Thanksgiving...

...Day was amazingly low key and wonderful. Since my sister's little ones were with their dad, we decided to do something a little different for our meal: a standing rib roast. I was a little concerned that we weren't going to do turkey, but since Claudine's little ones would be with us on Friday and we would be doing the "official Thanksgiving" with one of Claudine's closest friends and his girls, i was hoping it would be okay because i hate to break traditions. Robert did a beautiful job on that standing rib roast; really it was so dang yummy. It was also the first time i've had a standing rib roast, so that was kinda neat, too. Claudine and i kept the entire meal simple, having a green bean and mushroom casserole, asparagus spears and a favorite pumpkin chocolate chip bread as dessert.

I was a bit taken back at how much i loved our simple meal. There was no stress, no huge clean up, no stuffed feelings after our meal. A lesson learned here for me....stress-free and simple really is the way to go on meals for the holiday. While food is important, only a few recipes are needed and instead of staying with our usual recipes, Claudine and i searched for new one. But truly, it was being around family that made the day special.

Oh, yeah, and the fact that we were by the beach was special, too!

I also learned the importance of spending this holiday with others. Thanksgiving is one of my most favorite holidays and it really should be a multi-family gathering. If that can't be arranged, then i really think that it's important to invite others to your home or to organize a get-together with friends and their families. There is nothing better than preparing a meal together, laughing together, saying grace together and enjoying each other's company. It is in those moments that you truly understand how important your family and friends are and how grateful you are to have them with you.

We were lucky to have Aunt Betty with us on this Thanksgiving. She isn't "our" aunt, but Claudine and i have now adopted her. Aunt Betty has been an important part of Claudine's life the past two years and has become Claudine's mentor of sorts spiritually. She gave Claudine a beautiful bible a while back and Claudine is slowly, slowly, with Aunt Betty's help, working her way through it and asking questions.

Out of the shattered pieces of Claudine's former life, good is slowly shining through...

Aunt Betty reminds Claudine and i so much of our Mom. She thinks the same things are funny, has the same hair style and is very intent on taking care of herself. Aunt Betty knew my Mom and my Mom really loved being around Aunt Betty so it was special for Claudine and i to have her with us.

A walk on the beach to look for shells after dinner made the day perfect....and one to be very thankful for.