Here we are with the final installment of Thankful Thursdays. I have so enjoyed writing these posts and reading everyone else’s posts, too. I think we should do this every year! And today, on Thanksgiving, I am thankful for food. My family has more than enough to eat and I am grateful that I have never known real hunger.

In particular, on this day of feasting, I am thankful for:

1. Turkey. It’s the star of the meal and while I love the white meat for a sandwich, when it comes to the Thanksgiving dinner itself, pass me the thigh.

2. Stuffing. Call it dressing, call it stuffing, call it whatever you want just please make mine with celery, onion, oysters, and lots and lots of Bell’s Seasoning.

3. Mashed potatoes and gravy. This combo rounds out any meal nicely but on Thanksgiving it’s the best part of the meal.

Of course there is also squash and turnip and cranberry sauce. And no Thanksgiving dinner is complete without the relish tray, stuffed dates and figs, and pie – my own contribution to the holiday meal.

Whatever your favorites, I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving!

We’ve covered the big stuf in the last 2 weeks of thankfulness posts. Family, job, home, pets. There’s still so much left to talk about, though!

This week I am thankful for:

1. My friends.  I certainly never thought I would make so many friends when I started this blog but that’s exactly what happened. And I have wonderful friends at work and at home, too. I have many and I am blessed.

2. My hobbies.  Knitting comes at the top of this list but I also love spinning and photography. I am thankful that I have the time and resources to devote to these hobbies.

3. The wonders of our modern world. Indoor plumbing and electricity. Email and iPods and cell phones. Aluminum foil and plastic wrap. Microwaves. All those little and not-so-little things that make my life better.

Expressing thanks for all these things makes me happy.

I have to say that I so enjoyed reading everyone’s Thankful Thursdays posts last week. Some were serious and some were funny and all were wonderful reminders of everything we have. I can’t wait to read what you all have to be thankful for again this week.

As for me, I am thankful for:

1. My job. I love being a librarian and a manager. I really love being “the boss” and the flexibility that comes with it.

2. My pets. Okay, mostly Mason. I love Dixie, of course, but I am a cat person through and through, and Mason is the cat of my heart.

3. My home. I have a roof over my head and a pretty low mortgage by today’s standards. While I don’t have closets or a second bathroom, my house is warm and cozy and Dale gives me the freedom to decorate it in any way that pleases me.

This thankfulness thing can really brighten your outlook. If you haven’t already, give it a try!

The other day I was reading Kate’s blog and she mentioned that, in the spirit of thankfulness, she would be posting 3 things she is thankful for each time she posts during the month of November. Her idea inspired me to start Thankful Thursdays - a weekly post about being thankful. I’ve invited some friends to join me so you may see these posts popping up a bit. I think it will help all of us remember that we have much for which to be thankful.

This week, and every day, really, I am thankful for:

1. My husband, Dale.  He loves me and supports me and tolerates my moods. He reads every blog post I write and admires every picture I take. He loves my hobbies and my friends and even my cat. I cannot imagine life without him.

2. My daughter, Hannah.  I love her fiercely and I’m grateful every day that I get to be her mom. She’s one special kid.

3. My stepchildren, Brant (and his wife, Heather), Jessica, Luke and also my stepgrandchildren Patrick and Ambrynn. It wasn’t easy blending our families but these kids accepted me because of the one thing we’ve always had in common: loving Dale. I never thought I’d have such a big, crazy, loving family but I do and I wouldn’t change it for the world.

I hope thinking about the things you are thankful for makes your day a little better.