A CANADIAN THANKSGIVING 2016

Every year Canadians from coast to coast celebrate Thanksgiving- the second Monday in October. It is a harvest celebration although churches do have services of Thanksgiving. The first celebration started with Frobisher in 1578 who was grateful he returned safely from journey searching for the Northwest passage. Then Champlain and his "Order of Good Cheer" in 1604 in Halifax sharing a feast with some First Nations people there.
By 1879, thanksgiving was held but at different times. Then after World War One, it occurred with Armistice Day in November. But our real stat holiday was in January 31 1957 when the Canadian Parliament proclaimed it to be a day of honouring our thanks to God and would occur the 2nd Monday of every October.
Harvest home! The celebration actually connects with the European roots of celebrating the harvest. Celts apparently celebrated a harvest festival over 2000 years ago. Quite fitting that many modern Canadians can claim some Celtic lineage!
Besides being a day off work, it is a fun weekend of outdoor and indoor activities. Some close up their cottages, some go to a farm to pick up a pumpkin and other vegetables but mostly a feast of a meal.
Turkey with all the trimming- turkey stuffed with a bread stuffing, cranberries made into a sauce, mashed potatoes and gravy, squash, sweet potato, mushrooms, broccoli, peas, brussel sprouts  and to satisfy the guys some Italian sausage. Dessert with a pumpkin pie and whipping cream, apple pie and vanilla ice cream and some pumpkin shaped cookies for the kids. Your choice of beverage.

Some of my favourite memories are watching my mother cook the dinner with the excitement that other family would be coming. My Uncle Norman, Auntie Lynn and cousin Pam were usually the family coming. My mother would make turnips too along with frozen corn and peas. We do not eat turnip now. If out somewhere I would eat it.

At school we would make Thanksgiving decorations. However, pilgrims were included which had nothing to do with the Canadian Thanksgiving. Only in America and that's in November.

Church altars would include a cornucopia of items. Celebrating the harvest. Celebrating for all that we can be grateful.

#gratefulforthanksgiving#cranberries#thanksgivingdinner#canadianthanksgiving#thereisahistoryforaCanadianThanksgiving

THE FOODS OF A CANADIAN FALL

Fall brings the last harvest of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Eggplant.

Cranberries go with turkey or amazing in many baked goods.

A field of pumpkins of all sizes.

Onions crated in the Holland Marsh ready for market. The smell of onions was pungent.

Red peppers- sweet for roasting, pickling or lovely in a veggie platter with dip.

Concord grapes and fresh cauliflower.

Brussel Spouts cooked and ready for eating.

Can you name the variety of squash available? Goes back to our First Nations' roots. They introduced us to the mighty squash!

Still can find some corn!

Fresh parsley and sage along with the red onion!

More pumpkins!

Farms loaded with vegetables for good eating.

The sunflower gives us some wonderful seeds to eat plain or with salt.

Apples and more apples of all varieties everywhere.

Fresh garlic picked and good for months to come.

Eggs at the supermarket or from the farm.

Oh I could go on if I could find more pictures. Where is there one of the Potato- all the varieties. Potatoes can be made into so many Canadian dishes. Hum, maybe another post! Then I only included fruit and vegetables. The meat dishes are plentiful too! Of course this weekend with the turkey and all the trimmings! Canadians eat well! So come and join us!

#canadianfallfoods#fresheggsfromthefarm#garlic#apples#eggplants#squash#parsleyandsage#lotsofgoodcanadianfood#let'seatcanadian

IT'S MOM'S MONEY-SHE CAN SPEND IT

Some adult children worry about their aging parents spending their inheritance. As care needs change and there is money in the bank, it can be used on those needs. Even before a parent ages there could be some sibling rivalry about a parent giving a sum of money to one child in need. Well it is very clear. It is the parents' money to spend how they want. Of course as long there is no financial abuse occurring. The parents earned the money. It is theirs to spend. Of course, many people do want to leave something to children and grandchildren. In most situations it is very clear and straight forward. There is no abuse or rivalry. I have had some conversations lately with acquaintances where this was occurring. One child was upset the parent gave some assistance to another child. Well folks, it's Mom's money- she can spend it like she wants!

NANA SAYS TEACH CHILDREN ABOUT THE THANKS IN THANKSGIVING

Thanksgiving is about the harvest home. The Fall abundance of food and living. Letting children know by role modeling how to thank life for all that we have. Food, clothing and shelter. So a simple grace at the festive table. Asking each person what they think is important to them. Thanking others. Thank you is a huge phrase in English that should be used often and with meaning. Little children can learn its meaning as soon as they learn to talk. Adults of all ages have the responsibility to teach it by being thankful. What better time! Thanksgiving! A wonderful opportunity to be thankful!

OCTOBER-PREPARING FOR THE FALL

With Thanksgiving fast approaching, the house and grounds need a cleanup. Summer months let us relax so the corners acquire some clutter. Feels good to go around a home and just keep cleaning and decluttering. Items to the curb next week, some to the recycling depot and some organized to sell as collectibles. Some of my earlier stuff is now vintage! The first room organized is the dining room where the Thanksgiving feast will occur. Like other women, by the time we all sit down, everything will look so good that it seems like a piece of cake- no real effort. But a well planned event takes some work and organization. So when you all head out to homes that host the feast, remember to thank the host and hostess. It is more than just a meal. The home needed hours of preparation. Besides the special event is for special people like you!

DON'T FENCE ME IN!

Fences are so meaningful. They create nice neat boundaries. Keeps our neighbours at bay! Allow for personal space.

They are everywhere. Different shapes and sizes.

Old barn board fences are still prevalent in Ontario.

Field stones make an interesting fence around an Anglican Church.

A city street lined with a fence.

A Fall walk is coming. Time to swish through the leaves as the trees discard their foliage!

#fences#don'tfencemein#fenceshelpwithboundaries#beautifulfenceshelpwithneighbourhoods#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

OVER THINKING

Do you every over think a situation? You sweat and worry and analyze. Over thinking can cause many restless and worrisome nights! Why do we over think a problem or situation or issue? It can be unnecessary concern. All the over thinking will not change a situation. If it involves another person not present, the way to stop over thinking is to realize that person does not give a rat's ass about you!