How did it get to be Thanksgiving week already? Holy cow time is flying by so fast and after an incredibly busy week I must admit I am ready to just take a week off. Guess what? I am going to! Chris and I are headed to the beach today and I may just take a complete break from everything. Maybe so, maybe not. Time will tell.
So what was I doing the past week? A lot of meetings and lunches, volunteering galore and just getting up to my usual shenanigans. It was a busy but great week and it reminded me of how I need to try to reign my enthusiasm for volunteering for good things in a bit at times. But it’s all so good, right?
I kicked off Christmas Blessings with my fellow elves at Sharing House and the morning I worked we were able o supply 50 kids with Christmas joy. I know I have shared about this program before and it is one of the favorite things that I do all year. Led by our intrepid leader, Lynn, we usher parents and guardians into the Christmas shopping room where they can pick out presents for each child as well as stockings, stocking stuffers, blankets and stuffed animals. I can’t forget the books! I have appointed myself in charge of books and each child receives one book. We have partnered with my favorite independent book store, Highland Books, again this year and folks can purchase books there with a discount to be donated to this program. It’s so much fun to find the perfect book for each child.
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I had book club at my house last week as well and that meant some prep for the gathering. Our book was The Miniaturist’s Assistant by Katherine Scott Crawford that I reviewed here. If I haven’t said it often enough — I absolutely love my my book club. We have a good time when we get together and we read some really great books. Here’s a part of my spread with food named after characters in the book.
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I had a Scholarship Luncheon to attend for AAUW and while I was waiting for the gals to get in the picture with me they snapped a shot of me being me.
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Saturday was Pack the Pantry where the Pisgah Forest Rotary Club does a massive food collection for Sharing House. Chris was volunteered (by me) to help at one of the grocery stores and we had a fun time. It always surprises me how generous some people are. It also surprises me at times the people that do give. Just goes to show me that I know absolutely nothing. For example, I gave a list to a middle aged Hispanic man who spoke broken English and told him we were collecting for others for Sharing House and if he could find one thing on the list to donate we would really appreciate it. When he came out he sought me out and placed bags and bags of groceries in my cart, smiled at me and said he hoped that this food would help some people. I assured him it would. When we do these drives it always reminds me that amidst the doom and gloom in the world at times there is a lot of good. We exceeded our goal and collected 7,187 pounds of food and over $9000. That will feed a lot of people.
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So I am feeling especially thankful today and hope that your Thanksgiving week is filled with wonderful things to be thankful for. If you are with family I hope it is enjoyable. If you are having a big meal, I hope it is all cooked perfectly and tastes fabulous. If you are not doing anything special for Thanksgiving, I hope you know that I am thinking of you and sending all my love your way. Happy Thanksgiving!
