I heart Thanksgiving. Everything about it.
The food. The family (with the exception that I’m not NEARLY close enough to my family, who live all the way down in Las Vegas). And the time. Just the simple fact of having five days off in a row to just spend in any way imaginable.
This year, my brother-in-law Jonathan had everyone pick a letter and list some of the things they were thankful for. My letter was "P". I wrote that I was thankful for: passionate people, popsicles, puppies that I do not own, and Prince.
This year, pretty much all the Zielske family members (and wives or husbands, or significant others) were able to be together for the meal. I love our kitchen gatherings to say grace, which is usually sung, and in a round. (Those Lutherans are just plain FUN, I tell ya!)
We even managed to get a shot of the four of us together. Now THAT is something to be thankful for. Sure, I’m a wee bit puffy and wearing the same vest I wear almost every single day, Cole is so pale he borders on transparent, Dan looks like he’s holding his breath and puffing his chest out in some threatening primate-like display, and Aidan looks like she’s trying to point out: Um, HELLO, like, don’t forget about me back here, like, all by myself now, dudes! But I will say this: these are the people I’m most thankful for.
Most thankful indeed.
Here’s to the start of the holiday season
rubberbandgirl says
Great family photo! Love it!
Lauren says
Comment #1? Wow! You don’t look puffy at all in this photo. It’s great of you!
jkhenson says
The photo looks great! And I love the letter/thankful list! Great idea! 🙂
Alis in Wnderlnd says
So, I love my in-laws, but every single holiday they just dive right into the food and I cannot get them to say grace or even mention what they are thankful for. Last year, I tried and my SIL rolled her eyes at me, then kept eating. This year, it happened again and my heart sank after spending the entire day in the kitchen by myself. I am so thankful that we have been talking about it with our toddlers in my immediate family.
I am TOTALLY going to try printing out an alphabet list and have all of them write down what they are thankful for so we can share it during grace and discuss it during dinner next year. Maybe it will be non-threatening?! Really, I can’t figure it out for this family or regular church attending adamant Lutherans???!!! I seriously need this idea, because clearly what I have tried isn’t working…THANK YOU!
HeatherC says
Here Here to the holidays! I just love Christmas and so excited that the season has officially started. Looks like you had a wonderful holiday — love the letter thankful idea — will have to remember that for next year!
Sarah says
LOVE the family photo! Don’t think you look puffy at all… and think your hair looks great!
You guys are just so photogenic.
Sharon F, Oakland, CA says
The list is creative that is for sure and singing grace – that is a good one. Love the photo and the elfyourself – what a hoot. Been playing with it all morning and sending good December 1 cheer to family members – what a better way to start a Monday than with a disco of your brothers and sisters as elfs?
thanks!
Sharon F.
Oakalnd, CA
robin says
wonderful photo cathy…beautiful family
Linda says
I love the picture, your family is beautiful!
JWinks says
Your family photo descriptions cracked me up.
It seems like you have the same sickness I have…to hell with how the rest of them look in the photo, *I* look fabulous! 😉
-Jody
karla says
what’s your fish’s name??
Houston says
Cheers to a wonderful holiday season! Hope it’s filled with family, friends, fun, food, and furry friends! I should totally choose F next year!
liz says
i think you all look fabulous…..and happy, which is the most important thing of all!….(and mommy looking good, of course!) 🙂
4streegrrl says
From what I’ve been reading on my American friends’ blogs, you guys down south sure do know how to celebrate Thanksgiving! We do our own celebrating in October, but I think the US has mastered the art of turkey day. 🙂
I like the idea of having an “I am thankful for…” list using the alphabet. I think it could be something I incorporate into my own T-day next year, or even Christmas this year. 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
Dawn Morgan says
Cathy,
That is a great photo. You all look HAPPY.
sarah says
“I love our kitchen gatherings to say grace, which is usually sung, and in a round. (Those Lutherans are just plain FUN, I tell ya!)”
Oh goodness! This made me laugh out loud (even before my coffee!)…I can SO relate. I was raised Lutheran and even went to a Lutheran parochial school (pre-school thru grade 8) and we often had to sing grace in rounds sometimes before eating lunch! true story.
