Monday, November 23, 2009

Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving is by far my favorite holiday. I love the fact that the entire day is dedicated to eating, relaxing and spending quality with those we love. It is also a time to reflect on the many things we are thankful for.

The thing I am most thankful for is these two little turkeys :)



They are the sweetest, smartest and funniest little people I know (but I'm a little biased). They fill my life with so much love everyday.

I am thankful for my husband, who works so hard for our little family and is always there offering support and encouraging me. I am thankful for family and friends, both far and near.

And lastly, for all those who read this blog and take the time to leave me a comment or send an email. I love hearing from everyone and have learned so much about cooking and baking in just these last few months. Thank you, thank you.

This year, like last, we will be celebrating Thanksgiving with our family in NJ and I won't be doing any of the cooking. My 3 SIL's have this covered :) So, since I knew I wouldn't be buying any food for my family this Thanksgiving, I decided to buy food for another family through Our Daily Bread. ODB is a volunteer-based organization focused on easing the plight of low income residents in Fairfax county, VA.

During the holidays, they have an "adopt a family" program, in which you provide a needy family with a basket of food. The organization places you with a family based on your criteria. I said I was interested in helping a family with small children and/or a family with special needs child/children. The family I was matched up with is a single mom with three kids (an 11yr old, 3yr old and 7 month old).

This is the basket I made for them.



It included:
Gift card (to buy a turkey or anything else they might need), potatoes, sweet potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, gravy, crackers, butter spread, apple pie, whipped cream, assortment of fruit,aluminum roasting pan and Thanksgiving plates and napkins. I put everything in a sturdy, re-usable laundry basket.

Since there are small children I also included the following:
Apple juice, variety of baby food, Goldfish, Cherrios, mac n'cheese, and oatmeal cookies.

I'm really glad I did this and hope to make it a tradition.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!

4 comments:

  1. What a wonderful thing to do!

    And your kiddos are TOO CUTE! Hope you and your family have a great Turkey Day!

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  2. Thanks Kelly :)
    I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving also.

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  3. Laundry basket!!! What a wonderful idea!! We've adopted a family for Christmas and I've been mulling over ideas.

    So generous and thoughtful of you, Maria ... just adding to the list of reasons I consider you one of my heroes :) (heroines, hee hee)

    Anyway, please have a safe trip and a Happy Thanksgiving!

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  4. Vanessa-
    You are so sweet...I am VERY thankful for my special mom friends (and coffee buddies) :)
    Hope you all have a great Thanksgiving too!

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