“You are my sunshine —
—– my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are grey —
A song that my dad used to sing to us.
I miss that —
I miss him — especially at Thanksgiving.
We usually spend Thanksgiving at my sister’s house — in the Sunshine State.
Surrounded by family and extended family of 50 or more —
—– and an occasional person(s) who has no where to go for a Thanksgiving meal.
If we had Thanksgiving at my home..
—– it would be at this table.
With the 5 of us..
No..the 6 of us..
—– As we cannot forget my “sweetie’s” pine cone turkey she made as a pre-schooler.
The one that is out all year..as it makes me smile..as she was so proud of it..and gave it to me.
So maybe, for our “little immediate family” — Mr. Pine Cone Turkey is a little tradition.
And of course to always “Give Thanks” for our many blessings.
I had napkins monogrammed in a simply stated way..
—– As I want to use these throughout the year..to “Give Thanks” everyday.
At my sister’s home — we would not be sitting at just one table.
—– There would be many patio tables with umbrellas ..
———- all around the pool/patio area..for enough seating for 50 or more.
There would be a simple centerpiece..
No Waterford candlesticks or glasses..
—– Just sturdy paper plates.
As the wonderful food that is served (my sister is a gourmet cook)..
—– Tastes just as good, if not better on “Chinet”
The food is served from large buffet warmers..yes, she has many of them!
—– And after the blessing .. we all cannot wait to enjoy the magnificent food..
———- that has been lovingly prepared by the family.
Thanksgiving was my Dad’s favorite holiday.
He said it was a time for family to give thanks for our many blessings, especially of family.
My dad would always say .. “if I won the Lotto, the first thing I would do ..
—– is to have a table made so all of us could sit together at one table at Thanksgiving..
———- or any dinner for that matter” .. That would be a really BIG table.
A table where there is always laughter .. much about reminiscing of the past ..
—– the many stories of us 5 siblings.
During the time when we are all preparing to place the main course out in the buffet warmers..
—– we are all munching on appetizers..
———-And participating in the traditional “Turkey Shoot”
Yes, we have a turkey shoot — Well we shoot at a large target with a turkey paper plate set in the middle.
My dad was competitive and always wanted to win — I remembered the day my sister beat him.
He was not a happy camper .. but usually it is my brother that wins.
My sister always has trophies made for the winners of the Turkey Shoot..
—– and when my dad passed away, the trophies have my dad’s name on them..
———-the “Memorial Turkey Shoot”
My dad always looked forward to that Turkey Shoot every year.
As I am enjoying my dinner with family and extended family and friends..
—– I get a little “weepy” as I look around and notice the missing family members..
———- that have passed on .. I miss all of them terribly .. but I know they are with us.
My little sister got married a year after my dad passed away..
She decided to get married on Thanksgiving Day.
A day she knew that was so special to my dad.
They got married in my sister’s back yard — among the many tables — of our family and friends.
It was a bittersweet day.
After the “main course”.. we all pitch in to clean up ..
And prepare to bring out the many wonderful desserts..
—– but between dinner and dessert .. we bring out the football.
And the game of rag tag football begins.
Weather permitting..there are also short plane rides..
—– My sister and her hubby live on acreage with a private landing strip.
After football and plane rides — we gather together again.
To eat dessert and lots of laughter.
My mom’s birthday usually falls a couple of days after Thanksgiving…
This year is a very special birthday .. she will be 88 years young (she can runs circles around us)
In the Japanese culture, your 88th birthday is monumental as it means “Double Infinity” 88
So I shall end this post with one of the many things I am thankful for..
—– Memories of Family.
May you all have a blessed Thanksgiving making memories that you will treasure forever.
Today is Day 5 .. the last day of this fabulous series of “Thankful at Home”…
I will be among these wonderful bloggers today .. hop on over to see them!
And if you missed the prior days .. here is the list of Day One through Five..
There is so much inspiration …
I am joining:
Cuisine Kathleen for Let’s Dish
Ivy and Elephants for What’s It Wednesday
Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays
Shirley, love your thanksgiving story. What a wonderful post. It brought back memories for me of my own parents, who are no longer with us…So warm and heartfelt…thank you! Family is definitely the most important part of any holiday.
As always your table is just gorgeous and so well done. I always look forward to seeing what you do with anything that you do, as it is always such an inspiration to me… Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family.