Thanks for the giggle this morning! 🙂
jenn b says
it’s really a beautiful photo, Cathy!
Sharon says
The photo is great, esp you. You’re looking particularly good. The holiday was obviously very good for the soul and family as you all look so happy.
Sharon
Julie says
LOL…I love your picture AND the commentary! 😉
Marcie Levine says
What a wonderful start to my December, your description of your family photo (which is great by the way!) is hysterical. Love good laughs on a Monday morning!
Linda says
I think your family photo looks great. Thanks for sharing and Happy Holidays!!
Micki says
Cathy, I must say…I LOVE everything about you! (except that maybe your dog supports Obama…dogs know more than some people (me) I guess). Anyway, I don’t even know if you actually read these comments, but IF you do, just know that you warm my heart in so many different ways & so many different level; from your silly You Tube videos, to your personal honestly in your books (especially the sequel). I am thankful to be able to “know” you through your blog. So my friend, a toast to you…”Here’s to the start of the holiday season”
michelle says
love your family photo!
your blog is real & inspiring
i should have written to tell you years ago
i am a loyal reader – thanks for the honestly and encourag.
m
Gina says
That is a great family photo– all of you look awesome and happy!! Glad you had a great weekend.
Christine F. says
I am related to a large bunch of Minnesotan Lutherans…another fun bunch! 🙂 They are in North Branch, Bethel, St. Cloud…
Your family pic is great – I agree that you all just look happy. 🙂
Buffy fan says
Thanks giving is a terrific holiday–love the letter idea. I’ll have to do that next year. I’d also love to know what you sing–we do the Doxology “Praise God” but with different words. And I didn’t think you looked puffy either, but honestly, it’s Thanksgiving–everyone looks puffy.
Shelley Laming says
Okay, so I got to the family photo and was like “awwwwwwwwww…” I love it! (you look totally gorgeous, btw!) Then I read your description of each person and I was laughing out loud. I love you, Cathy Zielske! -Shell
kat-in-texas says
Love your ‘imperfect’ family photo! At least you have SOMETHING! (We don’t have one–seriously!) Love your kitchen too–it’s beautiful!
Heather H. says
Beautiful photo!
Jodee says
That list is a great idea! Love the photo of the 4 of you! You look great by the way!
Tricia Gray says
I had to laugh at your comment about those fun Lutherans!! I grew up as a good Lutheran Minnesota girl and I know EXACTLY what you mean!!! I’m glad you had a great Thanksgiving!
RachelG says
Your family is beautiful and really, I just thought Cole was a vampire! 😉
BethBG says
what a great family photo! I know from past reading that you have trouble getting a good one and now you did! XX’s
Bethany says
Love the family shot and the thanksgiving recap. And I totally get the Lutherans-singing-grace thing. When I was a kid and my dad’s whole family was together, we’d break out into 4+ harmony for the pre-meal doxology. (It was always entertaining to see the expressions when my older cousins’ boyfriends heard the crew sing grace for the first time.)
robin says
I loved seeing this post, especially since I saw the stuffing photo when it had the yellow cast. LOVE your design class, I am learning so much and you make it great fun!
Janie says
Looks like a lot of fun! I’m almost envious of big families! Wish I’d known some fun Lutherans growing up!
Angela says
Thank you for the tag templates and LOVE the family photo. Puffy never crossed my mind until you said something because I was admiring the great hairstyle. Your family is adorable…happy December!
steph says
as always- great fam pic!
you have a beautiful family my friend
happy holidays!!
slm
Margy Eastman says
I’m such a tardy blog-reader. Isn’t the afterglow of Thanksgiving great? Your family photo looks really nice. A decent family pic is just a treasure, isn’t it?
Jeannette P says
the tag book is very cool.
Love the pic of you & the family. So you could get a little nit-picky about a few things but really, it is a very nice photo of your family. Wish I had one. We forgot to try & get someone to take one of the 5 of us (we seldom get us all since someone has to be taking the pics right?) Glad you enjoyed your Thanksgiving.