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November promises the arrival
of my favorite Holiday...
...Thanksgiving.
Preparing and eating the foods
that we only indulge in once a year is a large part of the fervor, but
there is much more to love about this day than just that.
Gathering with family and
friends without the stress of gift exchanging is the biggest appeal for
me. Not that I’m a scrooge when it comes to gift giving…but…worrying
about finding that perfect gift, whether or not we can afford it and
then hoping the item was the right size, shape, color or even something
the recipient would like at all is sometimes more than I can manage.
With Thanksgiving, all I need do is make sure I serve everyone’s
favorite dish. Of course, not burning the turkey is always a nice touch,
which I’m happy to say is fairly easily attainable.
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The table awaits it's guests back in 2004. Our daughter, Baylee, was in
charge of creating the centerpiece and putting out the place settings. She
gets better at it every year! |
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2004: I show
Whitnee my technique for rolling out pie crust...then she is off on her
own and doing great! |
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After the big meal,
...taking a leisurely siesta in front of our wood burning stove is a highly
anticipated treat. Wade and I dream of that particular time on this
special day, although fantasizing about it is sometimes all we can
accomplish. With our entire family rambling around the house, dropping
off to sleep is rather a challenge. We give it the old college try
though and even if all it amounts to is a few minutes with our eyes
closed, well, then that’s just okay. |
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Our oldest son, Adam, demonstrates the proper nap taking position after
the Thanksgiving meal. All guests are required to catnap...notice the
compliant visitor on Adam's lap . 2006 |
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Another fabulous affair...
...is that second helping of
pumpkin pie which can only be approached after the first one has settled
sufficiently; about an hour for the average Kinkelaar. In fact, pumpkin
pie is the preferred main course for our Thanksgiving evening meal.
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Appetizers, wine and the assortment of homemade pies all take their
places on the buffet in 2006. |
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Even though this special day...
...is filled with too many
bite sized satisfactions to mention here, there is one tradition that I
look forward to the very most. Before we pass the Green
Bean Casserole around the table, I have one precondition that my family
reluctantly obliges to carry out. Everyone must take their turn in
expressing something they are particularly thankful for at that moment.
While seated together, no matter who our guests might be, each person
has the full attention of all others when their personal gratitude is
made known.
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2006 ~ Adam carves the turkey for the first time in his young life. That
honor is reserved for one of the men in our family. Adam is 22 years old
here. Whitnee's Chihuahua, Tink, laps up anything Adam might fling her
way! |
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It never fails.
There is always at least one
declaration made that tugs at my heart strings and reveals a part of the
person that I am delighted to get a glimpse of. And most times it comes
from someone I’d least expect to have such touching sentiments. Those
thankful expressions are what I am most grateful for on my
favorite
Holiday. Maybe I’ll use that one this year when my turn comes…but that
second piece of pie has to come in a close second. |
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2004 ~ Almost time to express our Thanks |
Enjoy
your Thanksgiving in
the Country! ~Deena
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