Another Round of Thanks

Although we Canadians celebrated Thanksgiving back in October, I have always enjoyed American Thanksgiving as an official start to the holiday season.

I've long been a fan of the Macy's parade, and each year I take the day off to watch the parade, bake and decorate my home.  I've been doing it since I was in high school, when my amazing mother would call me in "sick" to the school so I could stay home and enjoy the day.

Out comes the Winter greenery, the twinkle lights, and at my mom's house, her collection of village houses and assorted people and animals.  It's a funny set up.  Everything is mis-matched and in different sizes.  But she loves it.  It suits our strange and wonderful family!

At my house, I like to keep the breakables to a minimum or there would be cat-induced carnage for sure.  This is the first time my latest addition, Beau, will have experienced a decorated tree - so that will be interesting.

So, while I deck the halls and drink egg nog and watch the giant balloons float by on the television, I wanted to wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving!  Travel safe and find some time to enjoy the beginning of a rather hectic season!

Blessings!

Mercury And A Wandering Mind

I'm not sure if it's Mercury getting ahead of itself, or just some strangeness in the air, but these last few days have been odd.  I've felt off my game, a little down and generally frustrated at everything.  Luckily, there are more than enough things going on here on the interwebs to keep me distracted.

Here are a few things that I've enjoyed or been mulling over lately:

~ Always an enjoyable and fascinating read, New World Witchery has a post on the lore surrounding walnuts.  I'm allergic to the buggers (walnuts, not Cory or Laine) but can appreciate the symbolism.

~ For years, I have been wanting to head to Caravan Farm to see the outdoor plays the theatre company puts on. This year, the play is "The Gift Horse" which is about a childless couple who is given a child by the Moon. This may be the year I finally get there!

For holiday hayrides or sleighrides in your state or province, check out this website.

~ Incorporating a Nativity scene in a non-Christian household.  My friend brought me back Nativity figurines from Mexico this year and at first I was perplexed.  Until I read Carolina's most recent newsletter at the House of Eleggua.  She did a post on the Nativity, here, but do subscribe to her newsletter where she discusses the symbolism surrounding the figures involved in the Christ story.

~ Speaking of Christ, or technically, his followers, there has been quite a discussion going on over at Twitter today about whether or not you should support a charitable organization (in this case, The Salvation Army) if they openly preach against GLBT rights. 

If an organization does great things with the money donated to it, yet does not operate at a level that speaks to your own morals and values, would you donate to them?  Does the good they do, outweigh the intolerance they may have?  Great points on both sides of this debate!

As we head into the start of the bustling holiday season, I want to wish my American neighbours a blessed Thanksgiving (if you celebrate) and wish you a safe and happy holiday!

So Much Turkey - So Many Thanks

This past weekend, we Canadians got thankful.  We do like to get our Thanks out of the way early.  It's polite, and practical, in that we have two and a half months before the next huge meal.  Plenty of time to lose the 5lbs we just gained before it's time to take holiday pictures with the family in front of the Yule tree.

I only managed to snap two pictures during Thanksgiving dinner.  Mostly because I was too busy filling my face. 

Vegetarians - look away!

Don't say I didn't warn you.

This is only a portion of the carnage that two turkeys, one ham, numerous side dishes and 22 guests wrought this past weekend at my parents' home.

After the feast was suitably dished up, many of us migrated outside to get a bit of fresh air to aid our digestion.  We rarely have small holiday meals at my parents' house, and this Thanksgiving was no exception.  My friends' kids ran around in the yard and lounged by the fire.  People were telling old stories, laughing and pointing out the constellations.

Before the meal, my 98 year old grandfather said grace.  Although I don't pray to the same gods, the sentiment was exactly what I would have said.

"Thank you for food and family, blessings and protection.  We remember those who have gone before, and are grateful for those who have gathered with us."

Amen.

Blessed Be.

Final Farmers Market

The final farmers market of the season was held yesterday, and although it was cold and grey, the rain held off long enough for us to enjoy the last day of harvest sales.

There were plenty of smiling faces and great things to bring home.  Gorgeous local apples and pears held court with mountains of colourful squash and pumpkins.  We snacked on kettle corn and a surprise crop of everbearing strawberries, while trying to keep warm.

A tall, friendly scarecrow wandered by....

My neice - trying to keep her nose warm - looks silly, and yet a little exotic...

And, as usual, no trip to the market would be complete without some dog-spotting.  This little guy was keeping warm in a puppy-snuggly.

And this little dear is a Pug-Pin.  A pug crossed with a miniature Pincher.  Apparently the Pincher draws out the Pug nose a bit and reduces the chance of breathing problems that are supposedly common with purebred Pugs.  I'd have taken this guy home immediately if not for his $650 price tag!

Afterward, my neices and I headed to my parents house for Mom's famous Feed-the-5000 Thanksgiving dinner.  Actually, there were only 18 guests instead of the 25 she was expecting, so all went well and most of us had a seat.  Two turkeys, a ham, cabbage rolls (the Ukranian in us comes out now and then,) and inumerable side dishes as well as five different desserts ensured that we were all moaning and clutching our stomaches as we headed out the door.

Also joining us for dinner were these three.  But they merely ate the rest of my mom's geraniums and sat down for a nap.

Happy Thanksgiving to my fellow Canadians!