Friday, November 29, 2013

Thankful


We had beautiful weather for our journey to my eldest son,
 Gabe and wife, Erica's home to celebrate Thanksgiving. 


My son is a gracious host - shown here with his Chef's jacket on. 

A computer engineer by trade, a chef for pleasure. 


His lovely wife, Erica is an equally gracious hostess. 

After working hard for the last two years remodeling their first home,
they were excited to host their first Thanksgiving.


Both sides of their combined families were present to share in this day of gratitude. 


Welcoming fires blaze as Pedro the cat relaxes nearby. 


As shadows lengthen, wonderful aroma's filled the house. 


Candles are lit and wine bottles opened as guests arrive. 


Erica greets everyone with a welcoming smile. 


Sisters Jennie and Heather ready to celebrate.


Gabe, Jennie and Heather's husband, Eric share a laugh. 


Brother Dustin and fiancee', Jen stay warm by the fire.


Nibbles to keep hunger at bay.


Erica's sweet parents help prepare the meal.


The girls take time to give us a smile.


Erica's grandparents teach everyone how it's done.

Can you believe this beautiful lady is celebrating her 87th birthday next month?


Jen's sweet Mom, Julia stops by to share the fun on her way to work a double shift for Black Friday.


The tallest and the smallest (Eric and Beedle) say hello.


Father and son carve the turkey.


Time to be thankful.


I find my place.


Save room for pie!


Pedro likes turkey, too.


I get a sweet hug.

It was a wonderful day.



And as we say goodbye to all of our loved ones, we count our many blessings.

Good food, family, love, and laughter.

We could not ask for anything more.

xoxo

Wishing you many blessings in this season of gratitude.

***
For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything thy goodness sends.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson -

***
As we express our gratitude,
we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words,
but to live them.

- John Fitzgerald Kennedy -








22 comments:

  1. Firstly, how heart warming to celebrate this day with such a wonderful loving family. The food looks delicious and even better when everyone joins in. Secondly, what a great house, they have obviously worked just as hard as you and blue eyes! Enjoy the season xx

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  2. Wishing you many blessings too! These get-togethers are so wonderful Karen, this is the true meaning of Thanksgiving day and the sense of life.You must be very proud and happy to be surrounded by a wonderful family.Oh,what a fabulous house!
    Best wishes to all of you!
    Olympia

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  3. full house, beautiful home, great families. perfect.

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  4. What a lovely family you have, Karen! Your son's house is so nice and the table looks perfect. I'm sure the food was too:) Have a great weekend! Cindy.

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  5. What a wonderful way to celebrate thanks - with family and friends. We ate thanksgiving in our jammies (I'm still sick with this nasty cold) - food that our daughter cooked and sent up to us so we could have our thanksgiving dinner. It was delicious and made our house smell so good - just like we had cooked it here.

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  6. Dearest Karen,
    You have succeeded in passing down some warm family traditions and now you and your husband have the privilege of partaking in such special family dinners. The bonding of several generations is so important in our lives. Building a nice home for having them all at table is like a dream come true...
    Of course we have no kinship in the New World but I still know how we invited my Parents and in-laws for Christmas just as your son did... That is the Dutch equivalent as we don't do the gift giving on Christmas Day but on St. Nicholas, December 5th.
    It is a pleasure for reading such post; it brings back frond memories of 30 and more years ago... We did have a lovely Thanksgiving Dinner too with our New World Family we gathered with 11 of us around the big dining table.
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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  7. Lovely home, food looks perfect and good company to share even the cat looks happy, just perfect.
    Merle.............................

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  8. what a fun, happy Thanksgiving you shared with family. The photos were great! Thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting. I always enjoy your visits. One of these days, we'll visit in real time! Take care!

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  9. So beautiful Karen! Your family is just stunning! And what a beautiful home they have!!!!! I just love that your son is wearing is chef's jacket!! And oh how delicious your spread looked! And of course I so enjoy seeing you with your husband...you are blessed! Here is to many more sweet blessed years friend!!! Nicole xoxo

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  10. Gorgeous post Karen, the food & home look amazing....it was great to see your son wear his chef's jacket....Beautiful photo's...good to see the furr babies joining in too.....Hugs May x x x

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  11. Looks like a great time! Their home is so beautiful. I bet it was so nice for them to be able to show it off after all their hard work.

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  12. Karen, your family is beautiful. You gave the example and now reaps the rewards. I like to come here and share their daily lives. I am very happy to participate in these moments with you. A joyous week and a big kiss!

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  13. What a beautiful family you have. A perfect thanksgiving dinner, surrounded with love and laughter.

    Hope you have a wonderful week.

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  14. What a wonderful post Karen. And what a wonderful bunch of people you show to us. I send my regards to all of them! Enjoy your family! ;-)

    I hope that you'll have a great week!
    http://dzjiedzjee.blogspot.com

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  15. What a truly lovely celebration! And truly lovely people. I loved sharing it! And thanks so much for your comment...it was awesome hearing from you! I've been away far too much. Been "down" and also aggravated by my lack of a decent camera, since my computer came back up and my company left. Sewing has been the only thing that has kept me motivated, plus reading. Haven't heard from JoAnn but I need to comment on her blog and hopefully she will check her email then. :-)

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  16. Karen, everything looks spectacular! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family. Blessings to you.

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  17. What a wonderful Thanksgiving you had with your family. Everyone looks so happy, the food looks great. Your son's home is very beautiful - I like that they have two fireplaces and their table settings are beautiful too!

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  18. It's been so fun to visit so many Thanksgivings in blogland!! This was certainly an elegant one. Isn't it nice to have the young people hosting for a change? Beautiful!

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  19. totally beautiful place to enjoy visiting together -- lovely photos of your sweet family and and you with blue eyes.. I love it when you share - I can feel the love you have for these family members and the food look so good -- yumm...
    Glad you had such a wonderful Thanksgiving..
    Hugs

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  20. Mrs. Karen you must be proud that your son can cook well :)
    I love the house but more is yours ;) simple, and full of love. Everyone looked have so much fun and have beautiful time.
    And you looks beautiful in your husband's hug :)
    Love,
    Delvalina

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  21. This looks like a wonderful thanksgiving

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Thank you for stopping by! Your comments are important to me and are very much appreciated. xx Karen

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