Do We Even Know What Thankfulness Means?

Today is Thanksgiving, and I'm sure that by this time of the day turkey has been carefully roasted, potatoes have been boiled and mashed, green beans have been transformed into a 'casserole', and pies aplenty have been baked to perfection and all consumed.

But, are we really thankful?  Are we thankful everyday, like we say we are, or do we just store it up for today - for a day off (for most), for a time of travel, for paltry pleasantries, for forced 'traditions', and family reunions?

Are any of us really acknowledging the help the Native Americans offered to the Pilgrims, without which the outcome of this country right now may be very different?  Do we recognize that, right now, Native Americans are doing what most of claim WE WOULD DO, which is exercise our rights as American citizens?  Be brave enough to protest peacefully?  To stand up to Goliath, so to speak?  Did you get hosed by freezing water today?  Did you have clean water to bathe in today, to drink with your massive meal?

We all love the heartwarming story of the woman who accidentally invited a total stranger to dinner, thinking she had texted her grandson.  How many of you would invite a total stranger, no matter their color, sexual orientation, political beliefs, physical appearance, health, income status or religious beliefs (or lack thereof)?

Do you put your money where your mouth is?  Do know what organizations you support and why?  Are you willing to help, really help, those less fortunate than you or do you just view people who are having hardships as scum and freeloaders?  Really - what does your heart say?  Do you walk the walk or just talk the talk.  Are you all talk and no action?  Do you post Facebook statuses claiming to "Always choose to be kind" but know that you don't?  Are you rude to others in public because you're an entitled customer and 'are always right'?

Christ - the head of this house - The unseen host at every meal, The silent listener at every conversation.

I feel that thankfulness is to be acknowledged 12 months, 365 days, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day  in ACTION.  When you realize that you really have nothing to complain about, when ALL of your needs are met, when you have a roof over your head, food to eat every day, are in good health, are warm when it's cold and dry when it's wet - it's time to look outside of yourself and around to the needs of others.

Help someone.  Use your manners.  Feed someone.  Make a donation of money and/or time to a worthy organization.  Be patient with others.  Smile at someone, dammit!  Try having perspective - attempt to understand the struggles of others.  Be empathetic.  DO SOMETHING.

 Make being thankful a verb.  And do it.

Happy Thanksgiving

Good Morning, All. I hope this day of thanks is finding you well. I hope that you will take some time, amid the cooking, preparing and cleaning, to enjoy this day with friends and family. Enjoy the long standing traditions enacted many years ago or perhaps this is the first year of a new tradition. If you are a host, be kind, welcoming and gracious to all guests; if you are a guest, be kind, respectful and grateful for a wonderful meal.


I am so very grateful for:

• My relationship with Jesus. Knowing that He is ever-present in my life and that He has saved me from eternal death.
• My wonderful family. My husband who works very hard in all areas of our life, and who is faithful to his family. My children who are beautiful, funny, and just a joy each and every day.
• Our jobs - in this economy and every other time in our lives I'm thankful that we have an income. I pray that we will be good stewards with the funds that are provided for us.
• Food to eat each and every day. It may not rival Olive Garden's menu, but I am thankful that we do not go to bed hungry.
• That we are warm when it's cold and dry when it's wet. I'm thankful that our home is sufficient for us.
• That at times there may things that we want; we always have what we need.
• My wonderful friends and family.

And of course:

My cuppa first thing in the morning.

This is what I've accomplished so far:
That's the pumpkin and here's the apple:
And here, awaiting a good butter rub, is Tom:
The turkey, of course!

Please have a wonderful, blessed day. Travel safely and cherish every moment with your friends and family.

God Bless!

