Thanksmas, a new tradition

New home, new decorations.  New friends, new blessings.  New adventures, new traditions.

This Thanksgiving weekend was new for us.  Instead of piling into the car and driving to family, we went for a sunset hike, just the four of us. Instead of sitting around the table with familiar faces and dishes, we were welcomed by new friends at their table.  Instead of filling our holiday weekend busy catching up with family, we cozied up in our home preparing it for Christmas and relishing a rare four day weekend with no plans.  It was new, it was different, but it was wonderful. 

With a new and different plan this year, it was time for new traditions.  Missing the weekend of Thanksgiving leftovers, we decided to prepare a whole turkey feast, just for us.  On Sunday afternoon with the Christmas decorations adorning the house, we sat at our own little table with turkey, stuffing, wine herb gravy, mashed root vegetables, green (not bean) casserole, and cranberry waldorf salad.  We dressed up.  We set up the table by the tree and pulled out our silver and fancy dishes. We lit the advent wreathe, sang a song, said the blessing, and dug into our own little Thanksmas feast.  We felt thankful that night, thankful for this gift we have been given to draw closer as a family and appreciate the little things. The first candle on our advent wreathe reminded us we are preparing for the new.  Instead of missing the old, we cherished the new, the beginning of new traditions.