Thanksgiving Open Thread: Three questions

Where I am:
Southern Ohio

What we’re having:
stuffed pork chops
mashed potatoes
sweet potato casserole
stuffing (regular and oyster)
green bean casserole
hot rolls
pumpkin pie

What I’m thankful for:
I wrote about that over here.

A PRAYER FOR THANKSGIVING:
Oh most merciful Father, who has blessed the labors of many in the returns of the fruits of the earth; We give humble and hearty thanks for this bounty; we humbly ask for continuing, loving kindness, that our land may still yield her increase and return to your service,  for your glory, and our comfort; through Jesus Christ our Lord we pray. Amen. (adapted from the Book of Common Prayer, 1928, by Athan-asi-us/FrankV.).

Where I am: 
Euless, Texas

today’s Thanksgiving menu: 
Grilled t-bone steaks with baked potatoes and toasted garlic bread

What I’m thankful for:
My wonderful family, my parish family, and being in the Diocese of Fort Worth under the godly direction of Bishop Jack L. Iker.

We actually had our family Thanksgiving last Saturday so the grandkids could be with us.  Ham, fruit salad, rolls, green salad, glazed carrots, broccoli and rice casserole, sweet potato casserole, pumpkin pie, pecan pie, chess pie, and sweet potato pie.

Where are you? 
At home in Pittsburgh with wife and kids.

What is your Thanksgiving menu?
Turkey, stuffing, gravy
Mashed potatoes
Carameled yams
Brussel sprouts, cauliflower
Pumpkin pie
My wife made it all, we’ll be ready to eat as soon as I get off the internet and carve the turkey…

What are you thankful for this year?
Relevant to this board, I’m thankful we took our family out of TEC.  We found a wonderful ACNA parish that has been more than we expected.

1. Houston
2. A Honey Baked Ham thanks to a gift certificate!
3. Everyone who supported our ministry in Tanzania and New Orleans, the wonderful people who have made a home for us in New Braunfels, and friends helping us gear up for mission to Zanzibar!

Florida
Venison (shot by my son) on the smoker (I think it is a ham cut) It was marinaded overnight in olive oil, mojo criolla, some redwine/garlic vinegar and it has a dry rub of garlic and peppercorn and paprika. 
Roasted root vegetables cooked on the grill. Hubby almost lost an arm when he inquired about the inclusion of brussel sprouts. AS IF!!!!!  Thankfully he reconsidered when I kindly pointed out his folly.
and Apple Pie for dessert.
We are keeping things very simple this year.

And I am thankful that the sod is below my feet and not atop of my head.  And all the messy Glory that goes with the former.

1. Southern Georgia, with my family
2. Pastichio, herbed cherry tomatoes, Italian-style Broccoli, roasted carrots, turnips, whole wheat rolls, apple crisp for dessert
3. I am thankful for my family and friends, this beautiful autumn, my parish, our health, that we have shelter and food, for my community - for more things than I can name, for all the blessings and mercies of God.

Where are you?
Austin, Texas

What is your Thanksgiving menu?
I have NO IDEA.  Somebody else is doing that.  We just have to show up hungry, this time.

What are you thankful for this year?
Our freedoms that remain to us, New grandson, Family, Our LORD and Savior who gave them all to us.

God Bless Ya’ll!

Aggie, Class of ‘70
[url=“http://www.AnAnglicanGN.BlogSpot.com”] An Anglican Firearms “Enthusiast” (ie: Gun Nut)
http://www.ananglicangn.blogspot.com/[/url]

I am with friends and family in Sandwich, MA.  We will be having the standard fare - turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, etc…
I am thankful for our fledgling Anglican parish locally, and our diocese in New England.  I am thankful for the wonderful clergy I have known and worked with; especially Dad, Tim, Craig, Michael and Buzz. I am thankful that my Mom is still alive and well.  I am thankful for new employment as of next Monday.  I am thankful for the most wonderful wife and daughter a man could hope for.  I am thankful for great friends, especially Steve and the Bruins tickets for tomorrow!

