Thanksgiving is one of those holidays I appreciate the older I get. My boys are still of the age where there’s a lot of ‘gross, healthy food’ being served (dessert being the exception of course), and their gratitude list consists of candy and watching YouTube videos. Thanksgiving requires some self-reflection. With this year being my first time hosting, I’ve especially come to realize what this means. I can truly appreciate now all the basting, stirring and turkey-prepping required to make this monumental meal a mouth-watering masterpiece, or at least…edible. But, beyond the to-do list, it’s a holiday that simply asks: What are you grateful for?

Reflecting on this week, I’m grateful for knowing my cooking limits, and ordering some side dishes to take the stress off of trying to make everything from scratch. I’m grateful for friends who are great cooks and gave me their cooking tips, and ones who just called to offer pep talks. I’m grateful for my husband, who put up with the many sudden house projects (i.e. painting walls, hanging new doors) that needed to get done, like, pronto. (Nothing like having company coming over to start long-awaited home projects:) I’m grateful for scented candles to hide our dog’s smell and my boys’ shoes. I’m grateful for family traveling here. I’m grateful for fresh flowers in bright colors on grey, cold days. I’m grateful for love, laughter and listening, especially of recent when it can be trying to do those things. And I’m grateful for an extra helping of pie and leftovers the next day. Have a wonderful, peaceful Thanksgiving. xx

I’d love to hear, what are you grateful for this Thanksgiving?