Thanksgiving 2012

We took a road trip up to Tulsa to be with my family for Thanksgiving.

There is so much to be thankful for on a daily basis,

but it is especially nice to gather together on this special day

and give thanks to God

for His blessings and the abundance of all we enjoy every day.

 

The weather was beautiful for traveling - a bright, sunshiny day.

The Oklahoma hills still had trees wearing some fall color,

but I was saddened to see many areas of dead trees

and how low the rivers are due to the drought.

(I thought of all the love songs that have been sung

promising to love "until all the rivers run dry."

Really, not trying to be funny, that was my thought as we crossed over almost dry river beds.

The truth about the drought is that it is very serious.

CBS News reported that "When the Arkansas River bends south at Tulsa,

it stops running and starts limping.

From the air, you can plainly see the sandbars that have emerged.

The river is down 97 percent.")

(cbs news story)

 

What a great time we had together.

My brother read from Psalm 128.

 

"Blessed are all who fear the Lord,
    who walk in obedience to him.
You will eat the fruit of your labor;
   blessings and prosperity will be yours.
Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
    within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots
    around your table.
Yes, this will be the blessing
    for the man who fears the Lord.^"

 

This was an emotional reading for him, I know, as

both his sons are serving in the military and were

not able to be with us this Thanksgiving.

 

Susan outdid herself with a huge rib roast and all

the delicious side dishes of red cabbage and apples,

sweet potatoes, a lovely green bean dish,

an avocado and black bean salad,

tomatoes and mozzarella,

rolls, bread pudding, and a chocolate chip zucchini cake.

(Can you give me a "high-fiber"? ;-D)

(I had seconds on everything!!)

 

Over the week-end, we were all happy to relax and

visit, catching up and cheering on

our favorite football team.

We watched the movie, Act of Valor,

and on Friday went to see the new movie, Lincoln.

Both were great!

 

 

My brother Phil and his wife, Suz
The camera caught their dog Howie a little off guard.
His eyes aren't usually quite so bright!! ;-)
 

 

My dear sister Roberta with her husband, Don, and one of their
 lovely daughters, Robyn

 

My other niece, Jacque, was not able to be with us
(being one of those wonderful people who are
there for you if you decide to dine out for Thanksgiving).

 

Jay and I AFTER the meal.
Wish I had thought to take a pic of the beautiful table
and the spread that Susan had prepared.

Trudy was tired after the road trip
and playing with Howie

It was 24 degrees Saturday morning.
Too cold for me, but Howie and Trudy were treated to a
brisk walk in the neighborhood before we left for home.

Saying good-bye





A special treat was that my sister and her daughter Robyn

came to stay with us on Saturday night.

So we sort of left Tulsa behind and yet,

brought part of it home with us.

 

Hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving.