Giving Thanks....

Thanksgiving usually conjures up a mouth-watering day of over-indulgences surrounded by family and friends.  Ours was no exception!  Norm and Wendy hosted our extended families: Bogarts, Bellos, Stilleys, Wilhites, and Welchs, all joining in for a day of celebration and really good food.

Happy Thanksgiving from the Bogart, Bello, Stilley, Wilhite, and Welch family!

The turkey had bathed in a bourbon brine for 24 hours and was juicy and tender.  There was also ham, just in case we didn't have enough sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, and Brussels sprouts.  The wine selections were mostly pinots and very good.  For dessert there was pumpkin and apple pies but Chris' bread pudding topped with caramel sauce was the hit of the night.

The three younger grands, Damien, Liliana, and Christina,  played well and Annie the grandlab endured being ridden and providing rides in return.  Daniel, soon to be college-bound, watched football and kept his iPhone busy texting and gaming.  Those of us who travel and only see the other grandmas on special occasions enjoyed getting caught up on each others goings-on.  We so missed having Noelle, our high school junior soon to be 17, and Stephanie and Gary, Howard's daughter and husband, who have such a crazy work schedule in Sacramento.

Being thankful is really what this is all about and certainly can be practiced all year long, not just on its namesake holiday.  We are so blessed and grateful for a lifestyle that provides a multitude of  beautiful locations, new experiences and opportunities to expand our horizons, and push our limits on an affordable retirement budget.  To be able to visit friends around the country and make new friends along our journey; a priceless blessing indeed.

Our families, now all mingled from various marriages, are like one big happy family, and we spend 4 or 5 months throughout the year with them. They provide us with so much pleasure, watching them grow, sharing their trials and tribulations and applauding all their accomplishments.  Again, a blessing of our mobility to be where we need to be.

And all of you, friends, bloggers, virtual and otherwise, have enlightened and entertained me, caused me to laugh hysterically and cry in joy and sadness.  What a world we live in to be able to reach out and touch so many.  I am truly grateful for all of you.

I have an upcoming minor surgical procedure which will be done next Wednesday, Nov. 28th at the Santa Clara Hospital: A da Vinci robotic hysterectomy. Now seriously, this is state of the art. The difference between robotic and regular laparoscopy, she said, is like the difference between watching a movie in 2D or 3D. 3D gives her a more detailed view as she operates the robot from her computer.  

Hmmm...Hope Da Vinci is having a good day!

Gratitude is abundant in our lives and we give thanks for all our many blessings!