At least the sideburns pulled off easily.
Another Thanksgiving.
The stuffing was nearly forgotten in the microwave where I’d put it to be warmed up. The cranberries were completely forgotten in the fridge. But someone remembered the tattoo pen, which will never be forgotten.
There was no dance-dance revolution. There was a dance contest, but mostly it was a bunch of kids jumping around on the ground, imitating breakdancing the best they could.
Grace was replaced with a toast. We never went around the table to share what we were most grateful for. This may have been a blessing because my list is so long this year we would never have eaten.
It has been a remarkable year and had I listed everything I was grateful for, there might have been a special category called Gratitude and Inspiration. It would have included:
Shannon Halikas, my coworker and friend, who has patiently helped Jack and I develop Hang Time Press.
Bloggers without Borders, which gathered the blogging community to offer support to Jennie Perillo and her girls, which was later directed to the Liz Logelin Foundation.
Both Kate Washington and Wes Martin, both of whom I’ve had the good fortune to reconnect with and work with this year.
Heidi Swanson, who continually inspires me and influences me in all digital and culinary ways.
Katherine Martinelli, who has become a pen pal and someone I look forward to working with because she is not only an extremely talented photographer, wonderful cook and prolific blogger, she is also a contagiously generous individual.
Amanda Magee, whose blog, the Wink I accidentally discovered and love for its honest portrayal of parenting emotions.
Jennie Perillo for her grace, her strength and her beautiful writing. And, I must also say for her spiced cranberry sauce, which was forgotten in the fridge but pictured below.
(I am also indebted to Jennie for her moving blog post earlier this week. Because of it, for the first time in a long time, I didn’t look around the table and dwell on how sad I was because of who wasn’t with us; instead I felt immense gratitude for who was there and that we are all so healthy and happy, no doubt helped along a little by some fun ink, delicious and abundant food and free-flowing wine.)
And speaking of the ink, I have to thank Auntie Amy for always doing more than she should every year at Thanksgiving and this year for walking away from the tattoo pen possibly looking crazier than me!
Of course there are so many more people who leave an impression on me everyday and so many more to whom I am so, so grateful for–I only hope I tell everyone enough how much.
This year, like every other has had its challenges, but I’ve come to feel so lucky every day and have grown a deeper appreciation for the small things: the color of changing leaves, the way Josh’s finger moves along the words when he reads to me and the good fortune of living somewhere where fresh food is so available.
At this moment, I am beside myself with joy over the blessing of Thanksgiving leftovers, and more specifically for a turkey sandwich made with a parker roll, mayonnaise, salt, pepper and a slice of a still-juicy (yes juicy!) turkey breast. Best paired with a spoonful of forgotten cranberry sauce and a glass of ice-cold milk.
Now, if only I could figure out how to get these tats off my face!
The best part of Thanksgiving!
