.: As I look forward to celebrating Thanksgiving Day with my family, I thought it would be fun to take a look back to last year's Thanksgiving Day memories! Warmest wishes to all of you who will celebrate on this day with family and friends! :.
.:Bittersweet vines gathered by my daughter in preparations of weaving a wreath:.
Today we awoke with great anticipation of the celebration that was to come on this Thanksgiving day. In preparations for our table that would hold the feast that soon would be set before us, our family ventured out into the gardens, fields and woods gathering the beauty all around us in hopes of a bountiful table display set with the beauty and scents of nature and of the gentle glow of candles all around as we express gratitude for each other and for the culinary delights that decorate our plates.
.: I wove this wreath of wild vines boasting warm tones of orange and yellow and growing around the fields. This Bittersweet vine was gathered up by my children and I in preparations of making another small wreath to decorate our favorite oil lamp. :.
There is still so much beauty to be found in the gardens even as it ages on stalk and vine. Vibrant purples, reds, and yellows have turned darker shades of brown, quietly preparing to turn back in to the earth for a long Winter's rest. My heart still takes joy in their form and also I am reminded again of the gardens that were so recently alive with color and now still stunning as they are eclipsed and in repose. I appreciate using what we have, crafting from the nature and expressing a true thanksgiving for its gifts that are so freely given.
.: We enjoyed our traditional Clementine's that were eaten up very quickly. They bring a bouquet of citrus sweetness to our palette and the memories of celebrations past. :.
We adorned Clementine's using Cloves formerly used to stuff dream pillows. It was lovely to watch each child's designs take form, leaving a memorable sweet and spiced scent on Thanksgiving day to hold close in our memories.
The Clementine's are also enjoyed by mama and papa when soaking in our festive drinks!
It is in these preparations that we find so much joy in placing care, togetherness and creativity into our day-- making our meal taste all the better.
.: Our Vegetarian feast of fruits, vegetables, and fresh salads! :.
.: Mama-made clove adorned clementine, scenting the air with spicy and sweet! :.
.: Chestnuts to be roasted on the wood stove in celebration of my Grandfather who shared this tradition with me as a young girl and through the years. :.
Gentle tears well up in my eyes as we take some time in remembrance of my Grandmother and Grandfather. We celebrate their memory by sharing small traditions of theirs with our children. As a young girl I remember Thanksgiving and Christmas past when my Grandfather would carefully take out his pocket knife to score an x on each chestnut. As carefully as they were scored he set them in the same fashion into a cast iron skillet on top of the wood stove. Soon the buttery smell filled the air. As it slowly cooked the anticipation was great. My Grandfather would hand these warmed treasures out to each child. I appreciate keeping these memories alive within my family through the stories and tradition shared with me many years ago.
.: My oldest son holding his hand-made lantern up to the sun, illuminating the semi translucent papers that cling to the glass :.
Our after dinner walk was held at golden hour. The sun began its descent into the mountains and we picked up our lanterns. I looked over and noticed my oldest son holding up his lantern over his head to catch the escaping twilight. It cast an orange glow into the translucent colored paper that clung to the glass.
On the way back we crossed the field, making a point to stop in the center of the field and set our lanterns down. Once we had settled in, I asked each child what their favorite part of the day was and about what we were each thankful for.
.: As the sun continues to ease our days even earlier into nightfall, may we be guided by the light and give thanks on this day and on every new day! :.
