Thanksgiving And A Long Distance Birthday

Thank you for all the kind comments on my last post concerning my dear mother-in-law Mum. Your prayers and words of support mean so much to all of us. Mum continues to rest and pray and is surrounded by loved ones. She is indeed very loved.

Thanksgiving has come and gone. Our turkey was delicious, and I feel the need to share that at the ripe old age of forty-seven, I have finally mastered the art of making gravy!! Also this past weekend, my first born child, Madison Marie, turned twenty! It was her first birthday away from home, and while we missed her very much, we were comforted by the fact that she had an absolutely wonderful birthday in Denmark. And...by the fact that we spoke to her about a hundred times that day. : )

We prepared for Thanksgiving on Wednesday by making Daddy a special craft to take into work and hang in his office.

And then we all watched a favorite movie, complete with all the appropriate snacks, of course. : )

Wednesday night we continued our tradition of making my Grandma Mildred's amazing pumpkin pies. I always ask Grandma to bake with us as I read from her handwritten recipe she gave me years ago.

Thanksgiving morning.

Cinnamon rolls and The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. : )

Our Thanksgiving table...

Every year since Madison was four years old, she has had a homemade blackberry pie for her birthday. And this year she did as well. I am so very thankful to Nicolas' mother Kirsten for making it happen. She messaged me and asked me for the recipe. And then she asked to Skype with me as she made it, and said it would be from me. She said she would be my hands. I could not think of anything more special and had a wonderful time visiting across the miles with this wonderful woman who has welcomed my Madison into her home and family.

She and her husband also had a special birthday dinner for Madison with their family! She made one of Madison's favorite meals...Pasta with Fresh Tomatoes. : )

On her actual birthday, Nicolas surprised her with a trip to Tivoli Gardens, Denmark's oldest and best known theme park. It opened in 1843!

It was all decorated for Christmas, and they had a magical time.

And so...my girl is twenty.

 Yesterday she was a giggling little baby, running around dragging her blankie and singing to Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.

Today she is a beautiful young woman, living her dream on the other side of the ocean.

Life is good.

Have a wonderful day, my friends.

Enjoy every moment.