Preparing for Giving of Thanks

Today was our first official "Thanksgiving Day." We celebrated all day long by getting ready for tomorrow. (In my experience, the anticipation and preparation is more than half the joy of a celebration!) Daniel was home and for the morning hours he held Aubrey and watched the other kids while I threw chili in the crockpot (well, that was for tonight's dinner) and then baked and baked and baked for tomorrow's feast.

First, Gabriel and I made my favorite part of the Thanksgiving meal: cranberry bread. (Please don't remind me that the no dairy thing means I can't partake this year...)








Then, Bronwyn and I tackled pumpkin pie. I've yet to find a tried and true recipe for pumpkin pie, but a great pie crust recipe from her makes up for the experimentation I do each year on the filling.








Jackson was my challenging special helper who simply would not be left out of the action. And he sure was cute as he beamed with pride after I put the apron around his chubby belly! He and I worked on Daddy's favorite: pecan pie.






This afternoon found me visiting with a really great lady who apparently still likes me even after cleaning my bathrooms, bathing my children, spending the night at my house while Daniel was away one weekend, and weeding my garden (among other things). She invited me over to make a craft, which in and of itself is hilarious because neither of us are "craft people," but our project turned out pretty well, if I do say so myself. And now when Gabriel asks why we don't have a "Thanksgiving sign," I'll point him in this direction:
(the hanging location is still up for debate...)






Honestly, I can think of no better thing to spend a whole day doing than getting ready to give thanks. It was a lot of fun!