Thirteen Years Ago

Thanksgiving this year was quiet and cozy,

and for the first time in history I made appropriate amounts of food. 

This year we will not be throwing away leftovers. I am feeling proud.

On Thanksgiving day my dear friend and neighbor Joann popped in as she was taking her daily walk. Not being able to resist, I bolted for the door. So clear. So warm. We all know what's coming. Gotta soak in every last second of this while we can.

We eventually made our way up to the top of the ridge to take in the view from our neighbor's barn.

Thirteen years ago, long before there was Ken and Debra, Lexi and Amanda, 192 Shaffer Road and FOUND, I drove out to the country with my sister to pick out a new kitten. I came home with two that day - an orange boy we called Peter and a chocolate tabby I named Lily. That day we drove past a sweet little farmhouse with a big name - Edgewood. It was a perfectly lovely day.

That neighbor with the fantastic hill top barn we visited on Thanksgiving day this year? Well thirteen years ago he and his eight year old daughter fostered a lovely litter of six kittens. Emily dressed them in doll clothes and read them stories every day. Every time I see him he asks after those two kittens.  And Me? Well I ended up living in that sweet little farmhouse with the big name. Isn't it just amazing how things turn out sometimes?

I remain ever grateful...

Crafty

It's the day before Thanksgiving...warm, bright and sunny.

 I spent the day baking, prepping the table, 

 and doing a little crafty project...

with Pippa's help of course.

 

Since gardening didn't happen again this year, anything that comes from it really feels like a gift.  I'll use these herbs in my stock and stuffing tomorrow.

Bergamot

Parsely

Sage

Life is rich and and full. We're basking in the gratitude of it all.

This time next year...

It's finally starting to feel a little like Thanksgiving around here! I shopped for the big meal this morning, got a little gardening done and had a proper walk after lunch. All that's left is excavating the dining room and ironing the linens. Ahhhh...I'm liking this temporary housewife gig!

We'll have a somewhat downsized Thanksgiving this year. The girls and their beaus will be in Philly and most of our usual holiday posse has other plans. After mourning the idea of twelve to fifteen folks cozily crowded around our harvest table, I find I'm now getting used to the idea of a smaller version. Gone are the days of one pie per person... Five side dishes? No way. This year it'll be two - mashed potatoes and broccoli. Soup? No. Corn pudding? Nadda. Ken's homemade pumpkin pie, made from freshly roasted pumpkin...oh yeah, it made the cut and is still on the menu!

I haven't had a proper walk in weeks and with temps in the 50's and a cloudless sunny sky, I went rambling down the road,

 

  to my favorite abandoned house.

It was built in 1817,

 and by the looks of things it's been empty for 30 or 40 years.  

Moo...

Life is good. There is much to be thankful for.

Last week I told my students I am taking a year off next year.

So, this time next year...

 I plan to spend a lot more time right here.