Thanksgiving Week

Hello!
Sorry to have not posted a menu this week - it's a shortened week at work and therefore (probably like you) I have to fit five days of work in to three. I did try a new tangerine chicken recipe on Monday night - and after squeezing 15 tangerines to get a cup of juice and zesting a few to get a tablespoon of tangerine rind - I am sad to say that it was wasted effort. Glad I didn't share the recipe. We went out to eat on Tuesday night - Asian food - and Wednesday night I am trying a new pork stew recipe that looks promising (and was easy - crock pot with potatoes, carrots, celery, ginger, garlic, bay leaves, diced tomatoes and a pork tenderloin)... if it turns out I'll be sharing the recipe.

You may be busy creating your own Thanksgiving masterpieces this week. I don't cook for Thanksgiving, as I LOVE to cook but do not love the pressure of a holiday meal. I am cheerfully contributing fruit salad, green salad, and roasted veggies. That's enough for no pressure.

On the topic of Thanksgiving, we have so very much to be thankful for. We live in a country that is rich, and we are also rich. Our worries are never "will we eat today" but "what do we want to eat today." Our problems are often just inconveniences - not problems at all. What we think is bad is typically just something that is bothersome - we can't get what we want - we're a bit uncomfortable - had to go out of our way to do something. How many people would GLADLY trade our "problems" for their problems?

This morning one of the men at my church did a charity coat event. I took over seven coats. He will be taking the coats to a church in east Plano where there are 1200 people waiting for the coats. (And the food bank.) Here, literally under my nose, are 1200 people that will wait in line for my old coat? For themselves and their children. What would I complain about? I still have two very nice coats hanging in the closet. And so do my kids.

Oh, we have so much to be thankful for.

One tradition we have at one of my in-law's homes at this time of year is to go around the table while we are eating and tell everyone what we are thankful for. This year, my turn may last until desert is served.

Stay Strong. Give Thanks.
Mecca