Thanksgiving Blessings

We had the most delightful Thanksgiving day yesterday! When I woke up, the coffee was already made. I slowly poured myself a cup, savoring every moment of this special day. My husband and daughter were playing Lego Star Wars, so I got out my beads and strung a new necklace. I checked on my blogger friends then we went for a walk.

It was a fabulous morning - the sun was shining, it was 69 degrees with a soft breeze. Fall leaves were floating down from the sky and spinning lazily in the street. We finally have bright beautiful leaves - golden yellows and rich reds. It was so wonderful and I got some great photos - I'll be loading them onto Sunniviews this week, the series will be called Fall Finale.

After getting ready, we drove over to my aunts house in Chapel Hill for our family get-together. It was wonderful to see everyone! The table was beautifully set for our Thanksgiving feast and the food was scrumptious. We had an expert turkey maker and an expert turkey carver along with all the yummy accompanying dishes: buttery mashed potatoes and rich gravy, stuffing, green bean and lima casserole, sweet potatoes, corn, a special family recipe of mac and cheese, homemade cranberry sauce and fresh rolls. Oh my, it was so good. Oh, it was so, so good. We were stuffed.

Afterwards we played cards (UNO and Euchre), told jokes and stories, laughter filled the air. We settled our bellies with strong, rich coffee and nibbled on dessert: pumpkin pie and apple crisp with french vanilla ice cream.

Then it was time to say goodbye and make quick plans for Christmas. As we drove home, my daughter sleeping soundly in my lap, the radio playing soft and sentimental music, my husband and mother-in-law talking quietly in the front - I watched the drying fall leaves scuttle in spirals across the highway through the dark. My heart became wide open, expanding beyond my body, beyond my soul, so that I had the most incredible feeling of love and gratitude. I closed my eyes and envisioned myself circling my arms around the whole world in a great loving embrace. And on this Thanksgiving, I was truly thankful.

From the Toymaker's November Newsletter:
Appreciation is the highest form of prayer, for it acknowledges the presence of good wherever you shine the light of your thankful thoughts.
-Alan Cohen

And so it is.

Oh, October!

Overnight, it seems, fall has arrived. The crickets are suddenly silent and there is a slight chill in the air. After weeks of 90 degree weather during this continued drought, it's a relief!

I begin to notice the golden leaves, the soft diffused light of morning and the pinestraw accumulating on the lawn. Pumpkins and scarecrows appear on doorsteps and I'm finally ready to pull out my harvest decor.

This weekend was a true delight - going through items from the attic of my favorite autumn colors, raking the front yard without breaking a sweat (much), lighting candles in the evening. It's the start of winter hibernation and I'm ready for it!

My thoughts turn to pumpkin pie and spiced cider. I crave soup and thick slices of homemade bread. It's interesting how introspective I become as the weather gets cooler, turning inside for warmth. I think of a hermit burrowing deep in a cave with a small fire and a thick warm blanket. I search for slippers!

Last night, the weatherman informed us that we have another week of 80 degree weather. Oh, well. The past two days have been a taste of the season to come. Enough to make it through another week of heat!