Thankful for Memories

Happy Thanksgiving!!! One of the Thanksgiving memories I love the most is having everyone over to my grandparents' house. Their house was big enough to host anybody who showed up. I remember driving up over the hill and arriving at their house that was full of leaves in the yard. When my cousins and I were kids we had so much fun running and jumping in those huge piles of leaves. I remember walking in and finding my mom and grandpa already cooking in the kitchen -my grandma Dede didn't cook, but she did love to host! I remember how their huge dining room table was always set with fine china and table linens and decorated with litle turkeys (the table that now resides in my own dining room, just without all the extra inserts). I remember all holding hands and saying what we were thankful for and then singing our traditional blessing and prayer. A few years ago my grandparents traded in their dream home for a senior assisted living center, so our traditions have now changed, but I will always cherish those family gatherings!

My other favorite Thanksgiving memory is my other grandmother, Grammy. Grammy was a wonderful cook. She made THE BEST mashed potatoes, deserts, and zucchini bread squares I have ever tasted. This year I got a cookie press for my birthday so I stayed up late last night making her special "Grammy cookies"- flower shaped butter cookies with a craisin in the middle (Grammy always used a cherry but for fall I decided to adapt it to a craisin). In a few minutes I am going to make her zucchini squares to take to our feast. I am thankful for the memories of her great cooking and that I have received those recipes.

I hope everyone enjoys this day of thanks and remembers that Scriptures assure us that everything thats wonderful and beautiful comes from God. Praise the Lord for all you've been blessed with!!!! And make some new memories.