Who Will Be Gathered Around Your Thanksgiving Day Table?

In some years past we have hosted Thanksgiving for Mr.'s family

Using my Grandmothers Johnson Brothers China, decorating the dining room.

This year we are doing something different.

I can never get my brother to come over with my husbands family.

Since it is just my brother and I, I always want to see him.

So we are going to Maggiano's in St Louis, you can check out the Thanksgiving menu.

Then later to my SIL's who hosts the opposite years from me.

We have a lot to be Thankful for this year.

My husbands business is doing much better, I actually can sleep at night without lying awake at night.

We are both healthy and happy. So are my family members.

I am thinking of those who have challenges, my friend who was just diagnosed with Breast cancer, or my friend whose husband is the last stages of ALS.

So as you gather around the table with those you love, give Thanks.

I will be remember those who are gone.

Thanksgiving 1972 My Mom, Dad, brother, both Grandfathers and My Grandmother. I wish I could go back in a time machine (and take Mr with me)

I can remember Mom cooking and it getting so warm we would have to crack the windows.

I can see her China with the turkey on it in the picture.

This year will be different, but I am still Thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving

Spice of Life

Spice of Life

My Mom always added some much spice to my life and I miss her everyday.

Hard to believe next week she will be gone 12 years.

Those years have flown by, but my heart still aches.

While I was on vacation we went to 1515 and MR helped me put some things up.

a addition to the kitchen

hanging above my Grandmothers enamel table.

It is my Mom's spice cabinet.

I found it still in a Rubbermaid tub in the basement, where it had been packed since I brought things home when I had to pack up my childhood home.

Why is it so special to me?

I gave it to my Mom for Christmas in 1975

I saw it at a local gift shop and just knew she would love it.

I made payments on it starting in Nov till I got it paid off with my babysitting money.

I was so excited Christmas morning when she unwrapped it

I think she was happy to.

It hung in her kitchen the next 30 years

Again, how did the time go so fast ?

I gave it a good cleaning

Extra labels were still in the drawer

spices still in the containers

seems to fit the space just right.

My paternal Grandmothers kitchen and Hoosier cabinet, my maternal Grandmothers enamel table and now my Moms spice cabinet. Memories of the women in my life who made me the person I am today.

I think each one of them added some spice to my mix that makes me....."me"