While most people are headed back to work this morning, I took today off and gave myself a 5-day Thanksgiving weekend. It’s been blissful.
And speaking of Thanksgiving, I had to work the Wednesday before, so I had limited time to do my cooking and prep. Fortunately, Steve was a huge help, Meagan and Madi brought food, and Steve’s brothers also pitched in.
Before everyone arrived, I grabbed a few photos, just for my own happiness.
Steve and his brothers spent a little time visiting on the deck before the meal. It was fun to see them in a place where they have sat together for four decades.
We ended up with quite the spread.
After dinner, the guys started a fire out back.
They had a photo bomber.
The moon even peeked through the trees to see what was going on
Right before Nathan and the family left, Meagan got a photo of Andrew and me. It looks like I am frowning but I am just concentrating because it is a rare occasion when he stops his busy boy-ness long enough to sit down with me for a conversation.
I also got a few photos of the beauty that is our granddaughter.
Madison loves her daddy!
celebrated Thanksgiving with his family, but at Christmas, we will have the whole crew at our house.
Speaking of Gage, I wanted to show off his artwork at Trader Joe’s, where he works.
Here is his description of the process:
“This was the first time I was given total control over the window artwork. These windows will be the first and last thing that over 50,000 customers will see when visiting our store in December. It took ten hours of drawing on top of a ladder in the cold, night air and even more planning out the colors, shape, and linework, as well as the framing of the scenes. The medium is not easy, and I’m glad I was able to pull it off.”
I think he did more than just pull it off, don’t you? I think he nailed it!
We’re so thankful for each member of our family and all the gifts and unique qualities they bring to this world.
And I am thankful for my many Smithellaneous friends who tune in here each week to read and leave comments. It has been such a privilege to spend time with you over the years.
Happy first day of December, and may you find many large and small reasons to be thankful today.
What about you?
How was your Thanksgiving?
Did you host or travel to someone else’s house?
Do you have any cooking snafus or triumphs to share?
This year we hosted with just our immediate family. Our youngest daughter came out Wednesday evening and spent the night and we did some prep work, then got up at 5:00 to prep the turkey, put it in the oven and go back to bed. She made a delicious garlic butter to coat the turkey and herbs & citrus for the cavity. It smelled and tasted delicious! Your celebration looks like a great time. And Gage’s windows are AMAZING!
Sue Ellen,
I need for your daughter to come to my house and make turkey. Her recipe sounds amazing! I have given up on making a whole turkey and only make a turkey breast.
Yes, I would have to agree about Gage’s windows. Quite the work of art.
Our Thanksgiving went well. I always host. Jessica was sick, so she and Will weren’t here. Just 5 of us. Still just as hectic getting everything to the table at the same time, and have it be warm. And then after, sitting there thinking about cleaning it all up. That’s the worst part, but it’s worth it.
So glad you had 5 days off! How nice!!
I love the pictures from your table!
I noticed something different about the 3 brothers sitting outside, and that’s the way they were all sitting different with their legs!! Strange thing to notice, right? 🤣
I must say Gage really did a great job on those windows! Very talented!!
Loved all the pictures. Maddie is such a pretty girl! I see Meagan in her smile. 🙂
Have a Merry Christmas month!
Carol
Carol,
That is so true that it’s a challenge to get everything to the table at the right time whiole it’s still hot. Non-cookers probably don’t realize just how challenging that is!
I think it’s cool that you noticed that the Smith brothers were all sitting differently. It’s fun to have a mind that notices things other people don’t notice.
Hope Jessica is back on the road to health and your kitchen project is almost at an end! Hugs to all.
Woah. His window art is absolutely stunning.
Ellen,
Thanks so much for the encouragement. He is a gifted and creative artist!
Gage definitely nailed it. He is soooo good! Do know that your family is always willing to step in and help with anything that needs doing. A well set table!!!! We had a nice Thanksgiving with our daughter and 3 of her “kids” (a daughter went to her in-laws. My niece and her boyfriend also came. We are truly blessed!