Wow, so much eye candy! Lovely, Shirley, but I think the pine cone turkey is my favorite part. 🙂
xo Heidi
It’s all just beautiful, but I am swooning over your plates. They are just the perfect artwork to complete the table.
I loved this post. The pics were fabulous and I loved the Be Thankful cards. Memories are wonderful.
Thank you for sharing your family traditions and your sweet memories.
I especially miss my daddy on Thanksgiving, too. I will be a bit weepy, too.
That was so nicely put. Thanksgiving is a tough one for our family because my dad passed the night of a Thanksgiving 1991. Our next Thanksgiving was the hardest. We have a group anywhere from 15 to 20 which seems big but compared to 50 we’re small! I love the turkey shoot tradition! Your table looks lovely and I love your story about the pine one turkey! Your napkins are pretty- that’s something we all need to remember to do “give thanks”. Cheers to a loving Thanksgiving!
Beautiful table, Shirley! I love your centerpiece! The napkins are so pretty and I like that you could use them all year long, not just at Thanksgiving.
Shirley- Yes-everything is beautifully presented here and looks lovely but the most beautiful thing of all is the words between the pictures. Tears are rolling down my cheeks (and I hope my husband doesn’t come down the stairs and catch me bawling) because I share your exact sentiments. God bless you AND your Mom this special Thanksgiving- xo Diana ps. I miss my Dad, too, especially at Thanksgiving-it was also his favorite holiday!
Shirley, this is such a heart felt post! I miss my mom so much! She made our holidays so special! As you know, I am blessed to still have my 94 year old dad! He’s such a special man! Thank you for such a precious reminder of the meaning of Thanksgiving! I have made many a pine cone turkey when I taught Kindergarten! Your table looks stunning and so inviting! Thanks for sharing your wonderful memories!
STUNNING my friend!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE that gorgeous centerpiece!
Happy Birthday to your mom:)
Shirley, I am sitting here reading your wonderful memories, traditions and family Thanksgiving this and that and tears are streaming! What a beautiful post… filled with such love. And filled with a heart overflowing with thing to be thankful for!
You made my day,dear friend!
Beautiful table… beautiful post… beautiful you!
Oh Shirley,
All your photos are gorgeous but your story is beautiful and gave my heart strings a tug. What wonderful memories. Thankful indeed!
Hugs, Cecilia
Such a beautiful post! Thank You!
Patty
Absolutely wonderful post. Love the beautiful pix and hearing about your Thanksgiving traditions. Our family also shoots targets after our Thanksgiving dinner. Is that a southern thing?
Wonderful post with beautiful sentiment, Shirley. Thanksgiving is definitely a time for us to be thankful for all of our many blessings, especially family and extended family. That’s what it’s all about…memories, traditions old and new, spending time with those we love the most. Oh, and some good food and football to top it all off! Your Thanksgiving table is lovely, and the centerpiece is gorgeous.
I loved reading about your Thanksgiving tradition and memories. I bet that turkey shoot is something to behold. You dad was a very smart man!
Such a precious and loving post. I hope this Thanksgiving is just as perfect and special as all the rest and Happy Birthday to your mom. Hugs, Marty
Oh Shirley, what a beautiful story to share with us. You are truly blessed to have such a wonderful family. Sounds like a terrific Thanksgiving with your family.
Your tablescape is very very lovely. Love the turkey that your granddaughter made.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving dear sweet Shirley.
Mary
Shirley, I LOVE your table! I would suggest bring home leftovers and eating them around your stunning table. That little turkey pine cone your daughter made is so sweet! I would keep it out year around too! Thank you for sharing everything! ~Jeanette
Everything looks so beautiful…..I would love to come to dinner at your house! The festivities at your sister’s house sound like so much too though :o) It was fun hearing about all the memories of time spent with your family. Have a great weekend!!!
~Des
Shirley…I never wanted your post to end. Loved every word & picture in it. Another thing this tour has brought me, and I am thankful for, is new blogs to savor & new blogging friends to get to know better. I hope our paths cross again soon.
amen
Shirley, What a beautiful post! What a fantastic tradition your family has. You are truly blessed!!
And, I feel blessed that you agreed to be part of this tour! It has been such a wonderful week reading all of these wonderful stories and seeing everyone’s beautiful pictures. Thank you so much!