Thanksgiving Activity for the Family

I just want to share a Thanksgiving activity that I did with my kids when they were young(er). We had a Thankful Tree. I wish I had a picture to share, but back in the day, I was horrible at taking regular pictures. And when I did, I'd be lucky to get the roll of film developed within the year. Anyway, I would take a paper brown grocery bag and cut it along a side corner length wise and cut out the entire bottom. I would now have a nice big piece of brown paper. I would tape it to the wall, blank side facing out. This has do be done at a height that is attainable for each child to reach. I would then use a marker to make the trunk of a large tree, and some grass, too. Using colored construction paper: yellow, orange, red and green, I would cut out large leaf shapes. If you have scrapbooking materials, you may have a leaf stencil. You could use a cookie cutter, too.

At the top of the paper, I would write: "We are thankful for. . . . . . . ". Everyday, each family member would select a leaf of any color, and write on it (by themselves or with help from Mom or Dad), one thing that they are thankful for. That leaf is then taped onto the tree. Some can be taped on the grass, as though they have fallen.

I would always allow them to write whatever they wanted on those leaves. After all, they have their own feelings and emotions. If they were thankful for video games, so be it. After all, I did write 'chocolate' every year. There were the pets, Dad's job, clean clothes, nice neighbors, etc.

And come Thanksgiving Day, we had a beautifully colorful tree that was full of the wonderful blessings of which we were all so thankful.

I believe this activity helped them as got older to appreciate, every day, the things that were provided for them.

Time of Thanksgiving

It's not just a Thursday in November. Not just turkey and apple pie and hearing how crowded the airports are. It's a mindset. It's a decision. I think especially during a time of trial and disappointment, we need to let the Lord know how thankful we are - for everything. I personally feel that the holiday of Thanksgiving gets overlooked because we go from Halloween candy right into Christmas decorations and music. We might see a few craft projects regarding turkeys and pilgrims and tips on cooking the perfect stuffing, and well, that's Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving should be every moment of every day. Paul tells us in the book of Philippians:
'Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.' (4:6)

In spite of any turmoil that we may be experiencing as an individual, family, community, or nation, we all have something to be thankful for. The Word tells us that when our faith is tested, is when our endurance grows. The results of this election should make the Christians of this country stronger as they unite together and place their trust in the Lord. I thank the Lord every day that He is our strength and our shield.

During these economic times, we may have to scale back on our spending and our wish list may be much shorter this year, but I ask you - Are your needs being met every day? Is there food on your table for you and your family? If you're reading this, you obviously have electricity. Are you able to stay home, by choice, to raise your children? Our needs are different from our desires. While it would be great to have a dinner every night that rivaled Olive Garden, sometimes a pb&j will have to be good enough. And you know what? It is. Are your children healthy and strong, running around the house, driving you nuts? Thank God. Do you have a pile of dirty laundry that just never gets any smaller, even though you wash four loads a day? Thank God. Do you have to get up extra early on a snowy winter's day to shovel the driveway so you can get your car to work on time? Thank God.

And I thank God for this freedom to praise Him and share my own thoughts and opinions in this public forum without any repercussion.

'So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.'
Colossians 2:6-7

Have a blessed day!!

Pumpkin Tarts

We had a little party at work on Friday and I wanted to bring in a little tasty to share. So I made these scrumptious pumpkin tarts. It's actually a Pampered Chef recipe (I used to be a kitchen consultant - briefly) and it's quick and just a little different from pie. The filling is just made up of 1 can of pumpkin, 2 cups of whipped topping, 1 tsp. pumpkin pie seasoning, and 1 - 3.4 oz box of cheesecake flavored pudding mix. I made the tart shells from ready-made pie crust that I used to cut star and round shapes using cookie cutters. I baked the empty shells in a mini-muffin pan for about 10 - 12 minutes at 400F. Once the tart shells had cooled, I filled them with the pumpkin filling. I had a lot of filling left over so I put it in a graham cracker crust and topped it with the left over whipped cream. I contemplated adding chocolate curls to the top but decided I didn't have to have chocolate on everything. I put this pie in the freezer and will probably have a piece before bed. This might be a recipe to try when you've been on a baking streak and don't want to have the oven on for one more day, or if you have a lot of pumpkin on your hands.

Enjoy!!