Turkey Day or Thanksgiving Day?

What do you call it? I used to thoughtlessly call it Turkey Day, myself. A day to get together and eat? (Being a foodie, you know that I'm there!) But in recent years I've had a complete turnaround on that thought. This year I am thankful for so much and I want to give the day it's proper due.

My family will be sharing dinner with a new group of friends and I'm excited to share this yummy dish (an homage to my French heritage); Sweet Potato gilette. I got the recipe from Epicurious, but here is a picture of the galette (pre-baked). I will report back on how it tasted, but I'm guessing it's gonna' be delish!

As far as gratitude goes, well...there is so much! I'm thankful for my fiance, Barry, who is a never ending source of support and love. I am thankful for my kids--each and every one of them--and I am thankful for my granddaughter and soon to be second grandchild! I am thankful for our health, our house (be it ever so humble, it is HOME!) and thankful that I live in a country that allows me to practice my religion without fear of imprisonment. I am thankful for my mom and my dad, for my grandparents (even though they have all passed on I know they are still with me!), for my numerous aunties and uncles who offer support and encouragement and intelligent conversations! I am thankful for my extended family and distant cousins, who, even though we don't get to see each other very often, are all present via the Internet and Facebook! (love it!). I am thankful that I am able to go back to school after all of these years and further my education and pursuits of career, dreams, happiness. I am grateful that, as a woman, I have a choice in career options. I am ever grateful for all the blessings my God and Goddess bestow upon me and my family, however small they may be, however ambitious they may seem...for this and for so, so, so much more, I am grateful.

And so now you might understand why I choose to call the fourth Thursday in November, Thanksgiving Day instead of Turkey Day. If we are to be relegated to one day per year, then I will give this day it's proper respect and address it with a "Happy Thanksgiving Day!"

Griffin is Going to the Coast

Aromatherapy by Blackbird Creative

Today I did a test run and made my first batch of massage oil, called "Dream by blackbird creative." Amelie was so impressed that she asked if she could have it. I gave it to her because this child needs all the help she can get unwinding at night and going to sleep. But also, too, because I wanted to test out this batch before making any more.

Instructions: Massage a drop of oil onto your pressure points before bedtime. Top notes of lavender with sweet orange on the back end soothes the mind, allowing you to settle into blissful slumber—perfect for dreaming the night away. Dream Oil can be used to scent sachets, on lamp rings, or pour a few drops in your bathwater for a relaxing spa experience.

I will have more scents available in the coming weeks. I haven't listed these for sale yet because I want to create the other scents and make a bigger batch (small, still, but bigger than today's test run.)

And, by the way, if you are a family member, yes. You will be getting this for the holidays!