Happy Thanksgiving!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this post, and learning about your family traditions. What wonderful memories you have shared. I like the idea of double infinity very much.
I can’t wait for Thanksgiving and the Beiju 88 celebration. This is a wonderful story of big family traditions. We are so lucky, this year and every year. Thanks for writing about it so beautifully.
What a pretty and heartfelt/sweet post. Happy Thanksgiving and may God bless and keep you safe as you travel.
I love your display. LOVE the plates with the birds, etc. Where did you get the printables. I also love your embroidered napkins and pillow…So loved your pine cone turkey you kept for so long..
Shirley, as usual your home is warm and cozy and beautifully reflects your
friendly, charming personality. What wonderful memories to keep forever of
your family and especially your Dad. Double infinity for your Mom is quite an
accomplishment and I wish her many blessings. Thank you for your sharing with
all of us!
Shirley you out did yourself on this one. So gorgeous and I would love to be a part of your families festive Thanksgiving!! 50 people, WOW and your mom, 88 another WOW!!! Good health and happiness to her on her birthday!!! PINNED!!
Cynthia
Shirley,
What a wonderful post. I loved every word you wrote and every beautiful picture you added to your story. Lovely just lovely. Loved reading this. Thank you.
Kris
Oh my gosh, Shirley! This post is just…..beautiful! I loved your heartfelt sharing of your family’s traditions and how you added the photos to help tell the story. A sign of an excellent writer is when the reader’s emotions are moved, and your post certainly stirred my memories of past Thanksgivings. Well done, Shirley, and please tell your mother happy birthday from me!
Gorgeous centerpiece. It is such a blessing having family to enjoy the holidays with. Happy Birthday to your mom!!!
Blessings,
Cindy
Such a sweet post, Shirley. My dad has always loved Thanksgiving (and Christmas, too), so they were always a big deal at our house. Your tablescape is lovely, but I also love the table itself. Such pretty wood! I enjoyed reading about your family Thanksgiving traditions, and I hope your mom has an extra special birthday this year.
Have a great weekend.
Denise
What a gorgeous and oh so heart warming post. I know that your father will be at the table that you are at on Thanksgiving…no matter where you are…that is where he will be…I know that for fact because mine is always there with me too…sending hugs and warm wishes to you and your family and may all your days be filled with thanks and heavenly blessings…hugs…
What a wonderful heartfelt post Shirley! Whether you dine on chinet or beautiful china plates, it’s all about gathering together! Love your beautiful centerpiece and your harvest of silver, pumpkins and floral material! Wishing your mom a Happy Double Infinity Birthday 🙂
Beautiful words and Beautiful table! just a delightful post! A Happy thanksgiving to you and yours and very happy 88 to your Mom!
What a beautiful post, Shirley! Full of such lovely sentiments! I can feel the love of the traditions in your words. I can also imagine many lovely Thanksgiving meals being held around your table! It is absolutely gorgeous!
Beautiful post, Shirley. Your family sounds very special and close and your father sounds like he was a wonderful man! What beautiful memories you have! Enjoy your Thanksgiving!~~Angela
Enjoy time with your family – and wish you mom a very happy double infinity!
Kelly
Your table is beautiful! I remember singing that song myself when I was a very young girl. It has always brought back memories to me as well! Thanks for sharing!
So beautiful…and the pinecone turkey is my favorite part of all!
Thank you for sharing these beautiful family memories. Your table is gorgeous and the centerpiece is over the top fantastic!
What a lovely post…the tablescape is amazing!
Love your post… Also, a happy birthday to mom…
Oh Shirley, this post has touched my heart! What beautiful memories you have and just that is a blessing. I LOVED seeing the pictures of your beautiful Mother. Please tell her happy birthday from me, even though I don’t know her she has reached this milestone birthday. I wish so much we had 50 people to have at Thanksgiving. Our family is dwindling rapidly. It IS bittersweet to be together but remember those who are gone. However, this year we will have LOTS to be thankful for as our daughter and SIL are adopting a baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am over the moon excited!!!
Your table setting is EXQUISITE!!!!!!!!!! You have such BEAUTIFUL pieces and put it all together so beautifully. Have a blessed Thanksgiving my friend. XO, Pinky