God Bless us everyone…Happy Thanksgiving from 20 minutes south of Plymouth, MA

I’m thankful for ....
1. Christ’s Holy Catholic Church
2. Pope Benedict XVI
3. The privilege of serving the Lord in his Church

Western North Carolina
I have no idea what the menu is. I am on my way to find out how Texans do Thanksgiving with a wonderful couple who graced our neighborhood by moving here a couple of years ago. Family is scattered all over NC and SC.

I am thankful for family and friends, but most of all for my Lord Jesus Christ. Also thankful for a new job starting Tuesday.

1.  Diamondhead, MS…...good wife and my mom.

2.  Smoked Turkey, dressing, mashed potatos, gravy.  Tomorrow, boiled shrimp.

3.  Thankful that we could go worship this morning at Our Lady of the Gulf RCC.  Thankful for God’s bountiful mercy, for good food, for this wonderful Country, thankful our son is home from Iraq and with his family in South Carolina.  And thankful it is bright, sunny, and cool today.

1.  Northeastern Ohio.

2.  Roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes with parsnips, the ubiquitous green bean casserole, brussels sprouts, Watergate salad, crescent rolls, pumpkin pie, pumpkin roll, pecan pie, apple cake.

3.  That I will be in a home that I love in a city I love with my healthy family and friends. 
My interesting, worthwhile, secure job.
My new Anglican church.

Conway, Arkansas.

Turkey & dressing with all the fixins, including New Belgium beers.

I am thankful for life and health, for family and friends, for meaningful work, for music, for food and drink, for Jesus Christ’s one holy catholic and apostolic Church, for our Lord’s sacrifice on the cross for the sins of the world, for his bodily resurrection from the dead and his glorious ascension, and for the hope of his coming again to complete God’s purpose for all of creation.

Chicago’s suburbs—home.

Turkey
  Slow cooker stuffing
  baked potatoes (sweet and Idaho)
  baked root vegies (golden beats, fennel and Vidalia Onion with honey and butter sauce.)   
  baked squash (acorn and butternut)
  steamed broccoli with cheese sauce
  jell-o salad with flavored whip cream (what can I say, my mom always made it.)
  three kinds of cranberries (canned jelly, home made relish and home made cooked sauce)

  Pumpkin Charlott

All wheat and gluten free as several of us are Celiac.

Grateful for family, and friends.

FWIW
jimB

where? Loma Linda, California

menu? Whatever my apartment-mate and I can find at a local restaurant. We’re both in medical school here. My family is in Washington state and his is in California but too far to drive home.

Thankful for faithful Christian friends who are not afraid to confront me when I’m wrong about things and who continually pray for me and encourage me with truth from God’s word. I’m thankful for a faithful Anglican congregation to worship with who love the Lord and who have much wisdom to impart to a young man like me. I’m thankful for the strength God has given me to get through some very challenging times during my third year of med school.

Where I am:
Southern California - at home with in-laws visiting, with my side of the family in North and South Carolina

My Thanksgiving menu:
stuffed turkey
cheesy mashed potatoes
green bean casserole
sweet potato casserole
gravy
biscuits
cranberry relish
apple pie “with the cheese”
vanilla ice cream

I am thankful for:
God’s mercy
my new church home
my family - healthy, safe, and doing well
living in the U.S.
books
internet friends

1. north west of Atlanta
2. turkey, gravy, bread stuffing, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoe casserole, rolls, pumpkin pie, nouveau beaujolais
3. I am thankful for 37 years of marriage, children who are responsible, a church home I feel will remain faithful

1. Poway, CA
2. Turkey, dressing, whatever the other members of the clan bring to go with, pumpkin pie.
3. I am thankful for God’s creation and many blessings, for my beautiful children, two lovely grandsons, all the other members of the clan, for the U.S.A., and for those who go into harm’s way for the rest of us each and every day.

