"I started photographing my domestic world and writing not just about what I had made,
but why I made it, examining the thoughts that accompany creativity and the act of making."
Jane Brocket from The Gentle Art of Domesticity p. 189 UK edition

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Gathering Gratitude















































 Our family started celebrating our USA holiday of Thanksgiving early this year and very untraditionally except for gathering together.  We gathered to celebrate my youngest daughter's wedding and had several formal dinners [tablecloth, cloth napkins, ] at the church where the wedding was held.  At home we had many meals...on paper plates, even the night we celebrated Thanksgiving with turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, carrot casserole, celery sticks, olives and pickles, pumpkin and apple pie.


I don't have pictures to show you everyone, but there is one of me hugging my nephew, and one of me sitting next to my youngest son [who walked me, then his youngest sister down the aisle].  My oldest son and only daughter-in-law in NY were unable to come to the wedding, but the church recorded it so that those who couldn't come [including the groom's brother and family who live in Cambodia] could watch on line. [my oldest son recently sent pictures of my grandsons ages seven and five so I included pictures of them for you to see] My niece and two of her daughters flew in from Nebraska to be with us, too!


On Thanksgiving Day my youngest daughter and her husband were on their honeymoon, my sisters and their families had all flown home.  So before my oldest son-in-law left for work [swing shift] we gathered around the table and had spaghetti [made with ground turkey and bottled tomato sauce].  My oldest daughter asked God's blessing on the food.  She then asked each one of us to list something for which we were thankful.  [Mommy, Daddy, toys, home, work and family were among those things mentioned]

Thanksgiving evening my oldest daughter along with her two daughters made two batches of gingerbread cookie dough [one with and one without gluten].  Then on Friday the girls and I made a paper chain for our Christmas tree. I drank some yummy tea and we all ate lots of gingerbread cookies while it poured rain outside; and I worked on crocheting a snowflake!

As I looked at the pictures for this post I cried and smiled and felt sooooo grateful to God for such precious people, [and Shelby Dog] who have been lovingly present for me; and I am grateful for each of you who take the time to view One Saylor's Log and encourage me with your loving comments.

Are you gathering gratitude?  I hope so!

xx from Gracie



18 comments:

  1. Oh, I think you captured it all perfectly!!! Family is what it is all about!!! I loved seeing these pictures of your precious ones.
    Big hugs,
    Kris

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  2. Yes Gracie, I'm gathering gratitude each and every day. And I'm so very grateful today for your " friendship" and happy that you have such a big and great family to keep close to your heart. I I have not had much time To blog as I spent a lot of time with my family but I have tried to keep up with reading " my friends" blogs and I'm so happy you have such great memories to share.
    Hope you are enjoying your holiday festivities. Big hug :)

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  3. Precious photos of precious times. xx

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  4. Hello such wonderful photos of wonderful and precious times. Belated Thanksgiving wishes. I was away last week visiting my eldst son and his lovely family. It was wonderful seeing them as it had been six weeks ( I know others have to wait much longer between visits) and I was very excited. We were made very welcome and we were able to help out here and there with some 'hole filling' in walls prior to painting tomorrow ( we not painting - we are now home) DH did that and a bit of childcare. Unfortunately DH did most of that as well as I was poorly- got steadily worse as week went on- I have a nasty chest infection. I gathered lots of hugs, kisses , chats and play together to keep me going until next time which will probably be after Christmas now. Had hoped to go up and see the Christmas production at the boys school but tickets may be restricted. I have told my DIL to let her mum have preference as hopefully I will get to see my granddaughters in their productions as they live close by. My DIL's parents are well away from both of their daughters.
    Sorry for such a long post. Love Anne x

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  5. Hello such wonderful photos of wonderful and precious times. Belated Thanksgiving wishes. I was away last week visiting my eldest son and his lovely family. It was wonderful seeing them as it had been six weeks ( I know others have to wait much longer between visits) and I was very excited. We were made very welcome and we were able to help out here and there with some 'hole filling' in walls prior to painting tomorrow ( we not painting - we are now home) DH did that and a bit of childcare. Unfortunately DH did most of that as well as I was poorly- got steadily worse as week went on- I have a nasty chest infection. I gathered lots of hugs, kisses , chats and play together to keep me going until next time which will probably be after Christmas now. Had hoped to go up and see the Christmas production at the boys school but tickets may be restricted. I have told my D.I.L to let her mum have preference as hopefully I will get to see my granddaughters in their productions as they live close by. My D.I.L's parents are well away from both of their daughters.
    Sorry for such a long post. Love Anne x

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  6. Gracie, there is so much Joy and love on the faces of your family members. The special times you share with them are a true blessing. So glad you were able to have this extended time together.
    Hugs to you,
    Meredith

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  7. Hello Gracie,
    First of all everyone is smiling.....that alone is a tonic....smiling is strong stuff! If you consider I live far,far away on the other side of the pond and can feel its effect here as I look at your snapshots then as I said..... very strong stuff indeed.
    You must have felt so very happy surrounded by so many smiles.
    Many thanks indeed for sharing these delicious photographs with us of your family.
    I agree we should sit back and evaluate what we can be grateful for!

    keep well

    Amanda :-)

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  8. Gracie, I love all the photos. I especially love all the smiles on everyone's faces. What a wonderful family gathering and loving times spent with each other.
    Being grateful is an absolute if you want to have happiness in your life. I have found that to be so true.

    Hugs,
    Sharon

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  9. Gracie, I just loved each and every photo of your wonderful big family! What magic times a wedding is.. you look so happy! I'm so glad we're friends.. and hope we can get together soon.
    ****************************************
    *H*A*P*P*Y* * *H*O*L*I*D*A*Y*S*!*!*!*
    ****************************************
    ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  10. Yes, I'm gathering gratitude and savoring each piece~
    Congratulations again to your daugther and son-in-law!

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  11. Aw, once again the photo's you have shared with us are great....everyone looks so happy and are obviously enjoying themselves :) Just seeing people smile for the right reasons is a tonic x x x

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  12. What beautiful family photos. (And scenery too.) It looks as though your cup is running over with blessings big and small.

    I appreciated your comment on Knitsofacto.

    P.S. Thought I was following you, but Blogger seems to keep dropping people off my list. Trying again!

    :)

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  13. Hi Gracie. :) This was a beautiful and privileged glimpse into your home and family - I loved it. Everyone looks so happy! I wish you and your lovely family all the blessings in the world... Love, Sosae

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  14. Gracie

    WOW your family looks soooooo happy. ITs wonderful to see this. Mine is a bit messed up, extended family that is.....
    the picture of little one in a blanket is GREAT

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  15. Dear Gracie How lovely to see such happy photos of you and your family. It looks like everyone had such a wonderful time! So many reasons to be grateful :)
    Wishing you a lovely weekend.
    Helen x

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  16. You are very blessed with such a family gathering.Two children, one son-in-law and 2 grand children for us. I church family certainly make up for it though.

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  17. Love all the family photos! Thanksgiving must be one of my favorite holidays--and it's coming up again soon!

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