Happy Thanksgiving

Yup. Thanksgiving. We up here in Canada celebrate our Thanksgiving earlier than you down south. The harvest is earlier. The cold comes earlier. The snow flies earlier. So it works for us.

At this time, we are told to think about what we are thankful for.

For me, the list starts with my family. For my husband Bill, a great and wonderful man, I am truly thankful. Without him, I wouldn't have the kids that I have. I am thankful for my kids. They drive me crazy sometimes (as does Bill) but life without them would be sparse indeed. I am thankful for my parents. Wonderful people both. I am thankful that they live so close and that I can still call on them for help if needed. And my in-laws. No overbearing, bossy in-laws here. Just a great cohesive unit that is free with the love and sparse on the advice. And Grandma makes a mean pie. I am thankful for my sibblings. My sisters, Nicole(the larger) and Christine, both far away, and my brother, Von, nearby. And the much revered Uncle Sandy. Aunties and Uncles are a wonderful thing.

I am thankful to have a job and enough money coming into the house. Still can't afford the holiday in the Swiss Alps, but necessities are covered and there is a bit left over for "fun". I am thankful for my ability to create beautiful things and for having a place to sell them. I am also thankful to those who recognise the quality and are willing to pay for it. And of course, the Carleton Artist Market would not be the same without my fellow vendors. They are a great group of people. I am thankful to be a part of it.

I am thankful that I have a loom small enough to fit in my house. I am thankful for my teacher, Susan, who both nurtured my love of weaving and gave me this loom.

I am thankful that I have the ability to grow my own food. I am thankful that the kids will eat all of the pickles (including the LAST NINE JARS) that I put up this year. I am thankful that I am done pickling. Really done with the dills. I hauled them out by their little roots last week. Enough is enough! Well, I still have that green tomato chow, but that is a story for another day.

I am thankful for all of the trees in this city. It is a truly beautiful place to live. I am thankful that it is relatively crime free.

I am thankful for the Craft College and the students there. There are some truly creative ones and I find myself inspired at times.

I am thankful for my friends, both near and far. For those who I see seldom and those who I see often. I am thankful for all of the people who I have met through blogging. It amazes me how much you can care about someone you have never met face to face.

I am thankful that I live without TV. Soul sucking consumer driven box. Have you ever watched the kids channel? The adds are enough to give me a headache. No wonder kids end up wired and hyperactive. I am thankful Bill agrees.

I am thankful that all grandparents will be here today to squeeze around our table and share this day with us. I am thankful that there is wine in the fridge.

I could go on and on, but, you get the picture. There is one last thing that I am thankful for. I am thankful that I live in a peaceful country. May we always stay that way. Nuff said.

What are you thankful for?