As the year winds down, each day is a gift. Some mornings we wake to find the days are unseasonably warm with clear, vibrant, deep azure skies; other days are gray with the sound of rustling leaves and the soft tapping of rain on the roof. And while the garden has long been put to bed for winter, now is also the time to plant garlic for the next year. The cycle continues as one season slowly moves toward another; each with its own beauty and rewards. However; no matter the weather, as we move closer to the end of the year, we can sense a change, and find many reasons to pause and give thanks.
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Wonderful. Beautiful. Inspirational. Thank you for sharing. Happy Thanksgiving!
Awww, thanks Billie Jo for your kind words. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving – now we’re heading toward Christmas! Enjoy it all – Mary
This post is comforting and nurturing…and so evocative of our family Thanksgiving “back when.” The photo of the handwritten recipe looks like so many of my mother’s….written in her beautifully flowing script. Unfortunately, they were not saved and that is a source of sadness for me still. Yes, I have many of the family favorites that I copied over the years, but it is not same. I can visualize your kitchen fireplace but sometime you really need to share a photo of it. I have always dreamed of having a fireplace in my kitchen but that will remain a dream only. Wishing you a blessed – and simple – Thanksgiving Mary. ~Robin~
Robin, you always say the nicest things. I know what you mean about recipes – I would love to have my grandmother’s bread/roll recipes- but they were “a pinch of this, dash of that” and never written down. Oh how I wish my kitchen fireplace was a giant one as in so many old homes, but it’s a modest size. Blessed to have 3 in this old house, but a former owner didn’t care for the dining room one, tore down the chimney and tossed it down the flue! While it couldn’t be saved, it was rebuilt but can’t ever be used – sigh.
A lovely post. And a reminder to embrace the moments of calm, at this time of year. Xx
Thank you Jules – it’s so easy for there to be a frenzied feeling, I just felt the need to slow everything down where I could. I will be following your lead and taking in as much of nature as possible this month!
What a lovely, heartfelt post. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday for so many of the reasons you mention. It seems it gets even more precious as the years pass. Wishing you and all of your readers a wonderful holiday. Blessings…
Thank you, Daisy for your sweet comments – Somehow, it does seem to get lost in the rush to get to Christmas. You’re absolutely right, I think as the years pass, we realize how important it is to slow down, pause, and give thanks – it doesn’t mean that everything is perfect, but there are things to be grateful for each day.
Mary!!!! I loved this post! How beautiful it is. Also… the Dilly Green Tomatoes! I want to know more about these! I’ve never heard of them before.
– Dori
Hi Dori – ahhh those Dilly Green Tomatoes, a recipe from my grandmother. It would’ve been so easy to leave them there on the vine, but my oh my, our grandmother’s knew how to save and preserve everything, didn’t they? They are just little cherry tomatoes that taste somewhat like dill pickles – small enough to pop each one in your mouth and have that burst of sour. I’ll have to share the recipe in the future post!
I have november-itis all November. It has unseasonably warm and the last of the clean up and putting gardens to bed where finished. As the days got shorter I started my slow and steady work of decorating. The more I pull from the boxes the more I know I need to down size. Simple sounds good while my decorations are old and soft colors with the years there are just to much. Our fireplace is a complete joy this time of year.
Happy Thanksgiving
Hi Cathy – slow and steady is the perfect way to begin decorating. That’s so much better than that rush that sometimes happens, that just takes all the fun out of it. I began pairing down this year too – it’s difficult. I kept things that were sentimental, parted with things I never used knowing someone else might be looking for just that item. And you’re so right, I love sitting next to the fireplace with a book -you’re right, it is a joy!
Hi Mary! So cozy and inviting, everything about this post is just so nice. I especially love the craft! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Happy Holidays! ~Nicole, Suburban Farmgirl Blogger
Just love this post. Always loved the thought of a fireplace in the kitchen. How warm and inviting. Thank you.
Nice to meet you, Maureen! The fireplace has certainly come in handy when the power has been out – it’s often felt like a Little House on the Prairie moment – cooking in it and everyone keeping warm! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Hi Nicole – thank you so much, the Mason jar oil lamp is a snap to make – and a quick and easy gift. I just put the jar goodies together (without adding the lamp oil) and give a bottle of oil separately. Thanksgiving was great: eat, nap, repeat – still enjoying the leftovers!
Hi Mary!
I have loved reading your posts this year! Thank you for becoming a blogger and letting us into your life and beautiful home.
Oh Jenny – that’s so nice of you to say! I’m grateful to have this chance to “meet” so many kindred spirits. What a wonderful Sisterhood this is where we can share ideas and learn from each other. Thanks for taking the time to stop by!