Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving!!

In just a day and a half it will be Thanksgiving. A time to reflect and give thanks for all the blessings in our lives. Just a couple of things that I am thankful for: my silly, goofy, handsome boy, Rory, and the friendship of so many of you here in the blogging world. Your comments always make me smile. I thank you all for each and every one. You brighten my day and lighten my heart.

Thanksgiving is also a time for families. I sit here trying to think of what to write and remembering so many Thanksgivings from my past. The smells of desserts baking as I made umpteen pies, cookies, brownies and cheesecakes. (I would bake for five days to prepare the goodies for the holidays.) Peeling potatoes, sweet potatoes and the turnip and the smell of Mom's chestnut sausage stuffing and the turkey cooking. The warmth of the kitchen and the laughter as we got the meal prepared. All that work for the best tasting meal of the year. Thanksgiving at our house was all about family. As we grew older and my siblings married and began their own families it was Thanksgiving that often brought us all together. Dessert at our house was a must. And then there was the year when we had 35 sit down for dinner! As time went by more of my siblings and their families moved away and our Thanksgiving dinners became smaller affairs but Mom and I always made the same meal and still celebrated. This marks my second Thanksgiving without my Mom. Last year I spent part of the day with my Aunt and Uncle (Mom's baby brother). It was difficult and I will be honest and say that it wasn't an easy day for me. And when I walked into my Aunt and Uncle's home the delicious smells were what put me over the edge. I do miss my Mom everyday but more so on the holidays that we both loved.

This year I am doing something different for this holiday. No turkey cooking and filling the house with its yummy fragrance. (I did cook one this past Sunday. Just for the leftovers.)

No Black Friday shopping. (I have done that in the past and had a blast! Especially the ones I made my Mom get up at 3 AM so we could be at the mall by 4!)

Instead I am going to be at a dog show!! (No, not the one on TV after the parade. That one was taped last Sunday. Oh, I know who won already. LOL) Four days of shows. Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I'm bringing my turkey leftovers for turkey sandwiches and Rory and I are off tomorrow (Wednesday) evening. Here's hoping that Rory shows well and maybe even wins a couple more points! My dog show friends will be there too. I am really looking forward to it. We should have fun.

My stitching news for this posting is that I have been working on two exchanges and a few more ornaments for gifts and my LNS grab bag that's coming up in a few weeks. So no photos yet.


I did receive a few lovely things in the mail. A small giveaway/thank you from Maggie O. It is an ornament frame. Isn't it neat? Thank you Maggie. I'm still trying to decide what ornament to use it for. I also receive my winnings from a giveaway that BeckySC had. Thirteen different charts! I am all set for next years Halloween exchanges and stitching. Thank you Becky! Next up is a small thank you/rak from Alison. She had me as her exchange partner and she must have really liked what I sent her because she sent me this in return! The handmade tree is just beautiful and the fabrics (there are two more I forgot to include in the photo) will really come in handy. Thank you so much Alison.


And last but not least are two exchanges. It turns out the April was my partner in both the Seasonal exchange and the HoE exchange. She sent both in the same package! I'm not sure which is for which so I took photos of them together. Thank you April.

It wouldn't be any kind of holiday if I didn't make Rory wear something silly. I couldn't find a pilgrim hat so I figured he could be a native American. Complete with his trusty Indian pony. :)

(yeah, yeah, I know it looks just like a Cabbage Patch kid horse. That's because it is! And don't ask me it's name. My nieces have played with this for years and Heavens knows where the papers are.)



So that's all the news that's fit to print. At least right now. So until next time......................




I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving filled with love and laughter.
Rory wishes you one filled with all kinds of good things to eat.
And Rosie just wishes you peace and quiet! Love and stitches,
Kathy
and licks from Rory too

PS. Rosie is in one of her favorite places. Rory's crate! Esoecially when he is not in it! Silly kitty.

29 comments:

Lana said...

Wow!! I hope you have a wonderful time at the dog show and bring home lots of prizes!! But most of all have loads of fun!!! Rory with that Indian headband....too funny!!!

VinGirl said...

Congratulations on your gorgeous exchanges, I'm jealous! I know you put a lot of work into your projects though, and you deserve it all. :) I have to say your photos of Rory made me giggle out loud...he looks so cute as a Native American, especially his cocked head expression. *lol* Have a wonderful time at your shows, and good luck! ♥

*hugs*
Michelle

Jane said...

Hi Kathy
It can be so hard to get through these special occasions when someone you've loved so much is missing but your memories sound very happy ones and I guess in time they will be easier to remember BUT you have Rory and he's such a cutie and I know from Tilly they give such comfort and warmth to us so make sure you share a happy thanksgiving with him and I'll have everything crossed that you win every prize in every category.
Hugs to you both
xxx

Anonymous said...

Wishing you and Rory much successes at the dog show this weekend! Wishing you safe travels as well! Rosy looks quite comfy in Rory's crate.

Robin in Virginia

Margaret said...

