Tag Archives: Thanksgiving

Five of Many!

Whoa! It has been weeks and weeks since I participated in Susanne’s Fave Five at Living to Tell the Story and I have nothing but life to blame. Seasons come and seasons go but one thing never changes and remains and for that I am ever so grateful (Hebrews 13:8). Although I haven’t participated I have visited some of your Fives. Today it will be fun to see what all of you have been up to.

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My Five Favorite things that I’m thankful for this past week:

1. That our family could get together for a early Thanksgiving celebration this past Saturday and we all got to meet and enjoy our son’s girlfriend.

2. For times together with the family away from our table. We had a nice time out on Sunday for brunch and a wee stroll around Pike Place Market in downtown Seattle.

3. For my faithful “Dear” who continues to work hard in the market place and at home and provides well for our household.

4. For reports we get from Afghanistan when our Son in law, Andrew , makes it back from “Missions” safe and sound.

5. For my pop’s well being since my mom died this past September. After living with your love for 70 years it’s not easy living alone. I enjoy getting the facebook photos from my sister and niece when they take him dinner on a weekly basis. Here’s another facebook photo my sister sent me that makes me smile. This is the first recliner he has ever called his own or chair for that matter. It took 90 years for him to get his favorite chair and Dear and I are so thankful we could buy it and have it delivered from 1200 miles away (the chair wasn’t delivered from that far but the arrangements were made from afar). He called me after it was delivered and said “lyena, when I sat down in the chair I just laughed, I was so happy.”

popI think it still has the tags on it in this photo.

Bonus Fave: I’m so thankful that God loves me and sent His son to die in my place so that I can have so much hope for the future no matter what this life throws at me and for everything that comes and goes His love remains and He is the same.

Happy Thanksgiving and Gobble Gobble y’all!

A bonus question if you want to answer it (or are old enough to answer) as I noticed today is November 22nd and 50 years since the day JFK was assassinated. Where were you on that day when you heard the news? Did you know that C.S. Lewis died on this very day, too?

My answer: I was in 8th grade science class at Montebello Junior High in California. Our science teacher gave us the news. It was such a somber sad day at school. Each class we went to there were tears and disbelief and then we all went home and were glued to our televisions. It wasn’t until years later that I learned C.S. Lewis died on this day, too.

Thanksgiving Comes Early…

…and continues through November!

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Dan and Jamie (upper right) drove from Eastern Washington to spend an early Thanksgiving with us. They arrived late on Friday night and we were thankful for their safe journeys. Saturday morning Dear and I met Jamie in our kitchen and knew that we liked her easy spirit. My sister Lana and her husband Steve joined us for our early Thanksgiving meal. They had just returned from the Dominican Republic where they were able to minister to the poorest of the poor. They shared their experience and we were thankful for their trip and life changing experience. We stood around the table joining our hands and Dear expressed our gratitude to God for all he has given us relationally and materially. Filled to the gills we cleaned up and Dear and I headed to bed while the rest enjoyed games around the table laughing heartily into the night. God is good to us and we are forever thankful to Him.

For those who are curious about such things, our Thanksgiving meal was very traditional. Turkey, stuffing, yams (with brown sugar, butter, and marshmallows), mashed potatoes, gravy, and rolls. Being concerned about our lack of green on our plates my sister Lana contributed a lovely green soup which consisted of pureed sauteed in onion spinach, asparagus, broccoli, zucchini, and jalapeno. It was delicious and we were happy that the green requirement was met. Pumpkin and Razzleberry pie with whipped cream for dessert and some lovely beverages all along the way…

He Giveth More Grace ~ Hymn

He Giveth More Grace

He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials His multiplied peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.

His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

Words: Annie J. Flint, (1866-1932).

There and Back Again…

Last Friday afternoon Dear and I traveled to Chilliwack, B.C. and home again the same evening. Bev and Harv treated 12 of the Mennonite Girls and their husbands to a wonderful evening of delicious food and fellowship filled with lots of laughter.

Most of these photos were taken by Anneliese and Judy. Thank you girls for letting me use them in this collage. Dear and I had several offers to spend the night in Chilliwack but we had to return the same night because of Dear’s work obligations.