1. Fort Worth, Texas
2. Chicken and homemade dressing, sweet potatoes, green beans. Not a big meal for the wife and our youngest son this year.
3. Family, friends, church and to still live in freedom in this great country. Thanks also to all our service men and women and the veterans.

Ambridge, PA

Smoked Turkey Legs, Homemade candied yams, Stuffing, Broccoli, Sliced sweet carrots from the Farmers Market, Whole berry cranberry sauce, Pumpkin pie with whipped cream
And Fudge brownie cupcakes. Four hours cooking for the two of us, me and the 10-year-old.

God’s mercy and provision, and work to do.

12 miles from Guffey, Colorado…home
10 folks around our table: Richard, me, His daughter Sue, her husband Craig, their kids: 20 year-old Jenny & boyfriend Joey, 16 year old Michael, 14 year old Taylor, 9 year old Maddie & Jackie.
menu:
roast turkey
turkey gravy
dressing
fresh cranberry relish
jelled cranberry relish
mashed potatoes (Micheal mashed & seasoned)
sweet potatoes
green bean cassarole
french green beans with almonds
raw carrots, celery & tomatoes
homemade dinner rolls
well water
coffee
pecan pie
pumkin pie & whipped cream
cranberry pie & Cool Whip
Coffee
half & half
raw sugar
I’m thankful for faith,health and life and daily bread, for good friends, good neightbors, loving family

1.  Ocala, FL
2.  Turkey (injected with a butter/garlic solution and seasoned with a secret specialty seasoning then slow cooked over night at 275 deg. F for about 7 hours; great-grandmother’s recipe cornbread stuffing (made by my sister-in-law, thankfully), grandmother’s recipe macaroni & cheese pie, corn casserole (two versions: one plain, one w/ jalepeno pepper rings added), green beans, egg gravy (turkey gravy with hard boiled eggs sliced and added), cranberry sauce, mixed greens salad, potato rolls, pumpkin pie, pecan pie, apple pie and lemon cake.
3.  God’s mercy, my family (especially our new granddaughter born 11/12!), my church family, my job, all God’s good gifts, freedom, love, laughter, my laptop, flannel PJ’s, having a recliner built into my sofa and my comfy and really soft blanket. 

Where am I?:
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio (go ahead and TRY to pronounce it like a native; I won’t laugh).

What’s on the menu?:
Beef and pork roasts done in the same roaster, mashed potatoes, shelly beans, biscuits, and pumpkin pie.

What am I thankful for?:

Christ’s mercy to a miserable sinner and leading said sinner back to the fold, still being on the topside of the ground after too many close calls, and the community of Saints who keep me too busy to backslide very often.

Where am I?:
Lakeland, Minnesota, at home with my daughter.
What’s on the menu?:
Traditional turkey with cornbread dressing, gravy with all the parts from the plastic bags,green beans with toasted almonds, brussels sprouts with crushed bacon and cider vinegar, real mashed potatoes and Joseph Druhin Beaujolais Nouveau 2009.
What am I thankful for?:
My daughter’s love. Good friends. The opportunity to serve my church, my community and our military families.
Bob

1. London
2. Gruel
3. So many blessings God has poured out on me.

1. Liberty, South Carolina
2. Roast turkey, baked ham, stuffing, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, candied sweet potatoes, scalloped corn, pumpkin pie, pecan pie, a chocolate cake to die for (forgot the name) with a hint of hot pepper in the icing, and of course whipped topping.
3. I am thankful for every man and woman in uniform and the civil servants who support them.  I am thankful for family visiting from Oklahoma.  I am thankful that I am working, doing something I really enjoy: teaching American Government. I am blessed to be able to vote in an election for bishop for our diocese.  I could go on all day, but those are the blessings I am particularly thankful for.

Where are you?
Unincorporated Collin County Texas

What is your Thanksgiving menu?
Brisket( Texas style ) Turkey, sweet potatoes, cranberries, salads of every type, deserts of every type.

What are you thankful for this year?
The gift of new life.