I wish you and Rory the best of luck at the dog show -- hope he wins! Not fair that you already know who won on the TV dog show. We watch that every year while we cook. lol! Love all the exchanges and winnings and stuff. Beautiful! And Rory -- what a cutie! He's so good about wearing his outfits! I love it! Have a great Thanksgiving!

Deborah said...

I know what you mean about the holiday's. I have losy my Mom and my husband. You make the most out of what you have. Lovely exchange pieces and stash. I always love the pics of Rory. Good luck at the show.

Catherine said...

Lovely post! Wonderful stitchy goodies - I'm sure you will enjoy them all!

Loving the pics of Rory and his attire and your kitty looks very comfy!

Wishing you and Rory the best of luck this week and safe travels. May you have wonderful Thanksgiving and cherish those memories of your mother!

Diane Williams said...

Happy Thanksgiving Kathy and Rory! I must say. . . . Rory looks so funny in his costume but he doesn't seem to mind!

Meari said...

Happy Thanksgiving to you too, Kathy. Rory is a hoot with those braids. LOL!

Nice stitchy packages you received. Girl, you made out well :) Enjoy.

Ranae said...

Nice packages you have received.
Good Luck at the show and have fun
Rory is just too cute, looks like he's ready for a pow wow
Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Pauline said...

Such lovely exchange gifts and giveaway wins! Thanks for sharing your memories of how you celebrate Thanksgiving, so much cooking and preparation seems to go on. And then everyone does all the cooking and preparation again for Christmas!

Hope you and Rory succeed in the show- sounds like maybe a new tradition for you to spend Thanksgiving without your mum?

Once again, Rory deserves a medal, or maybe a sainthood for having something decorating him!

Emily in NC said...

Thanks for sharing you memories, they were sweet. Rory always looks so put upon when he is made to wear hats and stuff, still cute though. Exchanges and prizes are nice. Oh good luck in the dog show as well.

crossstitchbibs said...

Happy Thanksgiving to you and Rory!!! He looks so cute as an Indian!! Good luck at the dog show and congratulations on the stitching wins!!

Carol said...

I hope you and Rory enjoy the dog show, Kathy--he looks so cute all dressed up for Thanksgiving! The braids are the perfect touch :)

Thanks for sharing your memories of previous Thanksgivings with us--can't imagine having 35 guests! The most I ever had was 29 and this year we are down to 23--thank goodness!

Happy Thanksgiving to you...

Lisa V said...

Great post! Enjoyed checking out your winnings and gifts from others. Have fun at the shows.
LISA V

Vicky said...

Wonderful post and love the pictures of Rory, good luck at the dog shows.

Joy said...

You took some adorable pics of Rory!! Chloe would be too busy trying to get out of it...she is nosey! Great wins & exchanges pieces...congrats on all!

Veronica said...

Happy Thanksgiving! Good luck for the dog show. Rory looks soooooooo adorable.

Vicky L said...

I hope you have fun at the dog show and bring home some blue ribbons. I never have time to watch the parade or dog show. I am always in the kitchen, lol. I cant even imagine what Thursday will bring to me since Mom's funeral was on Monday. At least I will be busy in the morning.
I hope you and Rory have a happy Thanksgiving!

Cindy's Stitching said...

Good luck at the show. Holidays are hard when family members have moved on to eternity. I am glad you and Rory are doing something different and it will keep you busy. You have won a great package from BeckySC. Your. exchanges are so pretty. Have a blessed thanksgiving.

Sunshine said...

Good Luck at the Dog Show. Have a Great time! Rory looks adorable as always. Thanks for sharing.

Carolyn NC said...

Sounds like a blast to me - enjoy your holiday! Love all the gifts and exchanges - wonderful stitching! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Charlene ♥ NC said...

Oh, Rory should try out for the Braves... Wishing you both the best for the show, and Happy Thanksgiving!

Daffycat said...

Rory takes the best photos and I love his dress-ups!

I was so pleased to see Rosie today! You know, you could buy her a crate of her own and she'd NEVER use it. Cats like to do their own thing, don't they?

Maggie O said...

Best wishes to you and your boy at the show and a very Happy Thanksgiving...whatever that en...tails. It is all good!!

Sherry said...

New traditions can be good. This is my second holiday season without my Dad and it is still hard. I hope you and Rory had a special day together. He is such a silly boy and I can tell he fills your heart.

Jennifer Ann Fox said...

Kathy,
I'm late into reading blogs, probably by now you are on your way home....hopefully with good news about the shows.

I do know how holidays have to be changed up a bit and this year ours will be at christmas quite a bit different but still good in it's own way.

Rory looks so cute in his pilgrim outfit. I think you should put a pic of Rory in the frame and hang it on the tree.

Jennifer

Siobhán said...

Beautiful exchange pieces! I hope you had a good Thanksgiving and that Rory did well at the shows. :)

Kathy said...

Wonderful exchange pieces! I hope Rory did well at the shows. I love him in his Native American headpiece with his horse!