It’s Thanksgiving again. It’s hard to believe that a year has come and gone, and we’re once again looking ahead to December on our calendars. We’re hosting Thanksgiving at our house this year, and my husband’s parents will be coming over, along with his sister, and our niece and nephew. We made our Thanksgiving shopping trip last week, so that we wouldn’t be overwhelmed with a long to-do list. Of course, if I open the fridge and freezer in the garage, I’m overwhelmed at the prospect of cooking the food...it’s a good problem to have.

It’s been an interesting few months on this rock that we call Earth, and some of the news has been less than inspiring. So when a holiday rolls around that is all about being grateful and giving thanks, it’s a good time to reflect on the blessings that surround us, and the good people and community that we’re a part of. Good food and great company are certainly worth celebrating.

This year, my husband is anxious to be more involved in the cooking. Thanks to Pinterest, I’ve been branching out in our weekly meals, trying new recipes and he often finds himself near the oven, sniffing cautiously. “That smells delicious,” he’ll say, smiling. And then he’ll pause and ask, “What is it?” So on a day that is steeped in tradition, almost guaranteed to produce a few dinners of leftovers and a week’s worth of lunches, he’s inclined to safeguard the menu.

On Thursday, I imagine that we’ll have all of the food laid out on the kitchen counters. We’ll make our way through this obstacle course of culinary delights, armed with only our cutlery and our appetites. We’ll sit together at the table, sharing memories, jokes, and stories, and fighting over the last few yeast rolls. And we’ll end the evening watching television, our bellies full, our minds content, and our hearts at peace.

Of course, three young children and a 100 lb. mastiff might add a little drama to an otherwise peaceful atmosphere, but that’s a blessing in itself. So here’s hoping that your Thanksgiving is full of happiness, blessings, and just a little bit of fun. I’m Claire, the Afena blog mom. Thanks for reading.