Pumpkin Pies and Thankful Hearts

As I write this, the smell of pumpkin pies baking is wafting through the house. It is late on the night before Thanksgiving and I am the only one still up. Gretchen and Ed completed stage one of feast preparation tonight in a cooking extravaganza in her kitchen. Listening to them laugh and talk as they worked made my heart light. They have so much fun in the kitchen that it ought to be illegal! They sure can't call it work! Tomorrow we will definitely be eating ourselves silly, and so tonight I can't help but feel a bit more reflective.

There are many things that I am thankful for this year... and it is good to be able to say that. My husband, my kids, my grandchildren (and soon to be arriving grandchild), my work, my students, my home, my church, my community, my country.... wow, it's all mine! I am rich beyond measure!

Thanksgiving is and will always remain one of my very favorite holidays. No stress beyond a dinner, no shopping beyond the groceries, and nothing to do all day but enjoy the food and fellowship of those we love. THAT is a perfect holiday! I keep promising myself that I'll find a way to make Christmas a less complicated holiday too... so far with much less success... but it's something to strive for. Happy Thanksgiving everyone! May your blessings outnumber your cares and may we ALL have more thankful hearts in the coming year!

Ahhhh Fall!

Fall arrived in Missouri since my last post. It was a long-awaited thing too. Finally the temps cooled, the trees started to turn into something quite gorgeous, and the it was sweater and bonfire weather. Weekends at the vineyard became something to look forward to as they meant relaxing and enjoying a sunset with friends. Check out the latest shots!