Happy Thanksgiving

This year, Todd, Rocco, and I will be spending Thanksgiving in our new home with Todd's parents, Steve and Rhonda. They will be coming in on Wednesday evening and staying until Sunday. Fresh from their visit with Stephanie and Jim (Todd's sister and her husband) in San Diego, they will surely be ready for a little relaxation after all of their travels! I had originally planned on making an exquisite Thanksgiving meal, but seeing as I am bound to chair or bed or couch, I will not be able to go through with my plans. Instead, Todd will be in charge of the meal. This is going to be good for him. Usually, Todd believes that an adequate meal consists of something barbecued  He will be in charge of getting the ham in the oven AND making the sides! I will be his trusty sous chef sitting on a chair and bossing him around. I have no doubt he has the ability to make it happen! Most importantly, Steve and Rhonda will not be cooking and will be able to just hang with Rocco. (I think it is so tacky to invite someone over and then expect them to cook their own meal. No way!) This is the first Thanksgiving we have spent with Todd's parents and this is the first holiday they have spent in Vale with us, so we are really looking forward to spending time with them.

The rest of the Clark/Recla family has decided to go their separate ways this year-- something that is unusual for us as we usually have at least three places to eat-- sometimes all in one day! Some will be headed to a dinner at Andrea's house, while others will be at Gramma Fawn's house. Jason and Lora will be all over the place hitting up both of those dinners plus one with Lora's family. With so many things going on in our family, it is inevitable for traditions to change. For so many years, it has always been a very tight-knit situation with the majority of the immediate family in the surrounding area. We now have branched out-- Todd's family and Lora's family-- so we are always looking for ways to make things less hectic on all involved while still seeing as many people as physically possible. Add babies into the mix, and, well, things really have to get creative!

Regardless of where and who we are celebrating with, Thanksgiving is still my favorite holiday. I love everything that Thanksgiving encompasses. The food is the best-- total comfort food. My favorite meal consists of turkey, whole berry cranberry sauces, stuffing with celery and onion, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and some kind of pumpkin dessert. I also love that there is nothing associated with Thanksgiving except celebrating all of your gratefulness with your family over a great meal. There are no gifts, no tacky decorations, no music, no stress or pressure-- just a good time. No need to think about or rush into Christmas-- just appreciate the blessings around you, as this is what Thanksgiving is all about.

Happy Thanksgiving, Readers. I hope you take time to stop, pause, reflect, and give thanks this year for all of your blessings no matter where you are or who you are with.