Giving thanks...

I know it's Thanksgiving, and it's probably too cliché to offer up a post like this, but I'm going to do it anyway.

I am thankful. For many things.

For instance, all I had to do for today was make red cabbage from my grandmother's recipe. And some cranberry-walnut biscotti.

I'd take a picture, but as we all know from my attempted Swiss Oatmeal illustration, I'm not the best food photographer.

I'll take a couple bottles of wine, and sautée my wild mushroon mix in garlic and Madiera once I get out to my cousin's house in the suburbs, but in contrast to the throngs of you who are spending their pre-meal hours laboring in the kitchen, I get to spend mine blogging with a cat napping peacefully on my lap, then just show up to a bustling, warm house filled with laughter, incredible smells, and a branch of the family I only get to see once a year. I get to hang out with my cousins and their college-age kids and marvel at what cool people they've grown to be. And know that I'm related to all of them.

I've been looking forward to this day for months.

And I need to interject here that two horse-drawn carriages have just passed by my window, followed by a truckload of Christmas trees. Add a little snow and it'd be perfect!

But back to the thankful part.

Beyond the usual family (immediate and extended), friends (in person and in Blogdom), health and home to be thankful for, especially in these times, in an effort to not bore you I've narrowed it down.

On this day to reflect on all I've been given, this list is long...but one keeps bobbing to the top of the list:

I am incredibly grateful for the gift of creativity.

Not everyone gets this when talents are passed out (I'm very aware of what I didn't get as a tradeoff -- math skills, the ability to drive a stick...it's a long list), and some people receive lots more than others (several fellow bloggers come to mind -- see my links at left). But we -- and I mean all of us who have the ability to make things and share pieces of ourselves with others -- are a pretty lucky bunch.

As quilters, we take bits of fabric and turn them into a big cuddly hug for someone hundreds of miles away. We pluck colors and patterns from our imagination and make them into something tangible that warms and comforts. As artists, we channel our emotions into something for others to appreciate. As writers, our words come together to share experience and encourage others. As photographers (Swiss Oatmeal aside), we inspire.

It's really pretty amazing -- and magical -- when you think about it.

So as my house fills with the wonderful smell of almost-burnt biscotti, I wish all of you "creative types" out there an amazing and magical Thanksgiving. Eat well!