I don’t know about you, but for me preparing for a wonderful family gathering and anticipating our time together is one of the great bonuses of holiday celebrations.  Our menu was planned early on, so that everyone would know what to bring:  traditional roasted turkey with gravy, gourmet mashed potatoes, collard greens, butter peas, fresh cranberry and pecan relish, sweet potatoes, rolls, pecan pie, and Frensh silk pie.  The table decorations were set out on Tuesday, so that there would be no last minute rush to get it done. 

One thing I truly love about these celebrations is that most all my traditions harken back to those who have gone before me… my grandmothers and my mother.  It is wonderful to get out those dishes I saw them use time after time and remember how great it was to gather around their tables.  

I placed the pilgrims and Indian corn that my grandmother had given me soon after I was married in the center of my table on a mirrored tray that had once belonged to her and graced her Thanksgiving table.  I even found a host of handwritten notes in a cookbook which had belonged to my grandmother, and it caused me to remember her hands, lovely and delicate though worn from many hours in the kitchen.  I pulled out a pair of sliver tongs that had been hers, along with a few silver serving spoons and a pair of salt and pepper shakers. 

After considerable elbow grease and time, the silver was all polished and ready for our gathering.   As I polished, I thought of all the times she must have done the same thing getting ready for us to gather around her table.

Finally Thursday arrived and, as you see from the photo below, all was ready for our time together around the table.  The candles were lit, the glasses were filled, the accoutrements were in their rightful places on the table, and we all took our plates and enjoyed the bountiful blessings prepared so carefully by the hands of our loved ones.

What a wonderful day we had as both sides of our family gathered for our Thanksgiving meal.  As we gathered around our table, we reminisced and celebrated the fact that we were once more able to be together for this special celebration.  What a terrific holiday… no gifts to buy, no hustle of crowds, no elaborate decorations… just family, food, and fellowship.  It really is a day for thankfulness.

What a wonderful time of year the Thanksgiving Season is!  We have so much for which to be thankful:  God’s amazing grace, family, friends, food, shelter, and so many other blessings.  We were able to be together this past Sunday night with many of our closest friends, and what a warm and wonderful time of fellowship we had.  There was a bountiful array of foods, all lovingly brought in by different families and set out for all to enjoy.  There were luscious desserts all set on a grand buffet, looking like a picture from a magazine.

There was a batch of fresh-from-scratch eggnog.  (Now you must understand that I am not a big eggnog fan, but this was one of the best tasting things to ever cross my lips!)  It was made with nutmeg, fresh eggs, vanilla, and cream.

The home of our wonderful hostess had the sights, smells, and ambiance of what a Thanksgiving Party should be:  warm candlelight, sumptuous food, and most of all the warmest fellowship. 

We are truly blessed beyond all that we could have ever imagined.

Every year our city hosts an enormous indoor Christmas arts and crafts show called Christmas Village.  While there, I wandered around the 700+ vendors looking for inspiration and ideas.  I really didn’t accomplish much in that regard, but I did manage to sample some lovely treats and snap a few pictures.  Here’s one of my favorites, a carved wooden dish which held some beautifully preserved dried roses.

Earlier last week, I was out and about in the area looking for nature’s handiwork.  I was not disapointed as you can see from these photos.  Autumn’s kaleidoscope of colors against a glorious blue sky are captured here.

From brilliant oranges to dark ambers against a blue sky, we move to glorious golden and green tones sparkling in the sunlight.

Not to be left out, even the shrubs are getting in on the act and showing off their colors.

The blazing glory of autumn doesn’t last long; soon enough these beautiful leaves will be scattering in piles on the ground.  So I am trying to enjoy autumn’s wonderful colors to the fullest while it’s here.  The colors are spectacular and the weather cool, crisp and inviting…  you can almost hear the trees shouting, “come out and look at us!”  I think I’ll do just that.