Home for the Holidays

COVID-19 is making itself a disastrous nuisance throughout the country as doctors and local officals plead with citizens to shelter in place during this holiday season. I guess the song, “Home for the Holidays” is very appropriate this year. Since many of us are stuck at home with no place to go, I thought I’d inject a bit of humor into this unusual Thanksgiving.  

“What we’re really talking about is a wonderful day set aside on the fourth Thursday of November when no one diets. I mean, why else would they call it Thanksgiving?” ~Erma Bombeck

“Thanksgiving—when the people who are the most thankful are the ones who didn’t have to cook.” ~Melanie White

“There’s always something to be thankful for on Thanksgiving. Even if it’s just not being a turkey.” ~Unkown

My good friend, Amelia Bedelia, gave me some tips on how to dress a turkey. She’s such a character!

“May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey be plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!”

~Anonymous

However you celebrate this Thanksgiving, I wish you happiness. Be safe, be thankful, and hope the COVID-19 vaccine comes soon.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings. – William Arthur Ward

May this Thanksgiving bring joy and happiness to you and all those you love!

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

May this Thanksgiving be filled with joy for you and all those you love!

 

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

On this Thanksgiving Day and throughout the year, may we embrace the ideals of compassion, tolerance, and kindness, and be thankful for the love of family and friends.

Wishing everyone a day of warmth and happiness!

Happy Thanksgiving!

“Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good.” Maya Angelou, Celebrations: Rituals of Peace and Prayer

Give Thanks

On this Thanksgiving Day, may we embrace the ideals of compassion, tolerance, and kindness, and be thankful for the love of family and friends.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Happy Thanksgiving

I wish everyone a wonderful and happy Thanksgiving!

Bag It This Thanksgiving!

I love Thanksgiving! It’s a time for family, friends, and tasty food. So let the good times roll.

But if you’re the one stuck in the kitchen while everyone else is gathered around the television watching football, the good times may not roll. So BAG IT! That’s right. It’s the perfect solution to take the stress out of hosting a Thanksgiving dinner and give you time to enjoy the good times with the rest of the crew.

Here is my new and improved menu for a stress-free Thanksgiving dinner.

Appetizers

Cheese cubes in a bag – open and serve with a variety of crackers from a bag in a box

Ready-to-eat shrimp in a bag – open and serve when defrosted

Popcorn in a bag – open and serve to those rowdy football fans

Dinner

Turkey – Stuff with stuffing from a bag.

Directions:  Place turkey in a bag. Roast the bagged turkey in a disposable container until golden brown. No basting needed. The magic bag does it all.

Side Dishes

Gravy in a bag found in the cavity of the turkey

Mashed Potatoes in a bag

Fancy-cut green beans in a bag

Directions:  Open and heat

Dessert

Pumpkin and oatmeal-craisin cookies in a bag

Directions:  Open and eat

Tableware:

Disposable plates, cups, napkins, and silverware all found in a bag

Adult Beverage

Wine in a bag found in a box.

Directions:  Pour yourself a glass or two and let the good times roll as you’re unbagging your Thanksgiving dinner!

I’m stuffed!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Picture Book Month: A-CHOO!

Stand back! I’m going to sneeze! Those children of mine – those cute little kiddos who sit on the library rug every Tuesday – gave me a special gift for Thanksgiving. Cold germs! So on Thanksgiving Day I wasn’t at the top of my game. There was no clever repartee from this girl, and my appetite just wasn’t there for all that yummy food. Oh, pshaw!

Seeing the expressions on family faces as I was about to sneeze was priceless. It brought back fond memories of a book that was a family favorite. “Stand Back,” Said The Elephant, “I’m Going To Sneeze!” *

The original version, as seen above, was published in 1971. This entertaining book was written by Patricia Thomas and illustrated by Wallace Tripp. The rhyming text flows easily, and humor abounds as the water buffalo, monkeys, parrot, bees, bear, crocodile, and a bevy of other animals politely ask the elephant not to sneeze. As the animals run for cover to escape the aftermath of the sneeze, a little gray mouse scares the elephant — eek — and stops the sneeze. When the elephant realizes the mouse doesn’t want to hurt him, the pachyderm has a shivering, shaking, quivering, quaking laugh that causes chaos among the animals. Tripp’s illustrations, done in black and white with shades of yellow and green, provide humor for everyone.

This past Tuesday my sneezes were animated and real as I shared this classic story with my students. This book is nothing to sneeze at!

*This is the 1990 full-color version of the book.

Picture Book Month: Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing everyone a bountiful Thanksgiving!

And don’t forget to thank Sarah Hale, the woman who saved Thanksgiving.

Thank You, Sarah The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving was written by Laurie Halse Anderson and illustrated by Matt Faulkner.

This book is a wonderful nonfiction addition to Thanksgiving stories. Laurie Halse Anderson cleverly tells the story of Sarah Hale, a superhero, who set out to right the wrongs in our society and make Thanksgiving a national holiday. Anderson reveals how Sarah Hale wrote thousands of letters to politicians and presidents, trying to convince them to make Thanksgiving a day everyone in America celebrated together. It took her thirty-eight years, and, finally, President Abraham Lincoln agreed! Anderson’s story and Matt Faulkner’s humorous illustrations beg readers to keep turning the pages. Anderson has also included “A Feast of Facts” at the end of the story which is filled with a bounty of information. This book gives readers a lot to be thankful for!

Happy Thanksgiving!