The main dish will be featured in our new cookbook. Our meal started with a lovely soup course, followed by a salad course, main course, and dessert of Chocolate Mousse pictured in the collage.

A huge thank you to Bev and Harv for hosting us and providing us with delicious food and opening the door to a night of laughter filled fellowship! We appreciated every minute of our time together!

I’m in preparation mode around here. Got all my meal shopping done yesterday. We might include a special breakfast in our day tomorrow since Thanksgiving dinner will not be until 4:00 P.M. tomorrow. We’re praying our son’s trip across the pass will be uneventful and that he’ll get here without delay on Wednesday night. Don’t be surprised if there is no new activity here for a while…

The Marine Birthday Ball ~ Oorah!

Our daughter and son-in-law attended their first Marine Birthday Ball last Friday in Wilmington, North Carolina. Last year during the ball Andrew was in Afghanistan. We are happy he is home this year to experience the fun celebration with Katie.

Day 19 of the grace challenge I am thankful for our son-in-law and his service to our country and for our daughter who supports him in his service. I am ultimately thankful to God for his protection of them.

My daughter was apologetic for not taking photos of the table scapes at the Ball. She said, “Sorry I missed the tablescapes and the food…tables were alternating red on gold(more mustard) and gold on red, with bows on chairs and napkins in alternating colors table by table. Ha! She knows her mother.

We are on the home stretch for our Thanksgiving Celebrations starting on Thursday. Today I’m making my lists! I know our Canadian neighbors celebrated Thanksgiving over a month ago. Are you preparing for Thanksgiving or are you preparing for Christmas?

Now the Year is Crowned with Blessing ~ Hymn

Now the Year is Crowned with Blessing

Now the year is crowned with blessing
As we gather in the grain;
And, our grateful thanks expressing,
Loud we raise a joyous strain.
Bygone days of toil and sadness
Cannot now our peace destroy,
For the hills are clothed with gladness
And the valleys shout for joy.

Refrain

To the Lord their first-fruits bringing,
All His thankful people come,
To the Father praises singing
For the joy of Harvest-Home.

In the spring the smiling meadows
Donned their robes of living green,
As the sunshine chased the shadows
Swiftly o’er the changing scene;
In the summer time the story
Of a riper hope was told;
Then the rich autumnal glory
Decked the fields in cloth of gold.

Refrain

Shall not we, whose hearts are swelling
With the thought of former days,
Sing a joyous song foretelling
Future gladness, fuller praise?
For the cloud the bow retaineth
With its covenant of peace,
That, as long as earth remaineth,
Harvest time shall never cease.

Refrain

Though the fig tree may not flourish,
Though the vine no fruit may yield,
Though the earth no flocks may nourish
In the fold or in the field,
Still our hearts will trust His power
Who the ravens stoops to feed,
And the hand that clothes each flower
Shall supply our utmost need.

Refrain

Words: Ellen T. Fowler

Joy!

Thank you to all of you who prayed that the Marine’s would let Andrew come to Atlanta with Katie. The powers that be approved his trip and we are pleased and filled with joy!

I made a trip to Hobby Lobby this week and they had a lot of goodies on sale for 40% off and other items for 50% off. I bought that Joy sign that was in their Christmas section but it’s staying up at my house all year long. They also had all their glassware at 50% off so I bought some glass containers for my Smirntopf. I’ve been waiting for this kind of sale to purchase them.

Sure hope my Smirntopf turns out well. It will look pretty in these containers for gift giving.

After Thanksgiving we’ll start thinking about giving the Smirntopf a taste test and getting it ready to package for gifts.

Today I’m thankful for…

~ God making it possible for Andrew to come to Atlanta.

~ Our trip to Atlanta where we get to see Andrew and Katie.

~ Our second cookbook and all the encouraging words we heard from all our friends in blogdom.

~ Getting a couple more of my recipes for the cookbook completed.

~ Our small group and the 2 new couples that have joined us.

~ Dear’s promotion at work.

~ A day off today to just putz around and get ready for Atlanta.

~ Our Women’s Bible Study and the beginning of our study of the book of John.

~ That our son Dan is now the proud owner of his own home and land and has slept there for a week!

~ That our son Josh was recognized in his industry for his humanitarian endeavors.

Last but not least…I’ve lost 12 pounds!!!

What are you thankful for…