Thanksgiving 2010

Happy Thanksgiving from cool and clear Prescott, Arizona! We got up early this morning – Ron to prep the turkey, and me to make the bread stuffing. It’s just not Thanksgiving until you smell celery and onions sautéing in butter! We’re actually going to the restaurant at Talking Rock Ranch for the Thanksgiving buffet, but couldn’t let go of some of our at-home traditions. That means roasting a small turkey, so we can have leftovers. Over the next few days, we’ll add a few of our favorite side dishes. Ron’s already making cranberry sauce. And we can’t do without the oyster casserole!

Yesterday, I re-read my blog from last Thanksgiving. I smiled as I reviewed the list of things for which I was thankful a year ago. All of those blessings still apply. Looking back, I couldn’t have imagined how much more could be added to my already charmed runaway life.

The addition of our Prescott home and all our new Talking Rock friends has been unexpected and so amazing. For now, we have the ridiculous luxury of enjoying the best of Chicago and the best of the high desert of Arizona at our whim. (By spring 2012, we’ll either sell or rent the condo and move to AZ full time.)

On December 1, we head back to Illinois to spend Christmas in Chicago. I’m looking forward to visiting friends, seeing a play, attending the Chicago Symphony’s holiday concert, and finishing my shopping in a snowy, urban setting, along the decorated city streets. Then, we’ll sidestep the worst of winter by coming back to Prescott for January and February. I’m so spoiled.

Happy Thanksgiving! Ours could only be better if we were with family. I hope you are surrounded by family and friends, and have an opportunity to give thanks for all the blessings of life – big and small.