THANKSGIVING WEEK FAVES

 

I only had two teaching days this week and now am on Thanksgiving break.

I'm still in shock that it's the week of Thanksgiving.  I'm writing this from Plymouth County where the Pilgrims landed and had their big feast the next winter with some of the Native Americans who taught them how to plant the "three sisters".  Google it.  My husband's great great times 8 grandfather came over on the Mayflower so this is a huge holiday with his clan.  

I'll pause though for a bit and share FIVE of my FAVE blessings from the past week.  A few of us participate in this weekly gratitude meme and we all link up at Susanne's site.  I'm thankful she keeps this going as it's so good for us to find things to be thankful for all throughout the year...not just this one day in November.

• MANY CHORES COMPLETED:  I had several chores to do around town and the house last weekend.  I'm thankful I was able to complete every single one.

Trail leading into the Ann Lee Pond Preserve
Albany, NY
21 November

Ann Lee Pond
......such a calm November afternoon

the trail under leaves

thankful for red blazes on trees...
......where's the trail??

• SUNDAY HIKE:  Sunday after church, my husband had a Production work meeting to get the stage ready for the Christmas season. This left me with a couple of hours to do some hiking in one of our local nature preserves. I chose this place.  I only hiked the larger red loop (a mile) but it felt great to be outdoors on a crisp, sunny late autumn afternoon.  I saw a few other hikers but it was relatively quiet in there and at one point  I had the trail to myself.   I'm thankful for good nature preserves close to home. 

• SERVICE PROJECT:  The members of my book group decided to help me bless the daughter of my neighbor-friend.  This girl is  in her early 30s and has a husband, 3 yr old son and 6 mo old baby girl.  The girl used to babysit for my own daughters and she is now a kindergarten teacher.  Well, 3 weeks ago her mom (my friend) told me she has an invasive, aggressive form of cancer and it has spread to her lymph nodes.  Her daughter (S) found this out just 3 weeks ago at a routine mammogram.  She is only 33 years old!! She is taking 5 months off from teaching to focus on her health and her chemo treatments start next week.  Well, I decided this would be our service project...so we can help be the hands and feet of Jesus to this unchurched family.  My book group members went all out!!  Toys for the children for xmas, personal care items for S as she copes with chemo and restaurant and grocery store gift cards. I'm amazed at the generosity of my friends and sisters in Christ. And I'm oh so thankful we can minister to S in this small way.  (I have shared my faith with S's mom in the past...if you are a Believer, please help me pray for this family!).

• SAFE TRAVELS:  My husband left in his CRV loaded with all the ingredients/food/veggies for a traditional Thanksgiving feast on Wednesday morning for Plymouth County.  My youngest daughter followed about an hour later in her car.  I stayed home to do some last minute things and some housework.  My oldest daughter left her apartment around  9:30 to head into work for a few hours and then picked me up in her car to travel out to MA.  We were in charge of bringing all the tablecloths, decor, hors d'oeuvres stuff and last minute items. (have you ever tried to cook for 18 people in 2 different kitchens and then schlep everything across town to a big church fellowship hall???? and not even in your own state??  I don't recommend it!) anyways,  it was our turn to cook for Dave's clan and I'm super thankful we all made it out there safely. In fact, it was odd but there was NO stop and go traffic on the Mass Pike on late Wednesday for the first time in 31 years. Maybe people are doing less traveling still??

First Church
West Bridgewater, MA
Where we had our Thanksgiving Feast

My in-laws Warren and Betty with all of their grandchilden:
Claire, Adam, Hanna, Courtney, Beth, Ron, Debbie

My youngest girl Claire with her "dog cousin" Kyss

A beautiful ending to a wonderful day

• THANKSGIVING!  Yesterday was busy, loud, crazy....and precious.  My mother in law was let out of rehab for a couple of hours since she tested negative for Covid and it was the first time in 2 years that all of the family could gather for Thanksgiving dinner.  Dave and I cooked at my brother in law Peter's and my father in law's houses, then we moved all the food across town to my in-laws Unitarian church known as "First Church" to have the family gather for the feast.  All of the grandchildren made it.  One niece flew in from Scotland, one lives in Canada, one lives in NM, and 2 live in MA and 2 in NY (my daughters).  My in-laws were so happy to be together!  Everything went well and Claire and I even managed to find time to take a quick walk after dinner before the sun began to set. I'm thankful for family and good food and the chance to reflect on where my husband's ancestors came from via that boat Mayflower! 

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving (those of you who live in the States) and that you enjoy a relaxing weekend.