Monday, November 21, 2022

Thankful for Books Giveaway Hop


Welcome to the Twelfth Annual Thankful for Books Giveaway Hop Event. We invite bloggers and authors to join the fun! It will be a great way to discover new blogs and to celebrate our love of books! The hosts for this year’s event are Caffeinated Reviewer and Reading Reality

The giveaway will run from 12:01AM on Monday, November 21st through 11:59PM Monday, November 28th.

The Top 10 Reasons I Love Thanksgiving!

 

1.     We celebrate the Friday after.

At our house we celebrate Thanksgiving the day after turkey day. We started the tradition as a compromise for my kids and their in-laws. They were conflicted about where to spend Thanksgiving. No one wanted to miss dinner with their family. We talked about brunch in the morning or later in the day. That just wasn’t the same. Instead I opted for the day after. It was not a hardship. I did it selfishly. This way I have them all to myself. My kids and their in-laws love the idea.

2.     No turkey!

This year’s menu is roast leg of lamb and brisket. (It’s the same every year. I’m forbidden to change it.) That's another benefit of celebrating the day after. No turkey. Everyone's had their fill on Thursday. Although the family still demands mulled cider, sweet potato soufflĂ© and noodle pudding.

3.     Everyone moves back home.

Our son and his family drive down from Boston. Our two daughters and their families live thirty minutes away, but they all move home for the weekend. It will definitely be a houseful but I wouldn't want it any other way.

4.     Butternut Squash Soup

Our younger daughter added this to our menu a few years ago. My cooking is all done when she comes in with all the fixings and makes the soup.

5.     My granddaughters help in the kitchen

They enjoy helping in the kitchen and setting the table. The boys play video games or toss a ball in the park across the street. 

6.     The coffee runs to Dunkin Donuts and late night outings to the local ice cream shop.

Our son-in-law goes to our local DD and brings home a selection of coffees for us while we finish cooking. It’s always a surprise. Since our dinner is midafternoon, my husband takes the grandkids to the ice cream shop to bring back more surprises. I could easily have the ice cream at the house, but I think he uses it as an excuse to spend some time with them.

7.     Time together

After dinner we flop on the sofa with a large bowl of popcorn. My husband tries to get a Scrabble game going but usually they want to watch a movie.

8.    Saturday Breakfast

With all this tumult and cooking, did I mention the mandatory French toast on Saturday morning? The rest of the day is casual and lazy and usually another movie.

9.     Sunday Afternoon

After breakfast, our son and his family pack up to start home to Boston. The others linger for a short time, but they are already thinking about school on Monday. When they all leave the house is eerily quiet. Thank goodness they’ll all be back in three weeks for the holidays and we do this again. This time with presents!

10. It's all magical to me.

At our family Thanksgiving weekend, I sit and look at the twelve of us around the table and beam with pride. I’d be happy not to eat, just enjoy them. This is what I’m most thankful for, my dear husband who supports me in everything I do, my children and their spouses who make me laugh until I cry, and my four grandchildren who are each a blessing.

 

I hope your Thanksgiving is delicious and wonderful.


My book giveaway...

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35 comments:

  1. I’m thankful for my soulmate! ( just got married this month)

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  2. Last comment was by Kelly Mcgrew (just got married)

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    1. Congratulations, Kelly!! I love fall weddings. We had a September wedding, 39 years ago! Enjoy your soulmate and celebrate the holidays!! Congratulations again.

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  3. Ahhh, that sounds like a beautiful Thanksgiving tradition. I am thankful for precious time with my in-laws for thanksgiving and that my husband has the day off so we can all be together.

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    1. For me, it's all about being together. For my birthday two years ago, my husband told me he was taking me on a small get away. My daughter called right before we left and told me she and her sister and brother arranged for us to have a private dinner at a chef's house. I was so excited. I was overwhelmed when I got to the 'chef's' house and found them all there. They had taken a house for the weekend so we could all be together. I still tear up every time I think of that birthday. Have a great holiday with your family.

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  4. for my family!

    mia2009(at)comcast(dot)net

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  5. Replies
    1. I agree. Sometimes, there is no place like 'home.'

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  6. I am most thankful for my family and friends

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  7. I am most thankful that my grandmother is still alive

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    1. How wonderful. Oh, the family stories she must have.

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  8. I am most thankful for my husbands and my good health and mostly for our 2 children and their beautiful families!

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    1. I know how you feel! We had a bout of COVID when our son and his family came home for a friend's wedding. They went to our daughter's house instead of coming here. By Thanksgiving we are all healthy and as we sat at the table I looked around at us all gathered together and reveled in us being healthy and together.

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  9. I’m thankful for the feeling of peace that overwhelms me when I look back over the past year and rea

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  10. Replies
    1. I hope you had a great holiday. Family is what it is all about for me, too.

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  11. Replies
    1. I agree with you. I am already looking forward to our December gathering!

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  12. I am thankful for my family and friends.

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  13. My family! Thank you for the giveaway! :) xo

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  14. My family! Thank you for the giveaway! :) xo

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  15. Most thankful for my mom’s health. She beat pancreatic cancer

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