knot in the string

On Friday all the kids and spouses and their offspring will be at our house.

We will be feasting on slow roasted ribs (for the guys mainly, or is that manly???), slow roasted turkey breast (for the spouses who prefer poultry over red meats), and one of the d-i-l is bringing her famous meatballs!

For side dishes we will have mashed baby red potatoes mixed with real butter and sour cream instead of milk, fresh steamed French green beans, baby Euro Greens with gala apples, mandarin oranges, feta cheese, candied walnuts - with raspberry and balsamic vinaigrette, fresh roasted corn on the cob, fresh pineapple with blue berries and black berries, home made rolls with real butter, and a fresh baby veggie tray.

D-i-ls are providing desserts which I am told will include (all home made) cheesecake, peanut butter cookies, ?cake, and a pie!

Sons are proving all the "drinks"... probably a variety of sodas!

There will be plenty of munchies for after-meal-into-the-evening snacking, MooseMunch, Almond Roca, French chocolate ganauche truffles, and the world famous cream cheese and homemade chili sauce dip with Wheat Thins!

I have to make an effort in the feasting department because if I don't my sister would be very disappointed in me! So there's the menu.

The activities for the day will probably include lots of visiting, lots of giggling, some games and certainly going over the things for which we are thankful. This year we have quite a list! Some of those things are:

family. good family. close and happy with each other.
the Gospel, which frankly, makes all of us very happy when we follow what the Saviour has asked us to do. aaaaannnd gives me the knowledge of who i (we) really am (are).
the Saviour, who as I was reminded by the written words of a now dead man, has "redeemed us and allows us to partake of life each day; overlooking our backsliding ways, and proving us with the means to live eternally with our God."
health. there are so many ways i could write about this blessing. some to sacred to display publicly; just let it be known that our family has seen its' share of genuine miracles and i KNOW we have been and are continually blessed of God.
little tiny people who make us laugh all the time.
a house that is truly a home.
cars that are reliable!!!
talents and gifts and the generosity of others.
commandments. i know that sounds all goody goody, but trust me when i say that i have learned to be grateful for commandments.
music. dance. ears to hear. legs that move...sort of!
love, genuine and true and forgiving and enduring. love that continues to blossom well after the bloom should have faded. love that knows humour and laughter more than tears.
knowledge. the ability to continue to learn.
opportunity.
service. both given and received.
friends.
the "things" we have.
indoor plumbing....always a blessing.
employment.

all of these and more. and the holidays that bring us all together!