The day after -- nostalgia and peace

 

 A fall bouquet at the window

Charcoal on bond paper

18 x 24 inches

Barbara Muir © 2010

(This is a sketch I did for a 

painting I'm thinking of doing.

Steven and I were at Todmorden

Mills, a historical site in Toronto,

examining the old houses there.

Steven was carrying a large bouquet

of fall flowers I'd bought, slung over

his shoulder.  I loved how this looked.)

Getting ready for a big family dinner is a huge

deal in our family.  We try to keep it light, but at
the same time there are so many details to remember
for even the simplest of occasions.  Yesterday
was our  Thanksgiving celebration dinner, and it
was fantastic.  We felt so lucky to have both our
whole family here, (Christopher and Megan, Sam
and his friend Nata) and to welcome friends
at the end of the night for dessert.  Steven's pumpkin
pies seemed even more delicious than they did in
anticipation.  And just before he popped the pies
out of the oven, he dashed out, picked the last of
the apples off our apple tree (there were some that
were late maturing), and made a good sized bowl
of incredibly fresh and delicious applesauce. Of course
there was turkey and stuffing, home made cranberry
jelly, roasted potatoes, salad.  And there are enough
left overs for quite a few days.

The great thing about holding the dinner the day
before the actual holiday, is that we were completely
free today.  After we'd dropped Sam off at the bus to
go back to university, we sat on the back porch eating
our lunch.  Then we took off for a walk with the dog,
and sat outside drinking decaf coffee in Forest Hill
village.  I love having my family together, and felt
a tug of sadness this morning realizing that we won't
all be together again for a while.  Yet I love having the
quiet, contemplative day too.  Both are wonderful --
I'm extremely thankful for my life.

Have a loving-your-family day.