Traditional Feast

Our traditional feast has been around for a long time. It all started with my mom's traditions, as we had Thanksgiving dinner at mom and dad's house when we lived close. Some items came from my Grandma Hult. It was always great to gather at my parents home to share the meal. Mom's house would smell soooo good when we walked in. The house was warm from the baking done all day long.

Mom would decorate her home with red's and gold. Most decorations were ones that would go from Thanksgiving to Christmas. The items that would be added were angels, which she had a small collection of, her large white ceramic tree with red lights and her olive wood nativity from the Holy Land trip she took with dad.

Gotta get that turkey in the oven!

I don't do anything special to my bird. Wash, pull off the extra fat, sprinkle garlic powder inside, cover and bake at 325 -- 15 minutes for every pound.

Our cat, Nacho, got to lick the whipped cream beater. . . .

Homemade rolls. . . there is nothing like them. Mmmm!

Setting the food out on the table. We have two different kinds of Jello salads that we make at the holidays. One is made with black cherry and the other with lime.

My stuffing recipe is from my mom. Not really a recipe, but a process.

So much toasted bread, sauteed onions and celery, cream of mushroom soup, chicken broth, and seasonings of salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning.

Martha is our mashed potato expert. From the beginning to the end. Yummy!

Sarah made the pies this year. Here is the pecan. Requested by Matthew.

And the pumpkin. Never forgotten at the holiday table.

Some simple fall colored flowers.

To cheer and to brighten our day.

Hope all of you had a nice Thanksgiving this year. I am grateful that we have a special day to stop from our busy life and reflect on all our blessings.

Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 25, 2010

I attended the annual community Thanksgiving Day Service. It was held at the Sacred Heart Catholic church on Saratoga Ave. In this service, all the different religious denominations get together for a program of word and music. For a few years, Scott was part of the Saratoga Ministerial Association which is made up of all the local churches leadership. He prepared the program to be held at our ward chapel a few years ago. It is no small undertaking. Scott no longer is part of this, as he travels so much and has a new church calling of Stake Executive Secretary.

It is very pleasant to attend and listen to the music and messages. This year was a clear, crisp fall day and felt the sun warming us up. It had been pretty cold just previous to this day. After the service, I drove to the store as I was told that we needed eggs. I was sure that I had bought some. But the person looked again and vowed there were none. After getting home with the eggs, I discovered the three dozen I already had. That's ok. . . . We were baking quite a bit.

As I drove home from the store, I was struck by the many colors we do have here in California! Sure, we also have many "evergreen" trees that mixes up with the golds, reds, and yellows.

I can't seem to turn them around, but this a beautiful tree.

Here is the contrast of the green and yellow with the orange.

Thanksgiving 2010

I realize that Thanksgiving was a week and a half ago, however, I would still like to take this opportunity to enter my thoughts on gratitude.

I love the fall season! My heart melts as I watch the trees change their colors. Yes, we do get Fall colors in California! I am reminded of many events that have happened in the fall.

Sarah and Matthew were both born in October. We lived in Vernon Hills, IL at the time of their births. The fall colors were a bit more vivid in IL, but my memories wander to the many visits to the doctor weeks before they were born and seeing the leaves change while I was out and about. I am grateful for my children, each and everyone of them. Each has their own special talents and abilities. When they were very small, they seemed to be quite the same. Now that five of them are adults, there is such a difference.

I know that I could make an endless list of the things that I am grateful for. Here is my top ten.

1. My Family: a loving husband, and faithful children

2. The Gospel of Jesus Christ and my testimony

3. A living prophet who receives revelation from the Lord

4. The Holy Scriptures to read, study, and learn more

5. Our home that is warm and protects us from the world

6. Food we put on the table each and every meal

7. My association with good people that care for others

8. Living in a good community that desires the best for all

9. Education opportunities my children have for the future

10. Temples that bind us all together and where we can be

close to the Spirit, and loving Heavenly Father