Giving Thanks...

November 24, 2014

I’ve spent the largest part of this past week thinking about Thanksgiving and Christmas.  I’ve been making a list of things that I need to do in order to be somewhat prepared for the holidays.  I figure that since I’m no longer commuting two hours to a day job and then commuting the two hours home, I should be able to tackle this list easily and with gusto!

Charming and I have never been really big on decorating for the holidays, but I think that comes from not having children in the house.  However, this year I want that to be different.  At a recent church yard sale, Charming noticed a light-up Christmas village and immediately decided he wanted one piece in the set.  The people in charge of the yard sale were reluctant to break up the set, so we came home with the entire 15-building set.  We have a mantle over our wood stove, but even though it’s a long mantle there is no way it would accommodate the entire set (including the large assortment of free-standing trees, people, mailboxes, lamp posts, etc…for $25, it really was a great deal).  So we lugged those two big boxes of Christmas cheer home with us.  Luckily, we were able to convince my sister to take the entire set, minus the one piece that Charming wanted.  She will put it to good use as she’s a decorating fiend when it comes to the holidays. 

I’ve also been trying new recipes for the holiday dinners and get togethers.  (I’ve added a recipe for Gluten-Free Cranberry Oatmeal White Chocolate Chip Cookies to the “Gluten-Free Recipes” page of this blog.)  My sister, Edie, had a pre-Thanksgiving get together at her house this past Saturday.  It worked out really well and everyone had a good time.  She had deer chili, regular chili, and tacos.  Since the temperature outside was “chilly” as well, her menu was perfect for the day.  Six out of eleven of our brothers and sisters showed up.  Everyone brought a covered dish and took leftovers home.  The holidays are wonderful reminders that we really need to take the time and be thankful for the warmth of family, friends, and comfort food!

The Christmas Village that we got at a church yard sale looks
nice on our mantle.  (This was one of fifteen that we got for $25!)
Wouldn't you love to live in a scene like this for just a day?

My gluten-free cranberry oatmeal white chocolate chip cookies.
(They're really pretty tasty!)