Thankful Thursday ~ An Attitude of Gratitude



Created with Wordle.net ~ Thanks

Here is what we are whipping up this Thanksgiving. Our extended family won't all be together but we do have the family recipes to share. Wherever you are and whomever you are with today ~ Happy Thanksgiving and thanks for reading. So, what are you serving at your Thanksgiving Dinner?

Thanksgiving Table ~ 1962

2011 Thanksgiving Menu in Carver

Appetizers

Spicy Cashews, Warmed Mixed Olives & Sweet Potato Chips

Thanksgiving Cocktail ~  Poinsettias

Dinner

Ashley's 7 Layer Salad

Aunt Diane's Cherry Jello

Mario's Brined & Herb Roasted Turkey

Chuck's Garlic Mashed Potatoes & Gravy

Mom's Stuffing

Susan's Crescent Rolls

Kris' Sweet Potato Casserole

Green Bean Casserole

Dessert

Pumpkin Cheesecake Tartlets
  Caramel Apple Cranberry Torte

Coffee/Tea

Food for Thought Today

Question ~ Who was your favorite teacher and why?
Question - What are your family's Thanksgiving traditions?

Visit National Day of Listening

Tuesday's Tip ~ Be Grateful, Listen & Share

Digital Art by Simon Howden  - Thanks!

Thanksgiving is an opportunity to spend time with family and friends, to join together in making that perfect meal with old favorites and new experiments.  We make grocery lists, shop for ingredients, get out the nice linen and good china, set a beautiful table, and organize the meal from carving time backward.  It all comes together mid-afternoon and, at least in our household, something is always left in the oven (usually the rolls)!

Thanksgiving is a great holiday because it is all about sharing a meal and enjoying each other's company (whether you are seated at the "adults' table" or the "kids' table").  Thanksgiving would not be complete in our household without football games on television during the day and White Christmas on television in the evening.

This year, in addition to any traditions your family already enjoys, I would like to suggest three more:

• Express your gratitude to our military this Thanksgiving ~ both our active duty service personnel and their families who serve right along with them.  One percent of our population is shouldering the responsibility for the other ninety-nine percent of us who have not been directly affected by The Iraq War (2003-current) and the War in Afghanistan (2001-current) .  Let us express our gratitude to these hardworking families who provide us with the safety and security to live our lives not only with words but also with deeds.

• We all have people in our lives who have served as role models and for whom we are grateful.  This Thanksgiving ~ take some time to listen to and record the stories of your parents, aunts & uncles, and grandparents.  Friday, November 25th is StoryCorps third annual National Day of Listening ~ why not start early and express your gratitude to those people who have touched your life in a personal way.

• Share your material bounty with others this Thanksgiving ~ consider making an after Thanksgiving donation to your favorite charity or local food pantry.  The poverty level continues to increase (the US poverty rate rose to 15.1%, the highest since 1983 ~ that is about 46.2 million people).  It is important to remember we are all part of a community and we need to share our material bounty with others.

Check out these links to find out more about sharing your gratitude:

Joining Forces ~ Taking action to serve America's military families

National Military Family Association

KIVA ~ Empower people around the world with a $25 loan

Heifer International ~ Pass on the gift

National Alliance to End Homelessness

Feeding America ~ Food Bank locator

Big Brothers Big Sisters ~ Help a child reach his or her potential ~Start Something

(Be sure to investigate any charities you are considering and give/share wisely ~ Charity Watch rates over 500 charities and is a starting point for doing your homework in this regard.)

Food for Thought on Thanksgiving Day

Question ~ Who was your favorite teacher and why?

www.nationaldayoflistening.org

Motivation Monday ~ National Day of Listening

This Friday, November 25th, is StoryCorps National Day of Listening.  Please take a few moments to check out their website National Day of Listening and contact a teacher who has touched your life.  You can call, send a letter, post on Facebook, Google+, or your blog, or use other social media to get your message out.  If you are really industrious you can interview that teacher and share it with the rest of us on YouTube! 

There are so many avenues available and everything you might need (instructions, helpful websites, and tips) is available at their website.  Thanksgiving Day is just around the corner  ~ why not take a moment to remember and thank those teachers (past and present) who touched, improved, or perhaps changed your life. 

I am thankful for the great teachers I had from grade school through college ~ especially these fantastic five:

• Mrs. Jaffie ~ You were the first teacher I really connected with and because of you Great Expectations was an incredible reading experience.  
• Mr. Adams ~ You were the most amazing history teacher ever and made the past come alive for all your students!  You were singlehandedly responsible for my abiding love of history and learning.
• Mr. Paul Boring  ~ You made science fun and encouraged all your students to be good people.
• Mr. Glen Jackson ~ If everyone had the opportunity to take your course Rights & Responsibilities, we would have an amazingly bright and thoughtful citizenry.  You taught me the wisdom of always being prepared rather than playing Jackson roulette ~ something that has served me well in life. 
• Professor James Klonoski  ~  You taught the hardest courses, assigned the most reading, gave the toughest exams, and demanded the most work from your students.  You were a great lecturer and you put your ideals into practice by not only teaching but also doing in the political arena!  I took every course you taught and am a more discerning citizen  for the experience.

Hopefully today's post has motivated you (on Monday) to be thankful (on Thursday) and share your story of a teacher who touched your life with the rest of us either now or during the National Day of Listening (on Friday).

Cheers