Tune into the Song of Thankfulness in YOU ...

Think today is a day for tuning out the materialism and worries of the world and tuning into the Song of Thankfulness in YOU!

A Happy, Inspiring Drawing By My Youngest =)

I’m thankful for so many things … Makes my head swim to stop and ponder an enumerated list. My list seems to have no real end. God, our Creator, is so good. He’s always with me and that gives me what I need to get through just about anything and still hold onto at least a glimpse of all that is good. When the darkness that sometimes finds me clears, the light of all the good in my life surrounds me and lifts me up to find my wings … Thankfulness, truly makes my heart sing. So on this special day of reflection with family, friends and loved ones, it is my sincerest hope that the song of thankfulness overwhelms you too and makes your heart sing its own glorious song. Let our songs of thankfulness reach out to touch the loved ones in our lives, multiplying to spread forth and renew the face of this weary land.

Happiness is a state of mind; change your perspective: change your LIFE!!
 

God Bless the USA!


May God’s Blessings of His Eternal Peace & Love
be yours this Thanksgiving Day and throughout the
Holiday and Christmas season ahead.

~Isabelle

A Day of Thankfulness ...

This world can use a day dedicated to Thankfulness ...

Thanksgiving ...

A moment's pause from chaos that is this daily life.

Today, a day of rest from outward, worldly strife.

Come together with special people on our journey.

Joined hands, bowed heads, and open hearts unite.

Conscious of  thankfulness for blessings in our lives.

@2011 Isabelle Black Smith.  All Rights Reserved.

My youngest informs me this evening ... "You know, Mommy, the first Thanksgiving was called the 'Harvest Feast' and they didn't eat turkey either; they ate eel, fish and venison." ... So I ask her if we should give up our turkey and have fish or eel instead. Her reply, "Uhhh, I don't think so!" ; )

Here's wishing you and yours a restful and truly blessed Thanksgiving.  Peace & Much LOVE to all!

Love,

~M

Go University of Oregon DUCKS!!

I need to write about something happy today. Thanksgiving was fun this year, from a snow point-of-view.  So even though we were away from  our family and friends, in Texas, we had our own little family of sorts along with lots of snow to help us celebrate this year.  According to locals who have lived here, in the Seattle area, all of their lives: "We've never had a White Thanksgiving!"  The kids had a blast with getting to miss two whole scheduled days of school due to the snow.  And of course, they thoroughly enjoyed going sledding for hours on end each day, including Thanksgiving Day!

The kids' "Monster Snowball" .... Thankfully, this thing was flung at me ; )

Fortunately, we had most of the supplies needed in order to throw together our Thanksgiving dinner, and what we didn't have: we just did without. So it was a simple Thanksgiving celebration; sometimes returning to basics helps to refocus your appreciation for all that you are truly grateful to have. And while extended family was greatly missed:  we made the most of the day, on our own, the best way we knew how to do.  I think, just maybe, getting back to the simpler things in life is something we as Americans, as a nation, should all be focused on this Thanksgiving most especially, given the state of our current economy.  Just a thought: take it for what you will.

Of course, no Thanksgiving would be complete without the college football games and holiday parades. Unfortunately, neither Ken's team (the Florida Gators) nor mine (University of Texas Longhorns) are having a very good year this year.  I guess our teams' poor performances are to be expected due to the influx of a large new freshman class of players who have seen very little game time this season.  A good friend of mine, however, happens to be a graduate of the University of Oregon.  Her team, The Ducks, are having an amazing year!  The Ducks are presently in first place and headed onto the National Championship last time I checked.  So I'd be willing to bet she --my high school friend, Kathy-- is pretty happy right now.  Bet she's cheering for her Ducks as we speak.  Go DUCKS! We'll be rooting for ya'll. : )

Another Thanksgiving Day ....

Cajun injected turkey, instant mashed potatoes, my amended veggie stuffing, whole cranberries out of a can and a frozen pumpkin pie ... Oh my?!  I did make homemade gravy and Ken made a loaf of homemade bread ...  

Drawing by my youngest from last year ... Kids were too busy sledding this year to spend time

coloring turkies, Indians and the like ...

Another Turkey day come and gone ... No mushy "Thankfulness" this year ...

A prayer for our military service persons overseas away from their own loved ones this Thanksgiving 2010.  And a champagne toast to the Pilgrims and Indians who had the right idea that original celebratory feast day so long ago.  With a nod to Hope that our spiraling out of control country will find its way back to the ideals of this long ago feast that we Americans religiously (mindlessly?) celebrate annually on Thanksgiving Day.