A Blessed Thanksgiving Holiday

Thanksgiving for me always brings to mind

Family

Friends

Food

Thankfulness for the many ways we are Blessed

This year we flew to Pennsylvania for 10 days and spent Thanksgiving with my sister and her family as well as mom and dad.

We had some interesting flight times.  We woke from our beds at 3:00 to catch our 6 a.m.morning special flight and would have spent the rest of the day in a fog except the airlines was kind enough to arrange a 5 hour layover for us in Chicago.

So we decided to see if we could get all 6 of us people’s that were flying into the United Club lounge on 2 passes.

At first it was a no-go but then the sweet little ladies relented when they saw our precious small children (Justus & Audrey). Serenity was standing there, too, but she’s not that imposing either but about that time Wesley walked in and they started thinking of all the food a growing boy can eat (Inside the club they serve a Continental-type breakfast) and almost recanted.  But we hurriedly rushed in before they could say, “No”. (just kidding)

I thought we were part of the upper class for a while. I probably could get really used to airport clubs. Serenity was delighted because she could have a bagel. For some reason, she has a real affinity with the white flour of a bagel. Gotta work on that, I know.

So our 5 hours was spent resting in big over-sized chairs (feet propped up on my carry-on, all the while unaware I had a hole in the bottom of my shoe) and eating. Serenity and I ate enough cheese that there probably was a cheese shortage that day there in the lounge.

We were invited to Philip and Jody’s for a wonderful meal and fellowship (they really must love us, because they have us over every time we visit). Jody is an amazing hostess, always going the extra mile and her creativity is something to be envied. I just hope that when I hang around people like that some of their talents will rub off on me.

One thing for sure – I do get inspired.

Favor boxes that Jody made from file folders and leaves hand cut.

She knows how to put on a spread.

A few years ago we met an Amish family while visiting the Sanger’s. Since then, we’ve gotten together with them each time we go to Pennsylvania.

My pretzel recipe that we use and love came from this sweet lady.

The men did some work while we were there widening the back yard for my sister’s family.

That usually how we do things.  When they come to visit, we have a project that they help us with and when we go there we help them with something they’ve wanted to get done.

So I decided to help my sister out and organize her kitchen cupboards.

She didn’t ask me to but she graciously gave me permission to rearrange things with a few guidelines. I just love doing things like that. I mixed things up for her just enough that she’s probably still looking for her napkins. lol

I can’t even show you pictures because I’m sure she would kill me for that and I sort of want to keep on living for a while yet.. 🙂

Thanksgiving

Zoe had a lot of fun making our name cards.

Who can resist Reese’s Cups?

Thanksgiving Day was tremendous. My sister has got to be one of the best people I’ve ever seen for being able to remain calm while putting on a big spread.  She’s always got everything ready right on time, too. She amazes me.

I’m totally going to take this idea of tree trunks cut for food stands. It will go right along with the food holders Russell made me out of branches.

I’ve really got a craving for some of these about right now.  They were so good.

Here’s the picture of Dad carving the turkey.  Zoe tells me that every year somebody gets a picture of Grandpa (Dad) doing it. So I guess it was my turn this year.

Mom was his assistant.

Poems, songs, Scriptures and the recounting of God’s blessings were part of the evenings agenda.

Then there were the birthday’s.

Serenity and Audrey both had a birthday while we were there.

Serenity is now 15…

…and Audrey is 7. (gulp, my little princesses are growing up)

Audrey & Bethany

Lincoln & Justus

We wrapped up our stay by going to see Jonah at Sight and Sound Theatre. Fantastic!

No pictures of the show were allowed but we just happened to get some of the kids.:)

Then we had another 3:30 a.m. alarm wake-up with a plane to catch. A 5 hour lay-over in New Jersey where the United club lounge receptionists weren’t so willing to let 6 of us in on 2 passes.  So we were like everybody else and found us a deserted gate and sat for a very long time.Some decided not to sit but to stretch out on the floor.

Then the Hide and Seek game began.  Oh my, do I even have to mention who was the ring leader of that little game?  If you guessed my dear loving husband, you were spot-on.  We tried to look like we didn’t know him but I’m not sure how many were fooled. Maybe the United Club will change their mind next time and consider it safer to have us safely quarantined in their lounge. 🙂

Warning: Beware of when you think you might want to marry someone who’s not your average guy.  You could have some interesting moments in life. 🙂