Thankful

We headed to the Carolinas last week to spend Thanksgiving with my sister L, her husband M and their 3 sweet kiddos.

Earlier this month, L and I compiled a collection of our favorite family holiday dishes. Thursday morning, we got up and got to cookin’ as the Macy’s Parade went by on the television and our children played together outside and crafted Pilgrim, Indian and Turkey hats to wear at the table. I knew my sis and I were both pretty good in the kitchen but I do have to say that I’m still impressed with the meal we prepared! Only 2 cooks, one oven and four burners and everything was delicious and warm at dinner time—and right on time! Turkey, Grandmama’s cornbread dressing (turned out pretty good, but we’re convinced there must have been magic in the scale of her recipe and that old baking pan she used!), mashed potatoes, corn, Mama’s yellow squash casserole, green bean casserole (I decided to add some crumbled bacon to the recipe and loved the results), Mimi Penland’s sweet potato dumplings, roasted pears with caramelized onions, deviled eggs with bacon (yes, we are Southern cooks and believe bacon and butter can make most any dish better!), rolls and sweet tea.

Miss M said a beautiful prayer over our food, thanking God for family and many blessings and for sending His Son Jesus to be our savior, she asked God to help her and her cousins make good choices and many fun memories during our time together. I wish I’d recorded it. It was spontaneous and heartfelt and made our mealtime that much sweeter.

Thursday evening, M had a grand idea for some Thanksgiving night fun. He lit a fire in the pit and projected the movie Elf onto a big sheet he hung from their back patio. We all cuddled next to the fire with mugs of hot chocolate, homemade pumpkin pie and popcorn and roasted marshmallows while we watched the movie. So much fun! Our children had a blast—I bet they’ll never forget it!

Friday morning, Chef Mickey served up pancakes and French toast, and then we headed into Asheville for some leisurely window shopping (no black Friday craziness for us!), street entertainment, and lunch at Early Girl Eatery (to-die-for shrimp and grits! and sauteed trout with pecan butter--yum!), followed by an afternoon nature walk in the mountains.

Saturday, we were really spoiled when the L Family Bed and Breakfast started our day with homemade beignets and café au lait! Events of the day included s trip to Wahalla where thoughtful L gave all the kids flashlights and we explored Stumphouse Tunnel.

We then hiked Waterfall Trail to Isaqueena Falls and hiked the BRRR Boyscout Trail through Heritage Preserve.

After an afternoon of hiking, we stopped in Greenville on the way home for a walk around Falls Park and pizza at the Mellow Mushroom.

Saturday night we relaxed at the house and watched both our Gators and the L's Tigers lose to their biggest rivals (boo!).

Sunday morning, we kicked off Advent season with a too-cute holiday breakfast and the first sighting of the season of the L Family’s Shelf Elf before reluctantly packing up and heading for home.

Thank you LMOE&E for the fun memories and hospitality. We love y’all and look forward to the next time we are able to spend time together!

As we drove home listening to Christmas music, the girls singing along and drawing, D in the driver’s seat, I realized that everything most important precious to me, all my earthly treasures, were there with me in that van. I love my husband and girls so much it hurts. I like to tell them that the ONLY person in the universe who loves them more than me is God. Downhere’s song “How Many Kings” came on the radio and the tears started flowing as I was overwhelmed by how BIG God’s love is and how much He loves us. How much He loves ME! I am so undeserving and so unworthy, yet so amazingly blessed. I am thankful.

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