Pecked by Ducks

So here I am, 2:46 am, downloading the Garmin GPS map update I just bought. I know I am driving 16 hours to Maine tomorrow and that I need my sleep, but I just can’t turn off my head.

I’m packed, mostly organized (can’t find Max’s fire engine slippers) and hopefully ready to go. We are going to stop at Ikea for dinner. They have a play space where the kids can run around a bit, cheap, not fast food dinner, and many lovely things I must buy for all the nice people who will be giving us beds to sleep in on our travels.

I can’t wait to see my family. It looks like we will number in the high 20’s this year. I have an entire bag full of snow clothes and not a stitch for Quinn, he outgrew everything (now it’s all Max’s) so we will be stopping at LL Bean before we even arrive at my Aunt and Uncle’s house.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday other than bi-yearly family reunions (which don’t actually count as official US holidays, even if they should). My Aunt and Uncle’s house is wood heated and there is no computer much less internet. We split and stack wood for the season, we bake, cook, eat, visit, catch up, go to movies, walk on the beach, have whipped cream fights, play Scattegories, paint if needed or build shelves and chase the newest generation of children along with the snowflakes.

I am so lucky to have such a place to go were my heart feels warm, even if my feet are cold, and my aunt covers the fresh sage in her garden so it will survive until Thanksgiving for my mom’s stuffing recipe which I now make.

I will write more when I get back, but until then, I am hoping that however you spend your Thanksgiving, you are able to have at least one thankful moment. I know I will have many, and that I am very lucky.

Happy Thanksgiving!