Thanksgiving Reflections {And Tables}

"In November, people are good to each other. They carry pies to each other's homes and talk by crackling woodstoves, sipping mellow cider. They travel very far on a special November day just to share a meal with one another and to give thanks for their many blessings - for the food on their tables and the babies in their arms."  ~ from In November, by Cynthia Rylant

2016, our first Thanksgiving at Pineapple House

I am in love with November.

It seems we were just saying Hello November, and now Thanksgiving is nearly here and the month is ebbing away and another autumn is coming to a close. Such is life. The older I get, the more I realize that there really aren't that many autumns. 

Just the other day, I was that little school girl who was thrilled to be wearing a brown dress with a white collar and (this was the thrilling part) brown knee socks. Up until then, I had worn my short white socks but now it was officially fall because Mom let me wear my knee socks. I was coloring pictures of the Mayflower and learning about the Pilgrims and Indians.

And it was just the other day that I was the little girl at her grandmother's table, enjoying the Thanksgiving feast with lots of giblet gravy and wondering what a giblet was. And then there was the year that our family went to the big city to have Thanksgiving dinner with cousins who had no children and they treated Linda and me like very special guests.

Just the other day, I was the young mama of littles who came home for Thanksgiving dinner. A few days later, the family grew and Thanksgiving moved to The Farmhouse. And now, Pineapple House is the home for gathering and singing and turkey and mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie.

2016, one long table at Pineapple House

Thanksgiving is my favorite day of the year, this day set aside for counting our blessings and giving thanks and gathering with my family and feasting! Indeed, we have so much to be thankful for!

All year long I think about Thanksgiving and who will come and how we can make the tables beautiful and festive. Yes, I am that person. I will not judge you if you are a paper plate and Solo cup kind of person because truly the giving of thanks is what the holiday is all about. However, I love to celebrate with a pretty table! Yesterday, Bekah and I went in a gazillion stores looking for ribbon and candles in just the right color for the tables we are seeing in our minds' eyes. (We do not mind doing this. It is the thrill of the hunt.) And we already have plans for next year's tables!

2016, the Grandmother dishes

2009

2009, iced gingerbread place cards, made by Kati

2008

2011

2011

2011, children's table

2007

2012

2015, children's table

2015

2015

2014

A blessed Thanksgiving to you and yours! May you day be filled with grateful praise to the Giver of all good things!