Give thanks

It’s been quite a year, hasn’t it? For a year where we weren’t really supposed to do much of anything (or anything fun), it’s somehow flown by and it’s already the end of November…which in the U.S. means it’s time to give thanks, albeit in smaller groups this year.

Even though it’s easy to think about what we don’t have and can’t do, here are some things that came to mind that call for giving thanks.

Give thanks if you…

…are reading this, because you have a computer/laptop/tablet a/o phone or access to one.

…are healthy.

…have family and friends who are healthy.

….have family and friends whom you can visit in person/via some sort of other technology.

…have a job (if you want/need one) or are retired.

…have a home.

…have food.

…have access to health care if you need it.

…have books/e-books/cable/some sort of entertainment.

…have transportation of some sort.

There are many more reasons to give thanks, some that are particular to you. Even though the Thanksgiving we celebrate today is only official in the U.S., I encourage each you to take a moment to think of the reasons you have to be thankful. Happy Thanksgiving or happy thanks-giving and let’s remember those who are truly suffering due to this pandemic and see what we can to do help them.

Thursday doors…It’s not just cherries.

Okay, it’s unlikely that Fougerolles will ever be luring tourists by advertising its selection of doors,  but it’s not just all cherries and distilleries.  Here’s a small selection for your Thursday delectation.  Be sure not to miss the last one!

Here in the U.S., we’re celebrating Thanksgiving.  I have so much for which to be thankful and you, my blogging friends, are certainly a part of that.  Thanks for making my days brighter and more interesting.

Changing holidays

A few days ago, the sun shone in on my Thanksgiving gourds and pumpkins as well as on the pile of shimmery Christmas garlands waiting to be used, perfectly highlighting the change from Thanksgiving to Christmas, fall to winter. It’s the most wonderful time of the year!  🙂

Merry Chr…JUST STOP!!!

I know many of us love Christmas.  It’s my favorite holiday, for both religious and family reasons.  But. Just. STOP!!!  You’re missing the holiday chance of a lifetime, a chance to both enjoy family a/o friends, food, and an opportunity to count your blessings.

Before you dive into the appetizers, the drinks, the turkey, the mashed potatoes, or whatever food you prefer (my family tends to like my homemade ravioli for every holiday), take a minute to think about what you’re thankful for.  You might go around the table and do this, make your own lists, take a moment of silence to think about it, but PLEASE, make that list! And put aside thoughts of Christmas just for the day.  By rushing Christmas, you miss the chance to take a just to be thankful.  I think that’s something that in this day and age of negativity, we dearly need!

We have so much for which to be thankful.  Having an “attitude of gratitude” every day and not just on Thanksgiving (which, if you live in the US, is today) makes all the difference.  If you blog, you have a computer and internet access, a blessing in itself. But if you start listing your blessings, you’ll find you won’t have time to dwell as much on the less positive things in your life.

Our family won’t be together until Christmas.  Today it’s just my husband and me,  recovering either from a cold (me) or sinus infection (him.)  But to be able to simply take a day to relax and recover, sleep, read, watch TV, take a walk, or whatever else, together, is blessing enough.  And of course, I’m thankful for each and every one of you who reads and comments on my blog, a daily source of joy.  Thanks to each of you and may God richly bless you, today and every day!

From me to you

After reading comments this morning, let me add that I know not everyone celebrates Thanksgiving or at least not on this day.  That’s fine.  Take a moment or two to think about your blessings anyway.

Cee’s Oddball Photo Challenge: Week 40…always support

Oddball photos are found everywhere; photos that defy categorization or are just downright odd.  As we found out when getting ready to put the Thanksgiving turkey into the pan, everyone and everything needs support!

A Thanksgiving photo haiku

Thanksgiving

Giving thanks

When you love what you have, you have everything you need.

Raving about ravioli

For many people, making pasta, especially ravioli, seems like something you can only do if you’re Italian.  Not true!  I took take a couple cooking classes to learn how to make ravioli, but you only need to read this post.  Once my family discovered I could make ravioli, our Thanksgiving dinner entree was set.

There are a variety of tasty fillings, but today I filled my Thanksgiving ravioli with an artichoke filling. When I use two fillings, I also make spinach ravioli in addition to the plain ones.  That way people can tell which ravioli has which filling.

One great thing is that you can make ravioli and freeze them.  And just today, I finally figured out the best way to freeze them without trying to dry them first.   So put on your apron.  Here we go.  (There’s still plenty time to make them for Thanksgiving or plan ahead for Christmas.)

Pasta

2 ¼ c. flour
3 large eggs
1 t. salt

Mound flour on clean countertop or table.  Make a well and add salt.  Carefully break in eggs.  Gently mix salt and eggs together with a fork.  Slowly incorporate in the flour until you get a paste.  Use your fingers to continue incorporating flour until the dough has absorbed as much as it can without becoming stiff and dry.  Keep getting rid of hard, crusty bits from hands/table/flour.  Knead dough for about 10 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic, adding in more flour if it becomes sticky.  Dough should spring back when poked gently with a finger. Let rest for 20 minutes, covered with a slightly damp dishtowel.