the upcoming feast

Despite the effort involved in planning, shopping and so forth, there is nothing like spending Thanksgiving in the kitchen and around the table with those you love. What are your plans for the upcoming feast? We're hosting. Alexi's mother and stepfather are here for the holiday; his cousin and another friend will also be joining us.

I hope your day is full of love and good food!

The Grateful List

Today I'm honored to have my friend Shari as a guest blogger. I'm inspired each and every day by her photos and thoughts; if I only have time to look at one photostream on Flickr on a given day, it's always hers. Her photos are here; her blog is here.

Each day my grateful list expands. Last week I was thankful for the evergreens providing much needed color in the drabness of stick season, sunshine passing through cattail fluff, a phone call from my husband inviting me to an impromptu lunch, another day of wearing only a lightweight jacket, and the indoor farmer's market. I am grateful for life, for every little bit of its goodness, and I love how I never know what may be on my list tomorrow. Puddles, chocolate cake, a red fox dashing across the field? We are so lucky to be the recipient of so many days full of wonder and simple pleasures. I try so hard not to forget it.

this man

Today is Alexi's birthday. I'm so thankful to call this kind, dedicated, capable, smart, adventurous, fun, loving man my husband.

Thank you for making the time to be an amazing father and husband Alexi...you're a keeper. Wishing you a year that brings you as much joy as you bring to those around you.

at this point in November

One thing I love about colder weather is soup. My favorite is french onion soup, or gratin lyonnais if you're at a french restaurant.

Have you seen the movie Planes, Trains and Automobiles? Hilarious. I just added it to our Netflix queue to watch again; it's been awhile. Are there any other great Thanksgiving movies out there we should see?

I'm finally starting to focus on Thanksgiving. I've reserved a turkey and am at least mentally starting to plan. I'll miss my Grandmother's pecans this year; she always sent me a box from her trees.

visitors

We're enjoying a visit from some of the boys' Grandparents. Their school is having a Grandparents and Special Friends Day today, so they came for that and will stay through Thanksgiving. Abbott made them brownies all by himself after school (aside from the oven part) as a welcome treat.

Our guest room includes the bedroom set we bought from Ikea when we were first married. A quilt we received as a wedding gift hangs on the wall; the glider/rocking chair used when the boys were infants is now in this room. The two books in the last picture were handed down to us recently from Alexi's father. When we don't have someone staying in this room, it's a cozy spot for reading to the boys, building forts, and spreading out lots of Lego. The bed most frequently is a laundry depository and napping spot for our cat Cinnamon.

Happy Friday to you!

the winner is...

I've been loving the morning sun we've been having before the rain starts midday.

Comment number 40, via random.org, is the winner of my 2010 calendar giveaway.

"Anonymous said...

Love, love the iced tea picture! Would so love a calendar!

~Julie"

Please email me (leciawphinney at yahoo dot com) your address, Julie, and I'll get it in the mail to you.

Thank you to all who participated!

second grade market

Last week the second graders at our school held a market for parents and students, modeled after the Pike Place Market. Abbott has looked forward to being a second grader running the market since he first shopped at it in kindergarten. Produce and crafts (made by the second graders) are sold; buskers perform. The kids learn about economics and many other things in the process of preparing for and running a market. The proceeds will be given to the Pike Market Community (services include a medical clinic, senior center, foodbank, and preschool). I loved getting to be a part of it all.