Happy Thanksgiving!

Another Thanksgiving feast has been accomplished and, once again, I can't believe how full I feel! I really did eat less than last year and no nibbling while cooking,... okay, not much nibbling.

Our preparations began yesterday with cleaning the house, thawing the turkey and baking the cornbread. This morning I was up getting coffee and breakfast made as I put the turkey into the oven. Then we all swung into action with all hands on deck, slicing, dicing, mixing and mashing. The sink was in constant suds as we washed more dishes in a morning than we normally do most weeks. By noon the bird was out of the oven and the dressing was in- including my Great-Grandmother's now World-Famous Oyster Dressing which was published in Rachel Ray's magazine thanks to my world-famous Aunt LaRue! Rebekah mixed and rolled the pie pastry while Isaac mixed the pumpkin filling, Kate stirred together the pecan filling and Erin mashed potatoes, (not for the pies). Our guests arrived in time for Joanne to help Kate arrange the pecans on top of the pies. After a last minute flurry of side dishes and table setting the feast was ready and together we thanked God for His bountiful blessings before digging in.


Our guests, the Barties, are from South Africa, where there is no National day of Thanksgiving for a holiday. We were blessed to be able to share our day and feast with these new friends. The differences between and similarities with our countries made for very interesting conversation. They will soon return home to South Africa and they have enjoyed their time here very much. We had planned some games and activities, but found no time for them as we enjoyed one anothers' company.



They've gone now and we are settling in for a quiet evening. Jim and the kids started a fire and are playing a game. I feel as if I might explode, and I didn't even have any of the fruit salad with the mini marshmallows,... I think it's calling me...

We are so very grateful for the blessings we've been given this year. A wonderful vacation this summer to meet and visit with relatives in Texas and Louisiana, including several days on a Dude Ranch; friends in Florida dear enough to miss terribly now that we've moved away; moving to a beautiful area into the house of our dreams, (don't wake me!); the internet with which we keep in touch; a new church, with a Pastor who faithfully preaches the Word, that is beginning to feel like home; good schools and good friends for the kids; Knowing that Nathaniel is right where he is supposed to be, pursuing his calling and loving it; the birds at the birdfeeder and the parakeets that are so enjoyable to watch in the family room; a sweet dog who sleeps on Isaac's bed every night because he's still not used to having a room of his own; knowing that God is good, and He is faithful, and He's watching over us every moment of every day.

I could go on, but the long day and the triptophan are getting to me. (I'll be adding more pictures from today later.) Good night.

Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples!
-Psalm 105:1