Well, maybe it is. Everybody’s posting on how grateful they are for this and that, but I just had to jump on the bandwagon. I am up to my elbows in pottytraining my two-year-old. That’s rather early or a little late, depending on who you talk to. All I know is I was tired of fighting Adrian as I tried to change his diapers. And, I don’t know if this is a cloth diaper thing, but it just gets disgusting after a while. I mean, he’s two. He’s not an infant anymore. So I figured I might as well give it a try. What did I have to lose? If it didn’t click in a few days, I’d just put him back in diapers and try again when he’s a little older. Well, what I had to lose was a clothed little boy at my parents’ Thanksgiving table tomorrow. He’s doing so well running around half-naked that I don’t want to destroy what he’s learned so far. I think I will put some underwear on the kid, though.
I said all that to explain that writing time is at a premium even more than usual this week. So I’m posting on thankfulness partly because I am super grateful and partly because I’m lazy and couldn’t think of a better topic. What else could I possibly write about right now?
I guess there’s baking. Camilla helped me assemble my spectacular sweet potato casserole with pecan topping (I eschew marshmallows) today. It’s all set to pop into the oven. I also made an apple pie just for the heck of it. Exactly what we need to eat the day before Thanksgiving. Actually, I bought the apples a few weeks ago thinking that I couldn’t live through an autumn without making (and eating) my apple pie and this is the first chance we’ve had to actually do it. So, along with the rooster Todd slaughtered the other night, that should make for a tasty evening.
Oh yes, the rooster. We thought we had four hens. And then two of them started crowing. That explains why those two weren’t laying eggs. I am actually not entirely sure I will be able to eat much of Emily Emilio. I feel a tad bit nauseated just thinking about it, but I know that is just a product of the mass-market-food mentality I’ve always been part of. This is where food comes from, right? (Unless your a vegetarian, in which case I do apologize.) Chicken from the grocery store doesn’t bother me but isn’t it more natural to eat what you’ve grown on your own land? But that’s an entirely different post.
Or I could write about pottytraining and how I didn’t really want to let Adrian go bottomless, but people were telling me it was quicker. And it actually does seem to work, but now what do I do because he does have to wear pants this winter. But that’s probably another post, too.
So what am I thankful for? Sweet treats. Good eats. The smells of Autumn, including applesauce simmering on the stove. The burning steam from the canner as I check on the six (yes, only six) jars of applesauce I made from a whole bushel.
A husband who comes home from work early, cleans and winterizes the chicken coop and then sends me upstairs to write. And somehow manages to see me and love me after all these years of same old me.
Precious voices that scream out songs in jarring medleys. And ask me over and over to read or play games or just to listen. Voices which are currently asking me to come downstairs so we can eat aforementioned dinner and get on to the good stuff–apple pie and Mary Poppins.
I am thankful for the tears that run down my face as I compose this. My heart is full.
This is a wonderful post, Alison! Thanks for sharing. Also, I love that you cloth diaper, raise (and kill) chickens, and make your own applesauce and pies! I've never made a homemade pie but I'm determined to learn one day.
I want to hear about the potty training sometime. My son will be two in January and he definitely wants to learn. I'm just nervous and not entirely sure what to do.
Anyway, have a happy Thanksgiving with your family! 🙂
Thanks Jessica! I'm always glad to see your comments. 🙂 This post does make us sound rather countrified, doesn't it? The chickens are a recent project and I just started cloth diapering last December, but wish I started five years ago. Also, canning is a new thing and I'm not sure I'm hooked yet. All these ambitious undertakings sometimes contribute to making me crazy. I do like to bake and cook, though. That I will never give up!
My favorite potty training book is Diaper-Free before 3 by Jill Lekovic. I like her philosophy, but can't say I've followed it completely.
"Precious voices that scream out songs in jarring medleys…" Oh how I loved this line! This is a beautiful post. I love the picture of Todd & Camilla and I too love my husband who sees me and loves me after two years of ups and downs and not quite as much sameness as I would like (if that makes sense. ;0) I love you my sweet friend, and am thankful that you've been a part of my life for 17 years. :0) If you knew how long it just took me to mentally subtract 11 (the age I was when I met you) from 28 (my current age,) you would laugh out loud! :0P Happy Thanksgiving!
