Thankfully on to Christmas

Well, Thanksgiving came up on us in a huge hurry.  I love my family and having things to be thankful for…so my title is actually kind of a play on words.  The turkey was wonderful this year.  I still remember when my wife and I first met she couldn’t even cook at all…now she not only knows various international dishes but she prepares our holiday meals.  Being home for the holidays is a blessing that in the early years of my life didn’t happen all that often.  I’ve spent several Christmases abroad…the Philippines and India in particular come to mind.  Truth be told I relish each and every time like that whether at home or abroad.  Lovely set a wonderful table for us too.  My Dad always says:  “It looks good enough to eat!”  Well, this was all that and more…good times!  We traditionally get our Christmas stuff up now so let me share some of our decorations with you.  This is our fireplace and mantleand our tree this year is near the stairs .  Note the long line of nutcrackers on the wall…it’s quite the endeavor to get them all lined up there let me tell you!  Here’s a nice basket we filled with decorations this year…isn’t that nice?  I really like it!  We have enough nut crackers now that they end up all over the living room.  They all are different and really so much fun to look at.  This one may have helped with the cooking but I can’t say for sure.  My grandfather on my Mom’s side loved ribbon candy and we still have ornaments to honor his memory.  Note the reflection of the tree in the ornament here…I love how much the kids enjoy the tree and decorate it now.  We have many ornaments that I like but this wreath always catches my eye.  This ornament is to honor both my grandfathers and my Dad all of whom have been great fishermen.  A last look at the tree where another ribbon candy ornament hangs.  I’m thankful my friends, thankful for you, our troops…too many things to mention here…even the hardships that we’ve weathered by the grace of God.  The holidays may someday be far different for us then they are but the spirit of gratitude I pray will ever remain.  God bless you all.