Thursday, November 24, 2011

Wanting Memories

I'm spending the morning listening to the radio and preparing stuffing.  The turkey is still frozen (again) though not to the crisis level of last year.  Maybe next year we'll finally be able to properly defrost a turkey in time for Thanksgiving!  So the turkey is in a tub of water.  I have onions and celery chopped for the stuffing and am sauteing chorizo for the stuffing as I type.  Everything I am cooking this year I have made before, so I wanted at least one new recipe.  I got this recipe from NPR.  I'll let you know how it turns out!

Lee is out running last minute errands - trash run, water run, and last minute Fred Meyer run.  Just got the phone call.  Every store is out of sage, so the stuffing will be sageless.  Oh well.  I'm sure it will still be tasty.  Or not.  Such is life.  

Me, I'm enjoying the quiet of the morning, listening to a concert on NPR with a men's vocal group.  They just sang Wanting Memories, originally written and sung by Sweet Honey in the Rock.  If you don't know the song, go to itunes and download it pronto!  It's beautiful and matches the mood of the morning.  

I am missing home this holiday.  The past few days I've been very teary, missing my family, my Meme's cooking, just the joy of everyone coming together, too much food, fun conversation, my mom, uncle Mark and Auntie laughing in the kitchen - they have great laughs.  I miss snuggling on the couch with my cousin.  It's the first time since we've been out here that I've truly missed it.  I even tried to get our guests into the tradition by asking them all to cook.  It didn't work, and really wasn't fair.  They are all bringing things, which is generous.  I think I wanted to try to replicate that feel of everyone coming together, working together to make it special.  

I also feel very blessed this morning.  I have wonderful memories fueling me through the morning.  And I have the most amazing husband.  He's been so loving these last few days and helpful without blinking an eye.  Our home is cozy and clean - such a blessing!  The light outside is dim and grey, but inside it's warm.  I feel grounded in cooking and dancing and listening to music.  We have guests coming over at 1:00, who will be happy to come together, missing their families as well.  We'll be spending our time playing Settlers of Catan.  No football or parade for us, as we have no TV!

Sending wishes for a wonderful day to everyone.  Here's hoping it's a day that makes many memories for you and yours.