thankful...a week late

Thanksgiving this year was different than it normally is. Richard and I spent the holiday away from family, as he had to work on both Thursday and Friday. Working then meant we could be home over the weekend for the Clemson-South Carolina game, but we sure missed our annual traditions and being with family! Thankfully our dear friends Amy and Jon invited us to join their families for Thanksgiving dinner in Bethesda. We have gotten to know both families well through their wedding festivities, so we were thrilled to join them for the holiday.

We started our festivities off by seeing the Signature Theatre's production of Dreamgirls. It was so good...but I kept hoping Beyonce or Jennifer Hudson would appear on stage!

on Signature's steps

Richard has spent past Thanksgiving mornings running in Spartanburg's Turkey Trot, so we signed up to participate in the Turkey Chase our local YMCA puts on. It was HUGE. Definitely a couple thousand runners participating in the 10K and the 2 miler. We opted for just the 2 miles, but I was proud of us for getting up and going though.

ready for the start

and we're off!

the turkey, who looked a lot the Virginia Tech Hokie

another turkey

Thanksgiving dinner with the Gray, Dickens and Sharp families was beautiful. Amy's sister Ashley hosted everyone, and her place settings and center pieces were just perfect. Amy got to use her fine china too, which is pictured below. The only thing I regret about the dinner is not going back for seconds! 

love Amy's salad plates and the handmade place cards by her niece Hadley

Jon's mom making her way around the buffet

delicious pies for dessert

my Derby pie, using an fabulous recipe borrowed from one Sweet Reba- I also made a caramel pecan pie from Southern Living that was rich but incredible, if I do say so myself

thankful for these dear friends

In addition to friends who look out for us and are always gracious and inclusive, I'm thankful for the health of my family, a job I enjoy, having my Army husband home and not treating wounded warriors overseas, all the men and women who are serving away from their families and loved ones, and a faithful God who has seen us through a year that's not been the easiest.

"Give thanks is all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18