Giving Thanks on Thursday

Today was Thanksgiving Day.  A day in which to give thanks for all the blessings in our lives.  For me, they include my daughter, good health, family and friends, my home, having enough to meet all of my needs and some of my wants, and memories of loved ones who are now gone.

My day began with a phone call from Aunt C, who called to wish me and my daughter a happy Thanksgiving. 

Later, I prepared the fruit platter I was taking to my friend A's house and packed up the cornbread to be taken to Aunt T's house.

When I was getting dressed, however, I realized that I had forgotten to hem the new black pants my daughter had bought for me!  Oops!  Fortunately, I had a long black skirt my aunt T had given me, which had a pattern of scattered leaves on it which were the same color of the new plum sweater, so that's what I wore as my Thanksgiving outfit!  I discovered that the skirt was a bit too big, but it had a tie at the waist and it was fine.  I might need to take the skirt in a bit, so I'll put that in the alterations pile!

Then, in the afternoon, around 2:30 p.m., my daughter and I went to my friend A's house to share Thanksgiving lunch with her, her husband, and two daughters.  She had prepared a traditional Thanksgiving meal of turkey, ham, and all the usual side dishes of cranberry sauce, yams, stuffing, etc.  Before we sat down to our meal, A said a prayer and we each took a turn to say what we were thankful for.  After lunch, we sat around the table, chatting.  Friend A asked us to take some of the leftovers home with us, but I took only some fish cutlets she had made (the only Sri Lankan item on the menu) because my daughter loves cutlets and I don't make them that often (cutlets are made with a fish or ground beef that has been mixed with mashed potatoes and onion, dipped in batter, then rolled in bread crumbs and deep fried).

Around 6:00 p.m., we left A's house to go to aunt T's Thanksgiving dinner.  This was a larger gathering of about 25 people; all family, including some of the extended family (aunt T's son-in-law's siblings and their spouses; aunt T's grandson's wife's twin sister and two cousins, etc.)  Aunt had bought the ham, her older daughter (cousin V) had prepared her specialty roast beef as well as baked salmon, aunt's younger daughter (cousin R) had prepared the roast turkey, and other family members brought the various side dishes - salads, macaroni and cheese, scalloped potatoes, etc. 

It was nice to see everyone, and there was music and dancing, as well.  But, around 9:00 p.m., I was feeling tired, so daughter and I took our leave.  Cousin V urged me to take some leftovers home and, this time, I took a little ham, roast beef, and turkey, as well as some bread rolls.  Daughter and I will have sandwiches, tomorrow. 

We've been relaxing since we got home.  I responded to a couple of blog comments, exchanged emails with a friend, and have just made us a cup of tea.

Today, I am grateful for:
- My many blessings
- Each morning that I wake up, alive and relatively well
- Having my daughter home with me for Thanksgiving
- Being able to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family and friends
- My blog friends - I appreciate you taking the time in your busy days to read and comment on my blog.  You have all been very kind and considerate when commenting, too, and supportive.  I know that some who used to comment have stopped doing so, maybe they've stopped reading my blog, but I am grateful I had the opportunity to hear from them when they did comment.

Friday's To Do List:
- Hem the new pairs of pants/slacks
- Decluttering

What are your plans for Friday?  Do you plan to do any Black Friday shopping?