Comments on: Thanksgiving 2009

By: Just Julie

Just Julie — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 19:24:00 +0000

In reply to Tauni. I thought of you all week, Tauni, knowing about your Thanksgiving memories with your dad. Thank you for your wonderful thoughts put to words. I look forward to chatting soon!

By: Tauni

Tauni — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 18:38:53 +0000

Hey Jules ~ thanks for giving us a small but wonderful glimpse into your holiday. Thanksgiving for me has many mixed feelings. It has always been my favorite holiday for all the same reasons you listed in your post. But the biggest reason was because it was my day with my daddy. We both loved it and it gave us an opportunity to connect on a very deep level. It usually meant driving to where ever he was and spending the whole weekend together. Since his death I both dread it and love it at the same time. I dread it because he is no longer on Earth for me to enjoy it with, but love it because I have so many special memories.

Since my dad’s passing I have been the one to make the Thanksgiving Day feast. Usually we have a large crowd with all our kids and grandkids so it is done on paper plates and plastic silver ware since I usually spend a couple of days baking and cooking. This year however we had a very small group, just ten of us scheduled and Benjamin being the only grandchild in attendance. I was really looking forward to the quiet dinner and was excited at the anticipation that I was going to be able to use my fine china (a legacy left by my beloved grandmother). Then, at the last minute, literally 5 minutes before my daughter and her husband, Shannon and Matt, were due to leave their home for the hour+ long drive to our place, Benjamin showed signs of being sick and they ended up in the ER room 🙁 where he was diagnosed with a bacterial sinus infection! So, they were the beloved family members conspicuously absent. Then there were eight. I have an 89 year old neighbor whom we invited, but bowed out because some of her extended family were coming to take her out. That event ended early and she was able to join us, at least for company if not for a very little plate of food, then there were nine ~ she turned out to be our unexpected guest! The food is usually the same each year, including the green bean casserole! The rest of the day was uneventful, however warming the heart. Football on in the background, wonderful smells, coffee, pies galore and a wonderful conversation with my “new” uncle (my step-father’s brother)! While I will always think of and miss my dad terribly on Thanksgiving, God is faithful to continue to remind me that He is the one in control, and blessings continue to flow in many unexpected ways if I choose to leave my heart open to the possibilities! Oh, and Julie, your tree is beautiful!! Much love to you and yours ~ Taun

By: Sharon

Sharon — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 14:06:45 +0000

Everything sounds and looks so wonderful! I can’t wait for my babies to have Thanksgiving and Grandma and Grandpa’s house.

By: Dorothy Sooter

Dorothy Sooter — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 23:54:23 +0000

Julie, your home looks so beautiful and homey. I had hoped to have come and seen you by now, maybe next year. Your tree is fantastic and loved seeing the grandchildren. Can understand your missing Sharon and her family. Hope they are able to come for Christmas. Your father would have loved to have seen your home and he would have been so very happy and proud of what you and Michael have done in raising a beautiful family and having such wonderful grandchildren.
Love, Dorothy

By: Just Julie

Just Julie — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 23:32:11 +0000

In reply to Deb. I loved the peek into your celebration, Deb. Thank you!

By: Deb

Deb — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 19:16:05 +0000

Sounds like you had a wonderful, wonderful day!
Yesterday was the first Thanksgiving in 29 years that it was just the two of us. No children this year. 🙁 Jenny chose not to come and Kyle was in his new home in Madison.
I was busy in the kitchen most of the day and Dean tidied up the garage but we took time to take our little dachshund Daisy for TWO walks and also put up our outdoor Christmas lights.
This year I did NOT make the famous green bean casserole (as the the one who really likes it was not there) but served fresh asparagus instead. We also tried a new cranberry salad that was really good but since it has more than two ingredients…….
I’ll remember it as being very quiet, intimate and sweet, and warm enough outside to have the kitchen windows open to cool off the cook!