First of all, I am thankful ~ to be sitting at the computer right now after spending the entire day in the kitchen. We produced a double batch of Wheat Belly granola, a batch of Oatmeal Scotchies for Grandpa's cookie jar, and five pies: pumpkin, pecan, caramel-apple, egg-free pumpkin, and wheat-free sugar-free pumpkin. I think the dishwasher ran four times today.
Thankful ~ that my husband didn't kill me for not liking any of the aqua paint samples we thought we had decided on. They were just - too much. We had to go back to the paint department and look for something less - perhaps a pale blue or green.
Thankful ~ for a busy and full month. There was the great escape to the Mill District with my girls, a piano recital for the older three, a Very First Orchestra Concert for my eldest girl (perhaps the first of hundreds or thousands, who knows?), a new three-quarter sized violin her too, a boy's choir pancake breakfast, field trips to the Minnesota Orchestra Young People's Concert and the Children's Theatre's production of The Wizard of Oz, a trip up to my in-laws to celebrate Grandpa's 70th birthday, book club and home school mom meetings for me, and an informational meeting about a possible European Tour with MacPhail the summer of 2013.
Thankful ~ that in spite of his behavior at home, my son was named Choir Boy of the Month. I resisted the temptation to call the director and fill him in. However, we do have to evaluate his table manners this week and turn in a written report to the director!
Thankful - for the protection of my guardian angel while maneuvering around a car that spun out beside me and in front of me on an icy curve last Saturday.
And just for fun, I'm going to join in Rachel's ABC'c of Thanks. It will probably be short because I am so tired and forgot to take many pictures this month!

A - Apples - the last of the honey crisp apples in my fridge. They were so very good.
B -All my babies. Even the ones who have grown up into big kids. They will always be my babies.
C -Comments. Thankful for the few that keep me going and enjoying being a blogger.
D -Daddy. What would our family be without him?
E -Envelopes. Envelopes with the handwriting of someone I actually know and love.
F -Friends IRL and online. I need a balance of both.
G -Guacamole with celery. I've never had it as frequently as we have in the last five weeks. Somehow Costco's avocados have all been perfect.
H -Horseplay with dad. I love sitting back and watching the him and the kids go at it before bedtime.
I -Ice Cream at Cold Stone. Kids we have at least one plus sign at the end of the week instead of check marks get to go there with Dad.
J -Jack-o-lanterns in the garbage instead of molding on the porch.
K -My kids, my opus.
L -the Larkrise to Candleford book by Flora Thompson is a fascinating read. Much different than the BBC series, but you can tell where the writers plucked their ideas for the show.
M -Music of course. Renaissance, baroque, classical, romantic, neo-classical, and even some modern music makes my day.
N - Nuts. Who knew you could bake cookies with almond flour? And nature hikes - I almost lost the kids in the moss-covered Enchanted Forest. Here's my one picture to share:

O - Ovens - double ovens. I use both ovens so often I hate to think of how I would survive with just one.
P -Promo codes. Lands' End has 30% off and free shipping for orders over $50. Use stuffing - 5874. Expires Monday.
Q -My "It's Good to be Queen" coffee mug. We moms have a regal vocation.
R - Rest. I need much more of it to get the twitch in my eye to go away.
S -My sister. She is great about keeping in touch and I love having her just a phone call away. Also for my cousin Sarah. I hear from her in bits and spurts but so glad she keeps in touch with her U.S. relations.
T -My toddler. He's such a stinker. A very cute and lovable stinker. You know what I mean if you saw my last post.
U -Dare I say - underwear? I rejoice when my son has seven pairs in the wash each Monday. Sometimes there's only one or two. Yuck.
V -Violin playing - the girls are making great strides this year. It's just so exciting.
W -Work. My husband's work, that is. We are so blessed that he has a great job and wonderful co-workers.
X - eXtra great kids.
Y -Yogurt with berries.
Z - Zany kids who make us laugh every day.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!