Cabin Thanksgiving

"Let's try to get together at the cabin before everyone gets busy with their other family holidays."  The emails began flying as we tried to plan to coordinate our schedules.  At least some of us would make it there, but we didn't really know who or how many, but we trusted that there would be food and family and lots of thanksgiving.  Isn't it great when it comes together beautifully without all the planning and assigning of food?  It is rare, but it happened this weekend.

The cabin is named "Dogwood Dell" because it is in the middle of a dell of beautiful dogwoods, oaks, pines, and redwoods.  My mother purchased the cabin 30 years ago as a place to gather her family, and get away from the distractions of our busy city lives.  We have loved convening here, and growing closer together.




The dishes are a collection of vintage dogwood patterns.

See the Dogwood fall colors outside the windows

Dogwood leaves around the turkey, gathered from the dell

1950's vintage Forest Dogwood Joni 
"The legend of Dogwood dates back to the Crucifixion.  Early lore likens the dogwood petals,
shaped like a cross, and stained with red, to the Cross of Calvary."

Vintage Homer Laughlin Debutante Dogwood

That's mom in the kitchen making gravy!

Alton Brown's Brine recipe is my go-to favorite

White bird napkin holders add to spontaneously put together centerpiece

Gift from my sister!  Love them.  Persimmons and acorns, oh my!

Simple nuts and acorns along the cabin runner

Asparagus and shrimp from my sister. Really?  You just threw this together?  Yum!

Heavenly Father, you have blessed us with much, family, food, home, and love.  During this season of Thanksgiving, we remember that for those of us who are so bountifully blessed, much is expected.  How can we share what we have with others?  This is a season where random acts of kindness, small and grand, are gifts to others, but always more so for those giving the gift.

May we give with selfish abandon so that we may receive the joys and blessings of our God. 


The Lord said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. ²"I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. ³I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."   
~ Genesis 12:1-3