.  Usually by the time we get to the end there will have been a few laughs and a few tears.  It is the best part of my day.

TRADITION 3

We all eat too much turkey and the trimmings but always seem to have enough room for dessert.


TRADITION 4

The guys do the dishes.  This is the reason that Ian hates to use the crystal glasses...they need to be hand washed.   While I enjoy taking a rest after the meal, I pay for this act of kindness when I get asked a million questions as to where things belong and then for the rest of the week as I try to find all my kitchen gadgets.

TRADITION 5

Relaxing after the meal and dishes are done.  This takes many forms but we seem to congregate together and play a game.  This year we gathered around our outdoor fireplace and watched the stars come out while drinking hot chocolate.  

I think Matthew went a little overboard with the fire but I'll let you be the judge.

The only thing that kept this from being an absolutely perfect day was the absence of Daniel, Olivia, and Adam.  We missed them. : (