Sharyn,
Glad you had a good Thanksgiving spent with people who are special to you. Hard to believe Christmas is already so close, with more meals and family time. It’s a rich and blessed season.
‘t’s
It makes me happy to know you had five well deserved days off!
I loved all the pics of your Thanksgiving gathering. Such a wonderful bunch of beautiful people! And I’m glad Gage and Sarah will complete the crowd for Christmas!
Gage’s artwork is truly amazing. It was interesting to read a little of how it was done. That is a lot of work but what a result! I know December’s 50,000 Trader Joe shoppers will be an appreciative audience!
We did host a small group of our family at Thanksgiving, but happily there were no cooking snafus. Which is always a possibility when I cook! 😁
Love, Deb
Deb,
Those five days were beyond fabulous, especially since I got a closet and a few drawers cleaned out and can enjoy looking at them instead of dreading opening them!
I cannot begin to imagine coming up with and then painting the design that Gage did. I know it will make many TJ folks smile.
Hooray for no snafus! I know everyone enjoyed your cheery and charming decorations.
Beautiful windows Gage has done.
Thanksgiving was great at the daughter in laws. Got to see 2 of our great grands so that was the best.
My cooking snafu this year was a collapsed pie crust. I have had crusts fold inward, but this one went out and just fell off on 3/4 of the pie. I evidently filled it too full which caused the crust to go outward and literally collapse. It broke off and hung off the oven rack in several places, and the pumpkin mix ran out as well. Thankfully I had put a cookie sheet under the pie. Still tasted good, but looked awful.
Patti,
A collapsed pie crust? I’m not sure that I’ve ever heard of that particular snafu. And I thought I had already done all the snafus possible!
I am thankful right along with you that you put a cookie sheet under the pie; that would have been an enormous mess. And hooray for still tasting good! That’s what counts, right?
A Thanksgiving to remember. 🙂
Happy Thanksgiving!! For the first time in my 34 year marriage, I did not cook Thanksgiving dinner or some part of it. We went out to eat. I was having second thoughts in the days building up to Thanksgiving, but as we walked out of the restaurant and I did not have one dish to wash or leftover to find a home for, I was so glad we did that. I will cook again next year though. I love cooking Thanksgiving. We always had the tradition of going to my mom’s for Thanksgiving. I am only child, so I ended up cooking most of the meal. My mom was not a lover of cooking. Since I lost her in 2019, I have been intentional about doing something different every year. While I love traditions, this one was hard to lose after she died.
Gage is so incredible talented. I am envious of those who can draw or paint so beautifully. You have to “see” it before you do it and that is not in my skill set. I am happy that God gave that talent to generous people who love to share it with others. Trader Joes is one of my favorite stores. The nearest one to me is two hours away, so I have to plan to go and stock up when I do.
I love that you are celebrating Thanksgiving in a home where you have such deep roots. What a beautiful picture of the full circle.
Lisa,
I love your change of tradition and not cooking; I have been tempted in that direction myself! I’m glad you’re going to get back to it again this year, since it’s something you enjoy, but what a lovely break from all the planning and the work.
I’m like you. I can’t visualize things the way Gage can. Unless it’s right in front of me, there’s way I can imagine it. I know it makes Gage happy to share his gift with others.
I love Trader Joe’s too but hardly ever get there. Sarah and Gage often buy things from there for gifts; always warmly received!
Glad you have a rest day-enjoy.
I like the covered bridge-skaters window–so nicely done-even the little marks on the ice from skates- wonderful detail.
I agree-Madison is a beauty-within and out as she grows in the grace and knowledge of Jesus.
Ruth
Ruth,
You have such an eye for detail; I know you appreciated all the details Gage included in his window art.
I’m thankful that Madi’s parents teach her about the all-important inner beauty. She is lovely in so many ways.