Happy Turkey Day!

It's that time of year again. Happy Thanksgiving!! I cannot wait to see my family, eat all the good food and maybe have a drink or two. I am most thankful for growth this year. I have been able to see my emotional growth this year. I am better than I was last year. I am thankful for family and friends. Thankful that they get me and understood my intense need for space these last two years. I am thankful for life, for waking up this morning. Thankful that I am still here and have the chance to get things right. I am thankful for clarity. Today, I am most thankful for love. A year ago, I would not have said that. But, love is still a beautiful thing. I have no issue seeing it but I'm not actively seeking it out. I am thankful for the possibility of all that will come next in my life. I am thankful for the ability to visit memory lane but not get stuck there. I am thankful for the ability to write about it all. Today will be an amazing day because I said so. Happy Turkey Day, people!!

Give Thanks

• My family. Wouldn't trade them for all the money in the world. 
• My health. Aside from allergies, I am almost always healthy.
• A roof over my head, a soft place to sleep, the warmth of central air/heat. 
• Conversations with the kids (nieces and nephews). I love seeing the world from their perspective. So much wisdom from such tiny souls. Plus they give the best hugs this Teedy has ever received.

• These dope chocolate boots that I will be rocking today. I LOVE them. They are a fave. 
• My writing ability. It is my gift. I couldn't be happier that I get to share it with the world. 
• The Thanksgiving day meal I prepared and the family time that I am craving today. 

• Reciprocity in my life from those I love and trust. I dig that they give me what I need. 
• The arts. Good music and literature and art makes my soul happy. 
• And, finally, the promise of tomorrow. Another day to try to get this thing called life right. 

So Thankful

Today and everyday I am thankful for life. For waking up every day to try to get this thing called life right. Thankful for family...the good, the bad and the indifferent. Thankful for the ability to love and be loved. Thankful for the brown skin that I am in. Thankful that God gave his only son for my sins. Thankful for the talent that I possess. I am just grateful for all the things that have been bestowed upon me. I am not just aware of these things on Thanksgiving but every day. Every day is a gift. My gift. I hope that I am not taking any of them in vain or for granted. I know that I can do better, much better in some areas. I am in a constant state of growing. Ever thankful. Every day. Hope that you guys are as well. Happy Turkey Day!

Adventures In Cooking: Thanksgiving

Holiday dinners are always a big deal. I haven't been that big on participating in the cooking aspect of it. I'm always good for desserts though. A cake or two and definitely my double chocolate icebox pie are a must. So, this year, I decided to do something different. I decided to try my hand at a few dishes.

I stuffed bell peppers for the first time. I cut my peppers in half and cleaned them out. I then dropped them into a pot of boiling water for about ten minutes. While they were boiling, I worked on my actual stuffing. I browned a pack of ground beef and a pack of sage in a skillet. Once it was all brown, I drained the meat. Next, I sautéed my shrimps. I mixed all of the meat and shrimp together with some bread crumbs. After removing the bell peppers, I let them dry and commenced to stuffing them. I added some more bread crumbs on top of the peppers. Then, into the oven they went for about 20 minutes. They were done. They were great. They were gone before I could snap any pics!

I also cooked baked mac and cheese. But it wasn't my first time. I have that recipe down. They came out moist and cheesy and good. I also cooked candied yams as well. These items are staples though. My turkey day was a success. That made me very happy. I wonder what I will take on next. I'm open to new items. More cooking is coming! Hope everyones Thanksgiving was awesome.

Thankful!

* For life. I woke up today. That is a gift in itself. Thank God.

* For family. Good, bad, or indifferent, they hold me down. They have my back. They praise me when I'm right. They tell me when I'm dead wrong. And, they love me unconditionally.

* For friends. These are the people who choose to love me. They laugh with me. They call me on my bs. They clown me whenever they feel that need to. They listen when I just need to talk. And I love them for this.

* For my Heart. I thought that there was a part of me that wasn't lovable. I convinced myself that it wasn't a viable option anymore. And then, I was proven wrong. Dead wrong. The ability to love and be loved is a gift that I cherish.

* For my Love. Finding him was like finding another part of me. I didn't know what I was looking for until I met him. We just click. It's still amazing to me.

* For Health. I think I take it for granted. But I'm so thankful for it.

* For Growth. Lord knows I've done a lot of that. And, I still have much further to go.

* For my Gift. This blog helps me use my gift. Writing is my thing. I'm so grateful for this outlet.

Happy Thanksgiving to you!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Thanksgiving can mean a lot of different things to people. To me, it's always about family and being thankful for what I have. So, I make sure to remain mindful that no matter what is going on with me, there is someone who has it worse. This Thanksgiving, I am thankful for my family and friends and the love of them all. That's what's real and what matters the most to me. Be thankful people! Enjoy your families and Thanksgiving!