What are YOU Thankful For?

Thanksgiving Jigsaw Puzzle
OK. So What if it is a week later??? I hope you each hold something dear to your hearts with undying gratitude.

So, here's my short list:

• My family. What a blessing it is to have a husband who adores me (love is blind!) and grown children that still willingly and affectionately call me mom.
  
• My extraordinary good health . . . in spite of the little annoyances.
  
• My JoyBell Ringers. In fact, all of those sweet, eager, little faces that call me "Miss Charlotte." Today Rachel brought a loaf of bread that she made for me. As I left rehearsal today, they called out, "Bye, Miss Charlotte, I love you." Love you, too.
  
• Debbie Rice and the Rejoice Ringers. I thank my lucky stars that I get to be part of such a dedicated, professional ensemble and sit at the feet (so to speak) of one of the few, truly great masters of the art of handbell ringing every week.
  
• The bottomless well of inspiration, information, and encouragement for my little photography business that I have through the Pictage community.
  
• That God looked past my sins and filthy rags to extend to even me, the gift of eternal life through His Son, Jesus Christ.
  

Of course, there is so much more, but as I said, this is my short list!

Here's a little glimpse of the McPherson Thanksgiving celebration:

Your Turn. Write a comment and tell me what you are thankful for!

The MOM Overture

Here is something just for all the moms out there, or anybody who has a mother, or anybody else who has ever said or heard the words, "Because I said so!"

I spent a sweet couple of hours today with my firstborn before she crosses back over the big pond. She flew from the nest at age 15 (school at the NC School of the Arts) which means she got short-changed hearing these life-changing words of wisdom for only half of her life. The ones I hope she remembers the mosts are "I Love You." "I'm the MOM!"
Pictures at an Exhibition Jigsaw Puzzle

Noyes Drive

The Red Carpet Jigsaw Puzzle

This is Thanksgiving day on Uncle Jimmy's street in Silver Spring Maryland. These pictures were snapped in a flurry (a passing cold front had stirred up quite a stiff wind) during a brief escape from the feast preparations. We were just stunned by how much color was there when we arrived there. Their fall was so much more impressive than ours this year! Click here to see the last days of fall go out in a blaze of glory! Last Day of Fall on Uncle Jimmy's Street

The LONG Ride Home

Monumental Agape Jigsaw Puzzle
Our trip home today as documented by Agape:

BLEH!!!!!!!!!!!

Where It All Began

Yup! That would be me, nearly 30 years and 30 pounds ago. That baby is my Baroque violinist.

Dancing Up a Storm in Floyd

At long last, I have created a slideshow of pictures at the Contra Dance in Floyd last week. This is SOOOO much fun! Just look at all the smiling faces! Contra Dancing in Floyd

On a less than happy note, Please say a little prayer for Debbie Rice and me tomorrow night as I have to inform her that I dislocated a finger yesterday, and we are less than 2 weeks away from our first concert of the Christmas season. Mercifully, good ol' Dr. David was there and successfully yanked it back into its joint less than 60 seconds after it happened.

Ramping Up for the Holidays

Pet Me! Jigsaw Puzzle
I was supposed to be in Richmond this weekend shooting on a project for the Handbell Guild, but the job was cancelled at the last minute, so I received the gift of time instead. This year is McPherson Thanksgiving so we are going to spend the holiday with David's brother, Jimmy, in DC. I took a giant step out of character (always doing things at the last minute) and actually launched into the cooking and preparations yesterday. I wouldn't want to get too far ahead, though; I'll need something to keep me up until 4 in the morning on Wednesday night, Right?

So, here's a little documentary from our quiet day at home:

Cranberry Chutney: As tasty as it is pretty!
And here is how you make it:


Holy Batmobile, Robin!! The cracker house village is already under construction!!
Dr. Mac with his cat and Mac (sporting his latest in techno-geek wear: a brand new bluetooth ear thingy.)
CatNap and MacNap:

Our kiddy-widdies are such a big part of our day . . .
I love Mata Hari's big, rosy pink ears, a nod to her Siamese heritage.


How about those McMuffin whiskers!