I am thrilled to announce that tomorrow is November 1! Halloween will finally be out of the way. It is my least favorite holiday, but I make the best of it by offering God’s love to everyone who comes to my door. Frightening movie commercials will finally be off the air so I can watch a television program without turning the volume down and turning my head. And most importantly, my favorite holidays are just around the corner.

My Mom will once again join us for Thanksgiving and for several weeks after that. My son is coming home for Thanksgiving. A gal who is like a daughter to me will also be gracing our table for Thanksgiving. Not to mention my local family who will be at the table.

Around that time, Christmas trees will start popping up in my home. Christmas décor will fill the house before the week is over. And my festive mood will soar in anticipation of Christmas with three grandchildren!

Thanksgiving has been a special holiday for me. As I was growing up, our family lived many miles and several states away from the rest of our family. But when we were able to join them for Thanksgiving, it was a blessed occasion. Aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, great-grant parents, great aunts and uncles, distant cousins and friends would fill each of my grandparent’s homes.

And the food was always delicious. Some of my favorites were pheasant, chicken and dumplings, cranberry sauce, corn, green beans, and of course turkey and ham. The dessert room would be filled with pumpkin pies, pecan pies and apple fried pies.

There was always laughter. Children playing. Sharing of stories. Photographs snapped. And lots of fun.

I miss these grand gatherings. It’s so special when I can gather at my table with my family and friends. That’s one reason I love Thanksgiving.

I believe another reason I love Thanksgiving is because we have the opportunity to thank God for all that He’s done for us. Yes, it should occur often, even daily. But with this special day set aside specifically to show our gratitude to the One who has offered us abundant life, why wouldn’t we be overflowing with thanksgiving?

King David loved to thank God for all of his blessings. Psalm 95 is one such writing.

“Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.

“Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.

“For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods.

“In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him.

“The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.

“Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;

“For he is or God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.”

Psalm 95:1-7 (NIV)

There is much to be thankful for. I pray that as you go through the month of November that you will recall all the blessings you’ve received from God and that you will stop and thank Him for His blessed gifts.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna

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P.S. – If you’re interested in a delicious pumpkin recipe, try the one below. It’s so yummy!

Aunt Trina’s Holiday Pumpkin Crunch (Pauladeen.com)

Cake:

1 (15 oz.) can fresh pumpkin

1 (12 oz.) can evaporated milk

1 teaspoon cinnamon (I use pumpkin spice)

1 cup sugar

3 eggs, beaten

1 box yellow cake mix

1 cup chopped pecans

2 sticks butter, cut into pieces

Frosting:

1 (8 oz.) package softened cream cheese

1 cup heavy whipping cream

½ cup powdered sugar

½ teaspoon cinnamon (I use pumpkin spice)

Directions:

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together pumpkin, evaporated milk, cinnamon and sugar until well combined. Add eggs and mix well.

Pour mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish, prepared with a non-stick spray. Sprinkle cake mix evenly over entire top. Sprinkle nuts over cake mix and top with butter pieces. Bake at 350° for 50-60 minutes. Set aside to cool.

Prepare frosting while cake is cooling. In a large mixing bowl, using a hand mixer, whip cream cheese until light. Add in whipping cream and continue to whip until fully combined and thickening. Add powdered sugar and cinnamon and whip until smooth.

There are directions “to serve,” but I think we know how to eat this!