Random Dozen

Joining Lid over at 2nd Cup of Coffee for this weeks Random Dozen

1. Are you sticking to traditional Thanksgiving foods this year, or are you being culinarily adventurous?

Traditional!

2. Tell me something concrete that you're thankful for. (Something you can literally touch, see, etc., not a concept like "hope.")

My House. I now have a home that can accommodate a large family gathering. We can host thanksgiving now without having people eating in the living room balancing a plate on there knee! Everyone will have a chair and can sit at the table and eat dinner together. We will have a grown up table and then a Tween table in the dinning room. Yea!!!!!!!!!

3. You knew the flip side was coming: Share about something intangible that you're thankful for.

Maturity. The knowledge that thankfulness does not depend on tangible things. Thankfulness starts with recognition of something greater. Something beyond what you have or what you can buy.

PHP 4:11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

4. Share one vivid Thanksgiving memory. It doesn't have to be deep or meaningful, just something that remains etched in your memory.

I think it was the last thanksgiving we spent with my grandmother before she went home to Jesus. I have a vivid memories of us whirring around in my sisters kitchen getting the meal ready.

Grandma was off to the side sitting in her wheel chair and we would take the pot or bowl over to her for her inspection or a final tasting. She would look down into the bowl and pronounce that whatever we were fixing looked just right or maybe it needed a bit of sage or a dash of salt.

Later when the meal was served Grandma got the seat at the head of the table because she was in a wheel chair at the time plus she was the matriarch of the family so she deserved to be at the head of the table.

Sadly her hands were so debilitated from the rheumatoid arthritis that she was unable to feed herself very well. Her hand also shook terribly from the Parkinson's. I helped her with her meal, cutting her turkey up and arranging thing on her plate so she could enjoy the meal as independently as possible. She had a special set of utensils with large padded handles that made it easer for her to grasp.

I remember sitting next to her and keeping an eye on her plate making sure that she was not struggling to get the food on the fork.

I have such vivid memories of sitting around my grandmothers table at holiday dinners.

The meals she prepared and the command she had of her kitchen. The contrast of how she was in those last few months of her life were so different from the powerful organized in charge woman she was before the ageing process took her was very dramatic.

I am thankful for memories of my grandmother.

5. What is one thing that you know beyond a shadow of a doubt is going to happen this Thanksgiving because it always does, year after year?

I always make to much dressing!

6. Do your pets get any left-overs?

No! The hubs is very adamant about the puppy not getting table food, but confession time sometimes I will sneak him a treat while he is not looking. So he might get a nibble or two!

7. Does your family pray before the big meal? If so, do you join hands while seated, stand, repeat a formal prayer or offer a spontaneous prayer? Who does the praying?

Yes! We all gather in a circle and hold hands and then my husband will usually pray.

8. Will you be watching football in the afternoon? If not, what will you be doing?

Not huge sports fans here. We will be sitting talking and enjoying each other company. I feel certain there will be pie and a latte involved.

9. There are two distinct camps of people on this issue: How do you feel about oysters in the dressing/stuffing?

That’s a big no!

10. Do you consider yourself informed about the first Thanksgiving?

I think so, but then I am far from a history buff!

11. Which variety of pie will you be enjoying?

Apple, Pumpkin and then a Homemade German Chocolate Cake.

12. Do you feel for the turkey?? (This is a humorous throw back question related to the 12th question in another Random Dozen!)

That’s another big no and while I’m at it pass the carving knife!

 

Blessings and happy Thanksgiving

Robin