Ten On The Tenth

There's a blog link up every month known as '10 on the 10th' (hosted by Marsha In The Middle) and I never participate, because normally by the time I realize it's the 10th it's already the 11th. Not this month! The theme for November is easy peasy-'10 things you love about Thanksgiving'. I'm going to throw a few recent pictures into the mix too because it's my blog and they gotta go somewhere. 

What do I love about Thanksgiving? 

1.Everything. I mean what's not to love, except maybe the slightly tighter waistband the day after? 

2. I love that in a world where everything under the sun has turned into an Event (yes, with a capital E) with themes and decor and planning starting months in advance, Thanksgiving remains relatively simple. 

3.You don't need to rack your brain trying to come up with an original menu, because what you're eating is (wonderfully!) pretty much the same year after year. I mean my family better not be messing with the sides too much because they're what I like best on the day. 

4. Dressing. Stuffing. Whatever you want to call it, is the best part of the meal in my opinion. It's not something I make any other time of the year so feels like a treat on Thanksgiving. I make my mama's cornbread stuffing and my girls do the same. I'm not cooking this year, but there will be dressing. 

5. Leftovers. I'm not a huge fan of leftovers normally, but somehow a turkey sandwich with dressing and cranberry sauce, eaten the day after, doesn't feel like leftovers. 

6. Family. And if you can't be with your actual family you can have a wonderful meal with friends who feel like family. One of our favorite Thanksgivings was spent in England where it's not even celebrated. We shared a traditional meal with another American family, some Canadian friends, and our two Young Life leaders. I have such warm memories of that day. If you can't be with family, or friends who feel like family, there are lots of places to volunteer and serve a meal to folks who need one, which is also gratifying. 

7. No gifts=no pressure. 

8. Naps are for everyone. 

9.Thanksgiving lands in the middle of my most favorite season of the year-autumn. Ours has been particularly lovely this year, and every afternoon for the past couple of weeks I've been taking my cup of tea and my laptop out on the back porch and enjoying the afternoon sky. The color, the temperature, and the light....it's pure gold. 

10. Perhaps what I love best about this day is the way we pause for a minute before December comes barreling in. This holiday is a gentle reminder to count our blessings, and acknowledge there's an awful lot to be thankful for. In these troubled times it's comforting to stop and recognize God's goodness...to rest in the knowledge that He holds the future. 

Happy Thanksgiving to you all! 

"Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever!"
1 Chronicles 16:34