Above all, we thank you for your Son Jesus Christ; for the
truth of his Word and the example of his life; for his steadfast obedience, by which he overcame temptation; for his dying, through which he overcame death; and for his rising to life again, in which we are raised to the life of your kingdom.
Grant us the gift of your Spirit, that we may know him and
make him known; and through him, at all times and in all
places, may give thanks to you in all things.  Amen.
(1979bcp)

Where: I am in Southern Ohio.
What: My Thanksgiving menu is Buffalo wings! (Went looking for a Cornish game hen and they didn’t have any, and since I live alone, turkey is too much.)
Thanksgivings:  Life, health, salvation through Jesus Christ, wonderful church family at St. Andrews, the grace of renewal through Via de Cristo, new life for prisoners through Kairos, new vision for parishes through Faith Alive, ministries and missions for the Lord, a home to recover from what the world throws at me, 2 Siamese cats to share the home, a good job, “enough” to share some, 4 days in a row off from that good job!!!!!!  May think of more later, but these are the top of the list.

PS. Note:  If one reads these menu items hungry, one will DROOL A LOT!  Wiping chin now!

Where: Santa Fe, New Mexico

Menu: Shrimp Creole a-la Chef Prudhomme (over rice), with French bread toasted with remoulade sauce. An Ina Garten salad. Sparkling apple cider. Chocolate pudding with whipped cream and butter-toasted pecans.

Thankful for: too many blessings to count,but particularly for Christ’s relentless pursuit of my unworthy soul.

Where: Costa Rica
Menu: Pumpkin pie with whipped cream, chicken, rice
Thanks for: Jesus; my husband (here) and friends and family back in the States; our new friends here; and being able to live on Social Security in a beautiful country.

1. Northern Virginia (I woke up this morning in Arlington, VA and now I’m in Manassas, VA).

2. We ate a a local restaurant for Thanksgiving diner, they had Pumpkin Soap, salad, Turkey (or salmon or London Broil—my family were all true blue Americans and had the turkey), with cranberries, mash and/or sweet potatoes (two had double mash instead), stuffing, coffee and your choice of desert, I went traditional and had pumpkin pie the rest showed the Germanic heritage and had strudel. My dad called at 11:55 and they said they could seat us at Noon or 4PM, so we hurried up and open the place up.

3. This blog won’t allow a post that long! However broad brush, Redemption, eternally and temporally! Provision in a depressed market, The LORD protecting me from myself as well protecting others from my sins. The fact He loves to put me in rough situations that His glory is shown that much brighter and God (Father, Son & Spirit) is very active in my life today. Of course my family and friends, even for people that cause me trouble or annoy me at points, who the LORD often causes those to be my best friends in the future. Mostly with my relationships, first with Jesus, then family and friends then coworkers, people here, to open doors to connect even briefly with a parking garage attendant.

This is an employee of a Client that was helping us on a project for who shared his troubles with my wife, after much prayer from him and from others, his response was waiting for us this morning, something to be shared, it is:

To whom it may concern or bless:

My name is Joel Webb.  I am a 28 year old man with a beautiful family.  I am blessed among men…

Thursday November 19th, 2009, I received news from my wife that our fourth child, not yet born, has been diagnosed with major deformities including but not limited to the absence of legs and angulations of both arms.  The next day we saw a specialist with higher level equipment and our worst fears were confirmed.  We also learned that our baby has a thickened layer of skin in the back of the neck which indicates a high risk for chromosomal disorders, or syndromes. 
My purpose for writing this is not to gain compassion from others, for that has been given in plenty, but to share with all of you a gift that has been given to me by God.  In order to receive this gift I feel I must first tell you what my prayer life has been like in the last few days.

