Part A: Share at least 3 “Bountiful Blessings” that the Lord has abundantly provided.

Part B: Share your Thanksgiving Feast {past or present} You may use Photos, menus, recipes, activities, traditions…Be creative! –”Who carves the turkey?”, “Do you save the wishbone?”, “What do you serve for dessert?”, “Who hosts the Thanksgiving dinner in your family” ….my favorite…”What do you do with all those leftovers?”

Our Thanksgiving feasts are fairly traditional.  Our menu consists of: turkey, family recipe dressing, mashed potatoes, carrots and a green vegetable, (green beans, broccoli, or asparagus). You will also find on our table homemade turkey gravy, olives, pickles, celery and cream cheese, celery and peanut butter, cranberry sauce (whole not berry), and rolls.  For dessert we always have choices; usually pumpkin pie, apple pie, tapioca pudding, or Jell-O. 

Most of our family lives all over America, but my parents live nearby so we celebrate most holidays with them.  The past couple of years my parents have prepared the vegetables at their house and brought them over to my house.  We usually have dinner here because it’s easier. My dad carves the turkey because he has the most experience and we consider him the head of the family.  My mom makes the family recipe dressing because I have yet to master it.  Besides, hers always tastes delicious.  It is everyone’s favorite.  Basically it is a ‘by taste’ recipe.  We use a couple of pounds of cheap hamburger and brown it all up.  Then we add broth from the turkey pan, chunks of white bread, (has to be white; wheat doesn’t give it the right texture), Bell’s Seasoning, sage and poultry seasoning until we get the right texture and taste.  My dad is the also official taste tester, with my oldest son coming in a close second.  There is hardly any dressing left after the feasting is over and what’s left doesn’t last more than a day in the fridge because everyone eats it up for snacks.

I usually make turkey soup with the carcass and turkey potpie with a mashed potato crust form any leftovers that haven’t been eaten in sandwiches.  Leftovers don’t last too long here, as we don’t quickly grow tired of turkey.  As a matter of fact, we’re cooking turkey drumsticks on the grill this weekend just because we love it.

The Scripture that continues to remind me of my many blessings is probably one every Christian stands on:

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.