Ha ha! You're so cute, Mel. 17 years-wow! Thanks for all your encouraging words. We are both blessed to have great husbands. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
Thanks! I will definitely check out that book. You guys don't sound countrified but you do sound green! We're slowly moving in this direction although when I talk about chickens I can see my husband's eyes starting to glaze over. 🙂 Have a wonderful day with your family!
Jessica, it's been a slow process for us, too. We're not as green as a lot of people, but we make an effort in ways that makes sense for us, I guess.
Tim, thanks for the comment. Camilla loves the chickens–so does Adrian. Emily/Emilio was her special chicken and she does not know he's gone yet. (The rain and potty training have kept us mostly inside this week.) But she lost another Emily and just transferred the name, so I'm hoping it won't be too traumatic. The thing is, we're still waiting for eggs. They should be old enough now. Thinking of putting a decoy egg in the nesting box b/c I hear they're competitive. And I am glad to hear good health news for you!
Jessica
Posted at 21:41h, 23 NovemberThis is a wonderful post, Alison! Thanks for sharing. Also, I love that you cloth diaper, raise (and kill) chickens, and make your own applesauce and pies! I've never made a homemade pie but I'm determined to learn one day.
I want to hear about the potty training sometime. My son will be two in January and he definitely wants to learn. I'm just nervous and not entirely sure what to do.
Anyway, have a happy Thanksgiving with your family! 🙂
Alison
Posted at 22:32h, 23 NovemberThanks Jessica! I'm always glad to see your comments. 🙂 This post does make us sound rather countrified, doesn't it? The chickens are a recent project and I just started cloth diapering last December, but wish I started five years ago. Also, canning is a new thing and I'm not sure I'm hooked yet. All these ambitious undertakings sometimes contribute to making me crazy. I do like to bake and cook, though. That I will never give up!
My favorite potty training book is Diaper-Free before 3 by Jill Lekovic. I like her philosophy, but can't say I've followed it completely.
You have a wonderful Thanksgiving as well!
Melody Joy King
Posted at 03:19h, 24 November"Precious voices that scream out songs in jarring medleys…" Oh how I loved this line! This is a beautiful post. I love the picture of Todd & Camilla and I too love my husband who sees me and loves me after two years of ups and downs and not quite as much sameness as I would like (if that makes sense. ;0) I love you my sweet friend, and am thankful that you've been a part of my life for 17 years. :0) If you knew how long it just took me to mentally subtract 11 (the age I was when I met you) from 28 (my current age,) you would laugh out loud! :0P Happy Thanksgiving!
Alison
Posted at 08:37h, 24 NovemberHa ha! You're so cute, Mel. 17 years-wow! Thanks for all your encouraging words. We are both blessed to have great husbands. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
Jessica
Posted at 09:09h, 24 NovemberThanks! I will definitely check out that book. You guys don't sound countrified but you do sound green! We're slowly moving in this direction although when I talk about chickens I can see my husband's eyes starting to glaze over. 🙂 Have a wonderful day with your family!
Tim
Posted at 09:19h, 24 NovemberGreat post. What does Camilla think of the whole chicken process? Elizabeth loved ours (start to …a-hem…finish)
Tim
Alison
Posted at 13:10h, 24 NovemberJessica, it's been a slow process for us, too. We're not as green as a lot of people, but we make an effort in ways that makes sense for us, I guess.
Tim, thanks for the comment. Camilla loves the chickens–so does Adrian. Emily/Emilio was her special chicken and she does not know he's gone yet. (The rain and potty training have kept us mostly inside this week.) But she lost another Emily and just transferred the name, so I'm hoping it won't be too traumatic. The thing is, we're still waiting for eggs. They should be old enough now. Thinking of putting a decoy egg in the nesting box b/c I hear they're competitive. And I am glad to hear good health news for you!
Happy Thanksgiving everybody!
Angelina
Posted at 13:50h, 24 NovemberLove autumn kitchen smells…simmering applesauce is one of my favorites! And have I mentioned that I have chicken envy…someday…
Happy Thanksgiving!
Alison
Posted at 21:23h, 24 NovemberYou've mentioned the chicken envy. LOL! I may give you mine if they don't start laying soon.
Happy Thanksgiving to you, too!
Natalia Cool
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