Our Annual Extra Bit of Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving, Canada!

Since Mark is at work today, we had our dinner yesterday. We almost missed it, actually; Mark ran out to the grocery store yesterday morning for some milk and came back with a turkey. We actually forgot about any green vegetables, but we didn't mind. It's all about the gravy, right?

It was our first really chilly weekend of the fall, and so we had a cozy weekend close to home. Leaf gathering (now pressing in the dictionary), filling up the bird feeders, puzzles and many games of crazy eights. Oh, and sweaters! And I got to dig out the hats and mittens! I love this time of year.

Anyway, I couldn't get these two to try the gravy, but the turkey, stuffing, marshmallow-topped sweet potatoes, and pie were all hits. And, let me tell you, that marshmallow topping is a trick that works.

Olivia and I also made little jam tarts with the leftover pie dough; did you guys ever make those as kids? Very tasty little treats when you're in the mood for pie. (If you never did, this picture pretty much explains the whole process, except you have to poke them with a fork before you bake them).

And, of course, we did our annual thankful list:

Each other, of course; we are so thankful for our little family
Bobby and Poppa, who are coming soon for a visit
Our lovely extended family; if only they were closer!
Our fabulous friends all over
Fuzz and Swimmy
Our warm and cozy home, as we get our first real chill of fall

With the really big stuff covered, we really got into it. Can you guess where we were sitting?

Bunnies
Big Pig
Yarn
Beer
Wine (we switched directions; did you catch it?)
Baby Kiki (someone's favorite doll)
Nutcrackers (the kind that look like soldiers)
Gravy
That mat that lets you pick up the pie dough without it falling apart
Pie

Then we clinked glasses, held hands, and Olivia sang Kumbaya.*

(We've been enjoying The Gingerbread Baby by Jan Brett lately, so yesterday we made a wall-full of "cookie men" and a house for them to live in.)

So much to be thankful for.

*Once in a while we hold hands around the table and say thank you to the earth that takes care of us and the sun that helps the plants grow, and all that sort of thing. It was Liam's idea, actually, after learning it in preschool. Once in a while, Mark will throw out a sarcastic Kumbaya when we do this, so now Olivia sings it whenever we all hold hands.

Comments

[Jody]

I'm thankful for all those things too! With emphasis on the wine, yarn, and pie, naturally. Happy Canadian Thanksgiving! (Is that more expensive than American Thanksgiving? :))

[mary maddox]

What a wonderful entry. Made me wish we were there to share the turkey and weekend with you. We'll be there soon. love to all, Mary

[Holly Jo]

Happy Thanksgiving! What is the history of Canadian Thanksgiving?

Honestly, I have never heard of making mini pies out of the extra crust with jelly. Genius. We usually do a cinnamon/sugar thing.

[Sara]

Happy Thanksgiving! I have never heard about the pie crust and jam thing either. I'll have to try it sometime.

[sue]

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving to you! Our entire weekend here in Ontario was beautiful...28C and I think it was the same in NS...golden, golden, golden! Linden, Ash with Geoff and family friends gathered around our table- a far cry from the 19 at the cottage, but a great test run for the new kitchen. And now the harvest moon! Could it be more lovely? So I'm with Liam in gratitude...some of the most important things in life, you learn in kindergarten.
Love, Sue
Today's the election. Wish I could vote for Obama.

[Terrie]

Happy Thanksgiving! Sounds like a wonderful way to spend the day :)

[Stacey]

Happy Thanksgiving!

I love the Kumbaya explanation. Too funny.

[Nadine]

Happy Thanksgiving to you, too!

Thank YOU for being a friend I just haven't met yet and all of your lovely words and inspiration. Thank you, too, for the jam tart nugget. I can't believe I've gotten this far in life without that tasty tip.