Five Good Things

We had a veggie stir fry for dinner last night. These lovelies, plus green onions, a little garlic, and toasted almond slivers over noodles. Not just a delicious dinner, but a trial run for Maria's birthday lunch... she wants to serve ramen, like they do in Ponyo. It's fun, and challenging, when you're creating a birthday party theme without the benefit of standard issue party favors and decor. Happily, Maria agrees that our original ideas, and touches are great, and in good keeping with the very original director himself, and for good measure Maria commissioned a cake from her talented and creative Tutu. So, it will be, in some fashion or another, a Hayao Miyazaki party for Maria's tenth birthday celebration. We're happy as can be!

But first, Thanksgiving! My favorite. Halloween is great fun, birthdays are special, Christmas is dear, and lovely, and you know I can make even Groundhog Day an event... but Thanksgiving is like a lovely pause between the candy rush and the mild hysteria that the proceeding holidays can impose. Thanksgiving is warm, quiet, and comforting, it's gratitude and gathering, and makes me feel thankful for home, for family, for memories, and connections. It brings us to the basics of all good things, especially when we can be home, be with family, be safe, be in tune with our comforts and pleasures. {Also, I think we are going to try to make one of those Viking tents for the backyard, and shoot... who wouldn't want that for Thanksgiving comforts and pleasures??}

Good Things...

1. Delia has come all the way from Oregon. She left real autumn weather, and her sweetheart, too, so we think it's especially lucky that we have her here with us.

2. Our own weather forecast looks slightly less ghastly {hot, dry, windy} than previously predicted, and we even have some rain in the picture next week.

3. Lately, Mister Washburn Foo is inclined to snuggle on our laps and feet.

4. Friends... when they call, or text, or share pictures of their own laundry horrors, so you can feel normal, when they offer soup, hold your hand, tell you it's going to be alright.

5. The new roof that hangs over our porch and keeps out the rain... and Geoff, who built it, and fills my life with more goodness than I can count.

It's almost Thanksgiving time. I love the FB posts of travel, and preparations, the recipes shared, and plans being made. There is something warm and loving in the anticipation everyone feels... it's so very good.