Give Thanks

We enjoyed celebrating Thanksgiving in New Zealand!  We let the kids stay home from school, and spent the whole day preparing food, relaxing, listening to Christmas music, and decorating our tree.  It was perfect.

We found an old sheet in our linen closet that we used as a tablecloth:

I did iron the sheet beforehand… that was as smooth as I could get it!  

This is one of my favorite Thanksgiving sights -- homemade rolls rising.

Thanks to the aforementioned gift of canned pumpkin, we made a delicious pie!  It doesn't look like a traditional pie here, but trust me, it tasted just right. 

Since we spent over SIXTY DOLLARS on a 10-pound turkey, I really really REALLY hoped I wouldn't mess it up.  I've had a mixed track record with cooking turkeys.  Thankfully, this turkey turned out perfect (phew!). 

Here are a few more photos of the food.  Isn't it beautiful?  I almost hated for it to actually be eaten. :)

Ha ha.  That last photo illustrates perfectly how I felt after cooking all day…I stopped caring how beautiful it all was, and just wanted to eat!  Here's a more civilized shot:

My favorite blessings, all waiting patiently for our feast to begin…

I love this family!!  We are overwhelmed with gratitude for the many blessings we have been given, especially for the opportunity to live in New Zealand and to be enjoying so many special and memorable experiences together.  

One final, funny note:  Just as we sat down to eat, our gardener appeared in the backyard.  It was just a normal work day for everyone else.  We chuckled as we ate our fancy meal with yard work being done just outside the windows around us.  Steve took the opportunity to express his thanks that we have a gardener, and don't have to worry about maintaining the yard ourselves.  Amen.