GIVING THANKS

 

Appetizers by Jessie. Photo by Bobbi.

Something that I am thankful for is that we celebrate Thanksgiving in America.  When we lived on our boat in Mexico it wasn't celebrated there.  We hired a local to roast a turkey for us for the day.  It didn't taste the same as turkeys do in the U. S.  (We hoped it wasn't a pelican as we noticed there were not as many fishing in the bay the next day.) 

Each year I like to contemplate  all our blessings.  Having a federal holiday set aside helps to unify Americans to all be together in our thanks.  I imagine my ancestors making a big meal that day. Many had settled in New England as early as the 1600's. 

When my maternal grandfather arrived in Spokane in 1910 on the first Sunday, up on the highest hill he could find, overlooking the city, he prayed and planned....He hoped that his story would help all freedom loving people into a fuller and richer life here on earth, and cause them to think of what is in store for them in the life hereafter.

 

Smoked turkey by Jessie.  Photo by Chris.

We were so happy to move back to the U.S. Our son-in-law Jessie is a master at smoking a turkey.

 

Casserole by Chris.  Photo by Bobbi.

We added marshmellow and pecan topped baked yams to our menu for the holidays.  Daughter Heather would set the table with her fraternal great grandmother's Lamberton Ivory China Made in America Dolly Madison pattern.

Here are some pictures from Thanksgivings past:

Spokane 1972 Grandma Isabel, Robert, Jeanne, Hollis, Grandpa Claude, Ralph, Nan

1974 Thanksgiving in Spokane Heather, Grandma Isabel, Grandpa Claude, Alf, Janet, me

Grandpa Dave

Redwood City Grace Grandma, Wayne, Sue, Davy, Evy, Dave Grandpa, Jack, Ruth, Martha, Jay

 

Thanksgiving in Redmond 2005 Jessie, Wayne, Mary, Grace Marie, me

Thanksgiving in Redmond Natalie, Jessie, Andrew, Heather, Samantha, Grandma Cindy

Thanksgiving in Carnation Heather, Jessie, Natalie, family friend, Andrew, Samantha, Jessie's grandmother

Thanksgiving in Carnation Wayne, Mary, Chris, friend, Natalie, Jessica, Jes, Samantha, Andrew

This is Christmas in Carnation Jennifer, Heather, Jessie, Jessica, Jes, me, Samantha, Natalie

When we don't roast our own turkey we purchase a frozen turkey breast and roast that the next day. (I got the idea from our friend, Nan.)  I like to bake a Marie Callender pumpkin pie as well.  We add baked yams and a vegetable along with cranberry sauce. 

We thank God for family and food and  all the many wonderful blessings He showers on us every day.  And as our first president, George Washington proclaimed in 1789:

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor, and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me "to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness."