Inspire: Gathering the Family

Define:family on Google brings up these definitions:

 They are all pretty cut, dried, and lacking what I think of when I think of family.  Well, except maybe for number 5…. 

I live in a duplex with my son (family #1).  I gather together with my parents, grandparents, and extended family (#2, 3, 4, 9, and sometimes 5… :)).  We call come from the same parents or grandparents, and we all share the same family history/mythology.  My aunts and uncle wouldn’t be here, and neither would I, if my grandfather hadn’t first seen my grandmother in the trunk of someone’s car driving down the street (As far as I know, there was no illegal activity going on, just a ride to the drive-in theatre). 

However, my family extends beyond the reaches of blood and history.  I consider my good friends family.  Sometimes, my friends know me better than my blood family.  A lot of my core values, the way I view the world, are completely different from my relatives but in line with my friends.  My kiddo tends to be a part of those friend relationships as well, and I’m quite happy to be raising him in an extended friend-family.

It doesn’t matter to me if those gathered around the dinner table are friends or relatives, they are all family.  And I am thankful for every wonderful face.

Inspire: A Gathering of Friends

I had a blast on Saturday.  Another friend of mine tied the knot.  While this time there was a DJ instead of a band, we still filled the floor and danced the night away.  I was disappointed they didn’t have the Time Warp, but we did do the Funky Chicken.  There was laughter and joy, the most important things at any gathering.

Last week, I had a great time at Creative Collision, the monthly get together of my local arts group, Ames C.art.  I wasn’t planning on going since I had a headache, but I’m quite happy I did.  We laughed, we shared, and we had great drinks.  I left feeling energized about the rest of the month – and I had an offer to borrow a sewing machine. 

Two weeks ago, I went roller skating for the first time in years.  My friend, my sister, and my kiddo all drove thirty miles outside of town to put on wheels and skate around a rink.  It reminded me so much of my hometown rink, now buried for years under the Super Walmart parking lot.  I was ecstatic that I remembered how to skate, and I loved watching my sister learn the ins and outs of a rink. 

I am beyond thankful for my friends.  They are my family, and they welcome me and mine without question.

Inspire: Community Gathering

One of the things I am thankful for is my community.  Dictionary.com defines Community as:

Community never has one definition for me.  Like those listed above, I have a local arts community, a religious community, a writing community, and a community of friends.  Each community is different and unique.  I am thankful that each community welcomes me and makes me feel a part of it. 

I recently attended my second Iowa Poetry Associationworkshop.  Poets gather together to hear two critics go over the poems they have sent in.  The critics give praise and constructive criticism on how to make the poem better.  No names are included and only you, and the organizer, know who belongs to which poem.  I know a couple of people in the group, but mostly these are all brand new people to me.  Both times, I have been welcomed and made to feel like I belonged.  For someone still dealing with severe shyness issues, that welcome made a world of difference.

While my local arts community, Ames C.art, is a lot of work, it is just as much fun.  Where else could I paint a mural one year and then create an art vending machine the next?  Getting together with other creative types helps keep me motivated and enthusiastic about my own ideas.

As I’ve been solitary for most of my life, it is a huge relief to have a community of people who share my religious beliefs.  The Pagan group I am in gives me the strength of knowing that, yes, other people do believe the same thing.  The UU helps me live by my ethics and morals, and gives me another voice that says I’m not alone. 

 

I don’t know how I managed before without my communities.

Mused: Family Cranberry Recipe

So... I said I would share this recipe with you.  I have to admit, it's not really a recipe.  And I haven't made it this year so I can't share a picture with you.  But this is one of my absolutely favorite parts of Thanksgiving. 

My great-grandmother used to make this recipe every year but unfortunately can no longer make it.  Fortunately, she is 93 and still kicking.  But she taught me how to make it and she taught some other family members, so we will continue to have cranberry sauce at Thanksgiving.  I've often wondered why I don't make it at other times, but I think it's just something about the holiday.

Keep in mind that this sounds disgusting, but it's actually really yummy.  And it's not really a sauce.

Cranberry Sauce:
2 cans whole cranberry sauce (you could use the jelly stuff, but I can't stand it)
1 container whip cream
1 sleeve crackers

1.  Mash up your crackers into crumbs.  You could buy cracker crumbs already mashed or bread crumbs, but make sure you add some salt to the bread crumbs.

2.  Layer your goods.  Put a layer of cranberries on the bottom of your dish.  I typically use a clear mixing bowl, but I've used tupperware as well.  On top of the cranberries, sprinkle enough cracker crumbs so that they cover the cranberries.  On top of the cracker crumbs, put down a layer of whip cream.  Repeat.

The thickness of the layers is up to you, but I do a little more whip cream than cranberries and it works out well. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Muse: A Thankful Thanksgiving

It's a week early, but I have a recipe to share with you on Friday and don't want you to miss it! 

Thanksgiving is always one of those stressful times of year around our house.  It's that close to the xmas season and there's loads of things to cook.  But this year my mom is hosting and is requesting for everyone to bring something.  Much better in my mind. 

Thanksgiving is a time of the gathering together of family and friends and giving thanks for what you have.  A lot of times, we forget that aspect of the holiday.  At least, I know I do.  But this next week I really want to slow down and take a look at just what I have accomplished instead of looking at what I have left to do.  Hopefully, when we gather together on Thanksgiving, it will be with a full heart that I thank the gods in my own way and enjoy time with my extended family.

One of my friends only seems to be excited about the sales the next day, wanting me to go out with her.  She hopes she gets to punch someone in order to get an item for cheap.  She's never done it, and I don't think she really would anyway, but that's my friend.  I have always stayed away from Black Friday.  Sure, there may be sales, but do I want to deal with the mass of humanity all focused on getting something cheap before anyone else?  Not really. 

I don't like people pressing in around me anyway and I really dislike mass commercialism. 

But I think that having such a 'me first' attitude the day after we give thanks for being with family and for what we have is wrong.  I feel like the feelings from Thanksgiving should last at least most of the holiday season, and they do, except for this black day where all rules seem to go out the window.  Ah well.  I can see the draw of it.  And some days I wish I could go out and get the deals without being squished or frozen.  But I'm always broke on Black Friday.  Maybe I will go with my friend to the place where they have layaway...

What are you doing for Thanksgiving?  If you don't meet up with family, do you go out with friends?  Do you only get excited for Black Friday?  What are you thankful for?