God let this cup pass from me, If it be your will Lord!
Lord please heal my child and make it whole again God.
God please don’t refuse me on account of my righteousness, for I am wicked, but grant me this on your Son’s account Lord for you said that it is by His stripes that we are healed.
God I confess that I don’t know if you will heal my child but I do know that You can if you want to, and my hope is in You, Lord.
Lord why? .. Lord why?
Lord what if………..
Why do I feel cursed, Lord?
Should I be praying for healing? Should I be resigning to Gods will? If I am praying for God to change this child am I saying that God doesn’t know what he’s doing? Did God do this or just allow it? If He allowed it; then why?
Lord please let my thoughts and my words be found acceptable to you.
God is this your plan for our lives?
You can only imagine how this list could go on and on!

On Monday the 23rd we went to the doctor’s office to discuss the findings of the specialist and talk about “options”.  If you have ever been tempted before let me tell you this was the greatest of temptations.  In fact, you keep asking yourself at what point do we spare the child a life of suffering.  During this appointment the temptation was at it’s highest level.  That conversation went something like this:

Doctor: “We are concerned that the child will not have the ability to remove waste because the lower extremities may not be formed”.
Joel and Jen: “when will we be able to know for sure?”
Doctor:”We won’t know totally until the child is born, in fact some children that look perfectly normal on the sonogram are missing some of those necessary parts when they are born and have to go into surgery.
Joel and Jen:” How can we know if the baby will have any brain function or be able to think clearly?”
Doctor:” well around 20 weeks we can look for fluid on the brain or parts of the brain that may be missing to the eye, the amniocentesis that we have scheduled for you on the 4th may tell us if it has chromosomal disorders but cannot tell us if the baby has a syndrome”.

It was at this point that I could almost audibly hear God begin to say with every answer from the doctor “You are just going to have to trust Me.”

That evening as I was crying out to God, He began to paint a picture for me, and that picture is the purpose of this letter.  He answered my questions in a mighty way. Here is what was revealed to me. 

“I know that when you saw your child in that sonogram Joel that you did not see it the way that I see it.” “ I see my wonderful creation and my purpose.” “My promises apply to all of my children and I am the giver of life.” “You have prayed to Me in the past for humbleness, and I have given you the ability to become humble.” “You have prayed for Me to increase your faith, and now you fervently seek my word.” “You ask for closeness with Me and I have made you dependant on my embrace to sustain you day by day.” You have asked for wisdom and I have shown you the meaning of Grace.” “You have wanted to lead my people in praise, and I have planted the meanings of the words of your mouth in your heart.”  “You have asked for strength and I have shown you how strong I think you are.”  “ You asked to be more like Me, and now you have an opportunity to say as I did Come just as you are.”  “This life is not yours to take; it
is for My glory alone.” “Concerning suffering, I sent My Son to suffer for you.” “I have given you all that you need to love this child and it is a blessing not a curse”.  “I am showing you what it is like be a Father to someone who is not perfect and to want so much for them.” “I have given you a mighty testimony because I love you.” “This child is a gift to you.”

I write these things on the eve of Thanksgiving, which is befitting because we all have so much to thank God for.  There are so many things that he has gifted us with through His grace. With that being said my hope remains in Him as He has given me a greatest gift.  He has truly shown me Love.

My name is Joel Webb.  I am a 28 year old man with a beautiful family.  I am blessed among men…

Sorry, from Fort Worth with the most worthy Bishop Iker.

1. Witchita, KS visiting family
2. Turkey, Ham, Hamburger Dressing, Mashed Potatoes,Green Bean Casserole, Yams, Pistachio Pudding, Pumpkin Pie, Cherry Yum-Yum.
3. For my family, friends and for good health.  For answering prayers.  For all he has in store for me in the future.

1.  In Lorton, VA with Wife and her mother
2.  The usual fare, Turkey, Mashed Potatos, Green Beans and Carrots, Fruit Salad, Baked Sweet Potato, Rum Cake and Apple Pie
3.  Thankful to the Lord for allowing me to be on top of the grass, and for his many blessings in our lives.  As a retired Navy Vet I am also thankful for all those that serve our country and pray for their safe return to their families.

