Thankful...

We had both sets of parents along with my brother, his wife and new baby with us for Thanksgiving.  Here are a few photos.  I have been too busy to craft a really thoughtful post about Thanksgiving, as we are planning for a two week art show opening this Friday.  Here are a few photos from Thanksgiving...

The table...

 

The food (this is what comes from having four families making food for the day!) ... oven roasted turkey, smoked pork loin, smoked Boston butt, smoked turkey, cornbread dressing, gravy, squash casserole, creamed corn, collard greens, gourmet potatoes, green beans, purple hull peas, sweet potato casserole...

...lime jello salad, deviled eggs, Greek salad of broccoli & cauliflower with feta cheese, homemade cranberry relish, canned cranberry relish, pickled and olive assortments, French silk pies, pecan pie, and a homemade carrot cake. Abundance would be an understatement... but everyone had their favorite things!  And leftovers to go for one and all!

I am exceedingly thankful for all the wonderful blessings God has given me and at the top of the list is my family. Praying your Thanksgiving was warm, wonderful, and filled with loved ones.

Comfort and Joy! ...artwork complete and delivered, let the celebration begin!

Well, I delivered the last of my commissions last Friday. After a very full and wonderful weekend, I am so happy to feel Christmas cheer rising up within my soul. I don't know whether it's the relief of having all the artwork I promised to deliver done as promised, or whether it's being with my family and enjoying all the Christmas things we do together, or if it is just the beauty of the season... (probably all three) ... but I feel almost giddy, like I did as a very young child. Can you recall the excitement welling up, the sparkle in the eyes, the spring in the step that you felt as a child waiting for that special day to come? I don't always remember it, but this year it has risen in me like that.


Tonight was a special night with just the five of us. Each year we choose a restaurant to go to and then go out together to a local live nativity, or to the mall, or doing last minute things here and there. It is such a blessing to just be able to meld our busy schedules to have this special time together. I notice as the children get older, this becomes harder. But it is a priority and sets the tone for the rest of our week. I am so blessed with such loving and giving children and a very loving husband with whom I celebrated 23 years of marriage this past Sunday. I couldn't want for more. I pray for each of you that you are surrounded by loved ones this season, and that you will know deep in your heart the significance of Christ's birth, death, and resurrection.
Merry Christmas!