Well, it is Thanksgiving day again, 2009.  I hate that the months just zoom by in my older age…I just want to slow it down a bit! I have so many things to be thankful for- my Lord and Savior, my husband, children, grandchildren, family, friends, work, play, a warm home, beautiful blue sky, health, prosperity, etc, etc, etc.

I hate those kinds of lists, because I always leave something really important out! I do know that I am most thankful for the giving I receive from others. Many times it is so much easier for me to give to someone else, than to graciously accept the giving of another person. It is humbling to just accept a gift (whether a package or a compliment), without either some excuse or pass.

For many years, we spent Thanksgiving at Marc’s parents, (Ed and Dorcas) because we spent Christmas at my parents. When you marry into a family, you also must learn to adapt to other customs.  Dinner was always “dinnertime” at their house, so we learned to adapt by eating a large breakfast, and snacking throughout the day.

The tablecloth was always the same. Gold, with cornucopia’s on all the corners and leaf pattern down the sides. I know this well because today that same tablecloth is on my table, awaiting the turkey and trimmings.  It is probably 40 years old now, but when you only use it once a year, it can last along time!

She always made stuffing differently than I was used to - one year my brother spent Thanksgiving with us, and we still comment on that stuffing every year at Thanksgiving.

I miss her now - miss both of them - and today I made a Pork Pie…another old family recipe that she handed down. It made me thankful that I received so many gifts of love from them over the years.  It was a privilege to have them live with us for five years, and I am thankful that my children were able to know their grandparents.

Especially now that I am a grandparent, I am thankful for grandchildren. They are the best! Good thing I didn’t kill my own children, so that I got the reward of grandchildren!

So thanks to all my family - those around and those not around now, for giving to me! I am forever humbled by your graciousness, thoughtfulness and undeserving love!

Hard to believe that summer has already come and gone. I was just enjoying the warm sunshine last week and realizing it would soon be time for the annual turning-of-the-aspens. It is happening quickly, and I’m really not ready! Because after the turning-of-those-aspens, comes the winter snow. As a matter of fact, it snowed last night in the mountains and another 16″ is expected tonight.

We went to Moab last weekend, to help with a bicyclist event for the weekend. No, I didn’t ride a bike - we operated an Aid Station at the top of a mountain pass and the bikers rode up 27 miles to 8,500 feet so we could give them water and snacks! Then they rode the rest of the 100-mile trek back down to the desert and heat!

And it was fun- warm weather, sunshine and some chilly moments at the top of the La Sal Mountains. Wonderful restaurants to eat at - albeit with the strangest liquor laws anywhere in the nation - and a great hotel for the stay.

It’s one of the real perks for owning your own business - you can decide to work all weekend, or play and work all weekend!

Here are a couple of pictures I took with my new phone camera - not a professional photographer for sure!

Our Aid Station and one of the bicyclists

Castle Valley from the top of La Sal Mountains

My Blog. How I have neglected you. I have so much to say some days, yet here you sit. Unattended. Soon I will be back. I promise!