As many recover from Thanksgiving feasts, here are a few thoughts on the subject:
Let us remember that, as much has been given us, much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips, and shows itself in deeds. ~Theodore Roosevelt
Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare. They are consumed in twelve minutes. Half-times take twelve minutes. This is not coincidence. ~Erma Bombeck
As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy
Thanks to everyone who took some time to help those less fortunate on this holiday that is meant for each and every one of us.
Let’s take a minute to be thankful too for enterprising and creative teachers such as Victoria Leon who inspired this terrific poster. Click on it to enlarge and enjoy! You can also check out Victoria’s blog, Teacher Park, by clicking here! These are the kind of teachers we love to see!
I’m in the States at the moment and surrounded by all things Christmas even though it is just the day after Thanksgiving here. Traditionally, I’ve learned through the years, Thanksgiving is the kick-off for the “holidays” in this country whether it is Hanukkah or Christmas and I have certainly noticed this to be true.
For some reason, I have a mental block about thinking in the holiday mode until the calendar moves into December. So even though that means just one more day, I’m going to wait until Sunday to get festivities under way here.
HOWEVER, when I do kick it into gear, I have some exciting items to share. One will be the name of the winner of the Santon giveaway that was posted in my newsletter and the other will be a fabulous free ebook about Christmas in France that will be available to everyone. I can’t wait to give you the link to that!
In the meantime I want to offer warmest wishes, Chag Shameach, to all those celebrating Hanukkah (also spelled Chanukah), the 8-day Jewish festival of lights celebrating religious freedom. This is certainly a special, and early, date this year as the first candle on the Menorah was lit the evening before and the first day of the holiday is on Thanksgiving Day. We’re told this precise coinciding won’t happen for another 70,000 years, so enjoy what will surely be special celebrations!
How did you celebrate this week … and do you have your Christmas decorations up? I know one of our daughters has her tree and decorations all in place … and she doesn’t even live in the States!
See you on December 1 for my first festive posting! If it’s Friday, it must be France will return next week.
But tomorrow, a day before you’re ready for the Christmas mood, you’ll be on my blog sharing your thoughts on Christmas. That was my scheduling – not yours. Sorry we’re a day early. http://annelisplace.wordpress.com
Ooops – well I will just have to get myself geared up a day early! Not much of a hardship and thanks for inviting me over to join in the fun with you and the others, Anneli!
TodayI saw lots of cars with trees attached. Tis the season…mine begins Sunday with our annual cousins dinner. Let the holidays begin. Cheers!
Toni
An annual cousins dinner sounds wonderful! I love to hear of family connections being nurtured!
Ah yes. One of the things I love about France is that Christmas doesn’t kick in until well into December. There’s almost no evidence of its imminent arrival, and I’ll enjoy it so much more when it does come because of that. It sounds as if you had a joyous Thanksgiving. I hope so.
I love Victoria’s poster, by the way.
Do you have any Christmas markets near you, Margaret? The one in Nice opened last night … right in what was our front yard, Place Massena! It’s quite spectacular!
I agree, Victoria’s poster is delightful and I can just picture her creating that with her students adding their ideas. Quelle joie!
There are a few village ones which are nice outlets for local artists. Toulouse is increasingly disppointing – very commercialised (well, of course it is, it’s there to sell, durrr…) with lots of stuff any old department store would sell you
Good for you for waiting until December. I think that’s how it’s supposed to be, but our world has gotten too commercial.
I did get my tree yesterday, but only because my hubby has to work the next 3 weekends and we always go together. He’s putting the lights on this afternoon and I’ll be putting on the ornaments Sunday. It is officially December today so we’re still good.
Happy December!
Patricia Rickrode
w/a Jansen Schmidt
Hehe. Well yes, there are always exceptions and a hubby’s assistance is a definite must! Happy December to you too! Anneli pushed me into starting early!
Happy Holidays! Here in NYC we see Christmad decorations up around beginning of November as all the stores skip Thanksgiving nowadays!
YIKES!
I, too, am waiting until December to start my Christmas posting. I choose not to participate in the shopping craze surrounding the Thanksgiving holiday. Instead, I spent the weekend with hubby and some friends. My half-sister is getting married tomorrow, but unfortunately tickets to Vegas at this time of year are astronomical so I won’t be able to afford it. I’ve been keeping in touch via text & my other sister will be there to represent us as her familial support. 🙂
Congratulations on a family wedding. Another reason to be thankful! Maybe you can Skype or FaceTime with the happy couple! I am so in agreement with you about avoiding the Thanksgiving shopping frenzy!
p.s. Kitt! Congrats on winning the coffee jackpot on Phil’s site! Woohoo!
Thanks, Patricia!
I would have waited until today to begin the run-up to Christmas, but I have a man who wanders through the house muttering things like, “I guess she’s going to be to busy to give me a proper Christmas this years, girls.” (Yes. He talks to the dogs)
To avoid having to listen to him natter on (and, disrupt my writing, dagnabbit!), I chose to get the tree(s) up and the house decorated early.
All done. Now, I can get back to my Golden Heart focus. I may wrap some empty boxes and place them under the tree so he thinks I’ve been busy shopping. Yes. Wrapped present passive-aggressive dog chatter is next up on his list.
Season Greatings, Chrisnakkah will be celebrated at my son Adam’s in Brantford on Boxing Day, will remember you and yours kindly