GRAPPY HATITUDE DAY

how many ways can you say

THANKSGIVING?

 the GRATEFUL groendyke family

had an invite

to the ellis family home.

we GRACIOUSLY accepted.

our assignment ,

the appetizers

(THANK goodness)

our kitchen was busy...

but not stressed

we prepared

a cheesy looking turkey

made of a cheeseball

crackers and fruit

chilled shrimp

grape tomatoes

sweet pickles

savory meatballs

muddy buddy snack mix

the ellis home
was decorated
perfect for the season of THANKS

noah REJOICED at the sight of
BOYS and TOYS

the scent of homemade rolls
roasted turkey
and marshmallow topped yams
cascaded through the home

we APPRECIATED 
the hugs,
the visits,
the beautiful prayer,
offered by uncle mike
everyone's efforts
and filled tummies
from the vast buffet of food

jodi had made gorgeous autumn pies
carly came with a clever
hair bow
that she had crafted
but we missed

grandma garff
she took a topple the other day
and sported a magnificent
shiner
that would be the envy of boxers
that fight for a living

aunt linda
had a gigantic get well card
for all to sign
THANK YOU for the thought

certainly we were BLESSED
to be surrounded by
good people,
our family

we felt deep GRATITUDE
for our freedoms
to have food to eat
and the warmth of shelter

we felt APPRECIATION
for testimonies of the gospel
and the love felt
from and for our
Savior, Jesus Christ
PRAISED be his
Holy Name

GRAPPY HATTITUDE

THANKSGIVING SENT TO MISSIONARIES

i love having MISSIONARIES.

i love sending care packages,

especially for the holidays.

it bothers me when i forget.

it bothers me when i remember

 i forgot !

and so the zombie witch

sent an “AIRHEAD”  treat in 

with the “THANKFUL ME” mailer

i put a TURKEY sticker on jerky

and called it the

 “THANKSGIVING BIRD”

i put a CARMEL POPCORN treat

in the shape of corn on the COB

and called it the  “VEGETABLE”

i put a felt PUMPKIN sticker on a sucker

and called it “PUMPKIN DESSERT”

i put a PLACE CARD

where a list of “THANKFULS”

could be written and called it “BLESSED”

and a “HAPPY THANKFUL” card

with my heartfelt wishes

finally,

a DISNEY CHRISTMAS 

ADVENT

CALENDAR

celebrating their love for

disneyland, christmas, and the magic kingdom(s)

i placed the packages on the counter

i wrote the contents and cost of the package

at about $7.00

“I forgot the jesus stickers”

it was confirmed 

jesus stickers are the protocol

i thought, i’ll run next door to smiths

with all the christmas decorations

cards, tags, wrapping paper,

surely

there would be something.

i could not find anything jesus.

i went up and down aisles

i checked the religious secton

how can this be

the reason for the season

and he is no where to be found

no nativity that i could see

and that is another post

jenn is in honduras

i had been informed by my sis

that if you put jesus stickers over

the seal,

the package will be left alone

i was amazed

that a jesus sticker would protect

the contents of the package

and yet i am not.

jesus is my protector

and when i have him

sealed in my heart

and stuck on my countenance,

i too feel that

added measure of protection.

(dialogue)

“and what is the total?”

“do you want it to arrive in time for

THANKSGIVING?”

“that would be nice...”

“okay we can do that for one seventy three.”

“it is only $1.73?”

“no. $173”

“i think not given that the contents are under $10.00

and i do not have jesus stickers to assure 

my package will even make it into jenn's hands...”

he smiled.

i smiled.

i must be more efficient with the

christmas packages.

DINNER AT THE LION HOUSE

i love the
LION HOUSE
tradition

where the season of 

gratitude

is bridged

to the season

of giving

this is our chance to celebrate 

a lovely evening

with the matriarch of the family

maxine rice garff
and the world's greatest parents
ray and joanne

to host

 another festive event

christmas name cards

a delectable dinner
tuxedo cake dessert
with my favorite
chocolate frosting

in a historical home of pioneers past

a musical selection by michael bodine
a few favorite christmas carols to ring in
the christmas season
clara with the jingle bell

spoken sentiments

tears of joy

and a generous gift

attached to a
beautiful testimony

from grandma garff

all left with hugs and kisses
to view the spectacular lights of temple square

oh what a night!!

joy
pure joy

THANKSGIVING DAY

grateful for the beautiful blue sky
comforts of shelter

a warm place to enjoy

wonderful company

traditions at the heart
of the gratitude holiday
the macy's parade
the football...
and then the 

preparation begins

first the turkey

 

 the gathering of furniture and dishes
from a variety of rooms

for our group of twenty-four

setting the dining table
with name cards

and a festive centerpiece
created and designed
by maddie

 a porcelain pumpkin
filled with a godiva chocolate
for each guest
with everyone assembling their specialty
pickeled cucumbers and onions

a beautiful pear salad

the favored pretzel jello salad
smooth mashed potatoes and gravy
the infamous green bean casserole
seasoned dressing
candied yams
soft, warm, buttered rolls

sparkling cider and cranberry beverages

crimson cranberries

and two tender turkeys
when the turkey is done

and carefully carved
the guests will come

 there will be a welcome
a blessing of
THANKSGIVING
a toast to 
grandma and grandpa
for
bringing this event
into fruition
and finally the feasting

hours of planning
cooking and baking
swallowed up in moments of time
the men gather for the football games

helena had baked four
amazingly beautiful and fanciful pies

one pralene
two pumpkin
and one banana cream

feasting on palatable food
feasting on fabulous conversation
feasting on exciting football
feasting on an array of delcious pies
feasting on family love
and

feasting on gratitude
THANK YOU ALL

THANKSGIVING EVE

with so much to be grateful for

where does one begin?

just maybe a

THANKSGIVING

wish

would be appropriate

may your day be full of

family

fun

food

friends

and

football

(you have to keep the men happy)

over the river 

and through the woods

of
THANKSGIVINGS
past

to a

family gathered in park city
for a pre-celebration

at the jupiter bowl
pizza, pool, bowling,

with
the marrieds
jordan and liz
madeline and andrew

the bodines

the harts

the groendykes

the grandparents

highlights

watching noah knock down

a split

and a strike without the bumpers

plus the near miss

rick's coaching from behind

and madeline's turkey
on her last frame
of the last game
(which saved us from a
spam 
THANKSGIVING
dinner
as threatened by pete)

lowlights

rich and camille's family 

would not be joining us
and da vinci would be in the kennel
they will be missed

so grateful
for an evening of fun

over the river
and through the woods
to marriott
 summit watch we go