Where are you?  SW Dallas County, TX

What is your Thanksgiving menu?
Smoked turkey (husband put it in the smoker last night about midnight), dressing (husband asked for Stove Top Stuffing this time which may tell you something about mine!), mashed potatoes, homemade cloverleaf rolls with butter, fresh-baked and thickly-sliced sweet potatoes with toasted pecans all drizzled with caramel sauce, the infamous green bean casserole (prepared by daughter-in-law who knows that her husband and brother-in-law love it but their mom doesn’t care for it much!), a lovely tossed salad (also prepared by daughter-in-law), wine, sparkling apple cider, or eggnog; and later pecan praline pie AND/OR chocolate peppermint pudding pie (prepared by younger son), AND/OR banana cake w/cream cheese frosting (prepared by daughter-in-law) with coffee, if desired.  To top it all off—a Cowboy win! 

What are you thankful for this year?
Those around our table: our oldest son, his wife, our almost four-year-old grandson, and his little brother (in utero!) and our pie-making, mechanic son.  For a faithful and forgiving husband who helped us get through a traumatic year.  For a trip to Scotland and for my mother coming to visit at Christmas.  For God’s unending love and mercy.  For Jesus.

Thank you Gary for your post. 
I am in Florida and our menu was the traditional turkey dinner.  Our family has had enormous health struggles this year, but after reading that post I know we have less a burden than others.  I am thankful for the ongoing recovery in our family and I am thankful that Joel and his family have found the strength and love of our Lord.

1. E. Texas - Diocese of Dallas

2. Turkey & all the ‘trimmings’

3. Spoke with our son in Afghanistan - first time in nearly three weeks - which is to say, they have been very busy of late - this year, unlike last, DEFAC didn’t destroy the Thanksgiving meal (he was in S. Iraq then)it was outstanding: turkey, ham, roast beef and all the trimmings - we are so thankful for his and the safety of all of those ‘in harm’s way’.

Joel and Gary, many prayers.

Where are you?
Rome
What is your Thanksgiving menu?
Traditional Turkey dinner with all the fixins.
What are you thankful for this year?
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, God’s Holy Catholic Church, priesthood, all the sacraments, family, friends, the prospect of greater unity, life, education, the patience of others, etc….  There is so much to be thankful for.

Thanks, Gary.  Our prayers are with Joel, his family and the process they will go through.  They will be bringing God to many who don’t normally see Him, and how they handle this will witness to many God’s power and strength.  May God give them courage, strength and His comfort in the days ahead.

Where are you?
Lakeland, FL - Outside - cooler than it’s been
What is your Thanksgiving menu?
Grilled steaks rescued from my parents freezer,
Potato salad, fried sweet potatoes,
cranberry tangerine relish (tangerine straight off our tree),
Pumpkin,sweet potato and cranberry pies.
What are you thankful for this year?
1. That my mom let us skip the turkey this year!  Low key, low stress day.  It was a great day.
2.  That it’s been over a year and a half without my spouse in the hospital and we look like we’ll make it for the first 6-month stretch without having to see the doctor sooner in two weeks.  First time in 10 years.  And that he keeps improving, albeit slowly and may yet walk again.
3.  That God has and continues to sustain us.  That He is real and exists and speaks to each of us when we take the time to listen.

Where are you?
At our home in Illinois.  We shared the day with 20 Family and Friends

What is your Thanksgiving menu?
Turkey, Ham, Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Sweet Potatoes, Corn, Green Bean Casserole, Marshmallow Fruit Salad, Apple Rings, Raspberry/Cranberry Jello, Rolls, Pies: Triple Berry-Pumpkin-Apple, Portillo’s Chocolate Cake, Ice Cream, Mom’s Brownies.

What are you thankful for this year?
My husband and our 24 years together.  Our two precious girls (who are no longer little). That together we share a faith in our Saviour.  That we have a home we can open to others. That my Dad (who has Senior Dementia) had a good day yesterday and was able to join us. He was alert, aware, and feeling pretty well.

At my sister’s in Lexington, Ohio.

Turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, creamed corn casserole, green beans and peppers, stuffing, sweet potato-pecan casserole, homemade cranberry relish, cranberry bread, pumpkin bread, pineapple-cream cheese-walnut-lemon jello “salad,” pecan, apple and pumpkin pies, chocolate pudding cake, and my home-brewing husband’s delicious dark porter. Repeat throughout the day as necessary all of the above.

As the insistent voice of godless, “superior” “morality” grows daily more emphatic in our culture, very grateful for what seems to be a stronger, more articulate voice for Christianity answering the pressure and faithfully “standing firm” for His kingdom. We “may have come to the kingdom for such a time as this.” “Sometimes you have to push as hard against the age that pushes against you.” - Flannery O’ Connor

Where are/were you?

A small nursing home in Boonville IN

What is your Thanksgiving menu?

A slice of turkey loaf, salty dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry jelly, cream pie and lemonade

What are you thankful for this year?

That my 86 year old mother-in-law is alive to share this meal with us and her husband.

Thanksgiving is not about what you eat.  It’s who you eat it with.

Ferndale MI (just north of Detroit). Three couples/families got together:
Two turkeys
three dressings (traditional stuffing, Serbian sausage and rice stuffing, and chestnut and sausage dressing)
cauliflour au gratin
sweet ptato casserole
green bean casserole w/goat cheese, feta, and cremini mushrooms
potatoes and gravy
cranberry relish and cranberry gellatin mold
squash
corn
various pies

We are thankful for all of God’s provision some had plenty some got by this year, but all gloriously content Phil 4:11 Thankful for good fellowship and intellectual nourishment

Great idea! Wish I hadn’t been too busy yesterday to look at my computer. After the fact:
1. Iowa (on the Mississippi).
2. Two smoked turkeys and a third I cooked on the Weber, plus all the fixings.
3. The grace of God would be a good place to start. Early detection and successful, minimally invasive of my wife’s cancer. A great family. Being in a diocese with backbone (Quincy) and a wonderful church family is up high, too.

In Rock Hill eating Day 2 left overs. Turkey with dressing, sweet potato casserole, spinach casserole, jellied cranberry sauce, cherry pie à la mode. Thankful for all the blessing of this life, things known and things unknown.

#46 Summersnow - Mmmmmm Portillo’s chocolate cake - my favorite!

Where - Western Suburbs of Chicago
What - Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole, squash/sweet potato gratin, salad, rolls, pecan pie, pumpkin pie. 
Note - no cranberry sauce - Mom took it to the next door neighbors’ house along with flowers and soup the day before - we’re not sure why (a common theme).  But they did send a lovely thank you note for it…which solved the mystery of why we couldn’t find it before dinner.

Thankful for - I’m thankful for Jesus and the changes He’s made in my life.

Location: Cerbatana (Blowgun), Costa Rica

Menu: see #32, Connie Sandlin, above. (It was delicious.)

I am thankful to Almighty God, who created us, gave us free will, and sent His only Son to save us from our sins and those of our forefathers.  For my loving wife and rascally children.  For those native Americans who helped our early colonies survive some seriously cold winters a few hundred years ago.  For the blogosphere and those who inhabit it.  For those who stand firm in faith.  And God bless Bishop Jack Leo Iker!

Joel,

Thanks so much for sharing here.
You are truly blessed among men.

Place - Florida.
Food - Roasted Turkey, dressing, roasted turkey breast, mashed potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce (3 kinds), 5 cup salad, rolls, pumpkin and apple pies, various wines, coffee and tea. More food that we need.
I’m thankful for faith, freedom, family, and my job. After visiting a few families less fortunate the past week, I realize that people are pretty hopeless without faith to sustain them after they have lost a job. People are hurting - kids are hurting. You’d be amazed how open people are for hearing the “hope that you have.” (1 Pet 3:15) I am also thankful for the courage to share the hope of nations. (Matthew 12:21)
If you know someone who has lost a job or need, please reach out this holiday season and share what you have materially and share Christ.