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It's Thanksgiving in the U.S. on Thursday 22nd November, and I thought there was no better time to take a look at the things we are thankful for.
Personally, I am very thankful for my wonderful family, who recently treated my husband and I to an anniversary dinner, bed and breakfast. Our luxurious room overlooked the Pacific Ocean at the beautiful Opal Cove Resort, in Coffs Harbour on the sunny mid north coast of New South Wales. Come sun up I leapt out onto our lovely balcony and sat enraptured as the scene unfolded before my eyes. This very obliging sea gull in the photo above flew into view just as I was clicking, so it was more good luck than good management!
Thanksgiving is celebrated every fourth Thursday in November over in the United States. According to Wikipedia Thanksgiving Dinner centres usually around roast turkey, and traditionally contains food native to the New World, as it is said the Pilgrims received these foods from the Native Americans.
I understand that mashed potatoes are one of the main staples of the traditional Thanksgiving Dinner, and so I thought this was a great opportunity to share with you this scrummy recipe for very special mashed potatoes from one of our blogging friends, Dawn Yucuis from Words of Deliciousness.
Dawn writes " We eat a lot of potatoes in our house; it's one of our favorite side dishes. When I was growing up it was that way in my parent's home too......" And later...
"So if you are looking for something besides plain potatoes give this a try. They are nice and simple to make and the flavor will leave wanting more."
I think the title of the recipe is enough to whet your appetite, so I will simply suggest you hop over to Dawn's blog, check out her recipe, and I am sure you will be giving it a go! And while you are there, pause a while and soak up the aromas of delicious foods and simple but exciting recipes which Dawn showcases.
But wait.......there's more!!
I thought I'd share with you a few of my recent photos of things around me that I am liable to take for granted like the birds, the flowers, the trees and nature itself. It's good to stop sometimes, and remind yourself how lucky you are, and perhaps this is as good a time as any!
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| What do you think this Kookaburra is saying to his mate? |
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| Lewin's Honeyeater enjoying breakfast! |
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| Tea Tree blossoms |
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| Fiery gum leaves stand out from the crowd |
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| Red cedar tree in it's delicious Spring attire |
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| Jacaranda and Flame Tree are just made for each other. Sharing this photo with Mandarin Orange Monday. |
If you'd like to share something that you are thankful for, I would just love to hear about it! If not, that's OK, take a quiet moment and enjoy it yourself:) Bye for now and if you are in the US enjoy your Thanksgiving on Thursday!
Hello Jane,
ReplyDeleteThis is such an uplifting and gracious post. We all have so much to be thankful for . . . all we have to do is look around us.
Your photos are amazing. You capture the light in an awesome way and the colors are brilliant. When we are not looking around us, we can search inside to our heart and know that we are blessed with loved ones in the form of family and friends. Life is good. It is wonderful to see our Thanksgiving holiday spreading around the world. We are thankful in each day, but having a special day to honor the creator of all blessings is very special, indeed. I think in should become a world-wide holiday. I can not think of a better thing to celebrate.
Thank you for sharing . . . you're a special lady.
Your blogging sister, Connie :)
Dear Sweet Connie. You are the one who is special! As you so rightly say, "Life is good!" Let's enjoy a world wide holiday, where we look at the things, so many things, that we have in common:) Thank you for taking the time, as you always do, to make contact. This is how the world becomes smaller, and we understand each other. Bye for now and love Jane:)
DeleteYour photos are stunning- so much to be thankful for! I am thankful for the little tools in my life like a paintbrush or a pencil because they make art possible for me. Happy Mandarin Orange Monday!
ReplyDeleteHappy Mandarin Orange Monday to you too Carolyn! As you say, so much to be thankful for. Art is such a special way to connect and you do that so well. Thank you so much for dropping by. JaneX
DeleteHi Jane, thank you for the shout out, it is so kind of you. I am thankful for my wonderful family and my new granddaughter. Also I am thankful for all the bloggers I have met along the way. It is amazing to me how you meet people half a way around the world and become friends over the internet. Thanks again!! Dawn
ReplyDeleteNew Grand daughter? Now that is very exciting Dawn! We have one too...she is more than two years old, and a complete delight! And blogging friends, they are so lovely too, and as you say, it is so wonderful to make friends and feel so connected even though we are so far away:) What's on the menu tonight? I mightbe dropping by!
Deletebeautiful series! i love the birds having breakfast and the tea tree blossoms--they're exquisite.
ReplyDeletei have a lot to be thankful for...my family for sticking together through thick & thin, my circle of friends who give me encouragement and support; blogging friends who inspire me; and most of all, for everyday blessings.
enjoy!
Hi Luna Miranda! How lovely to receive your message:) I am glad you have enjoyed these photos, but it is even more special to hear about your appreciation of family and friends, and the blessings that life offers. Thank you so much for taking the time to leave your thoughts:)
DeleteIts nice to be free to comment on the internet.great photographs!
ReplyDeleteOh how right you two are, Chris and Angela. Aren't we lucky to be free to say what we feel, whenever we feel like it? We don't often take the time to look at the basic rights we have that many others don't. Thank you so much for highlighting this. Bye for now, Jane
Deleteenjoyed your post and what a beautiful gift to have time together in a special place like Opal Cove Resort. The photographs the jacaranda and flame trees are looking really special together aren't they just?
ReplyDeleteThanks Carole! We had such a lovely overnight visit, and it was good to take a bit of time out to appreciate what we have:)
DeleteThis is one of the reasons I love Twitter. To be able to read posts like yours that people take the time and trouble to write and share their world. I'm leaving France in a few days to spend my winter in Goa as I do every year. I am so thankful to be able to do this when so many of my Indian neighbours have nothing but the beautiful State where they were born. Many of them think we Europeans are millionaires but, when I look around at their beautiful land and their smiling faces, I am reminded who is the richest. Thank you Jane for a wonderful post and beautiful photos.
ReplyDeleteThanks twitter friend Jennifer! I look forward to hearing about your winter in Goa, and at the same time I hear what you are saying:)
DeleteYour photos are gorgeous. I've enjoyed your Thanksgiving post. I am very thankful for all that I have and the people in my life. I am blessed. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHello Edna, how great to hear from you and aren't the people in our lives special indeed? I have also enjoyed looking at the beautiful photos of birds that you have on your blog. Nature is pretty special!
DeleteWonderful photos!
ReplyDeleteMine are here and here.
Thanks so much Liz! Will check out yours too:)
DeleteA lovely post Jane...and you still managed to fit in potatoes too:))) Speaking of potatoes, and anniversaries, we had an anniversary dinner last night at a vegan restaurant,...and guess what I chose? Tofu and potato curry!
ReplyDeleteYou picture for MoM this week is magical. Love the colour and the editing. Thanks for being part of Mandarin Orange Monday:)
Thanks so much Lori! So glad you managed to fit in potatoes for your anniversary dinner. Hope it was as delicious as it sounds! It is lovely to be part of MoM and see so many inspiring and colourful photos and art.
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