Random Dozen -- Thanksgiving Edition

1. Are you sticking to traditional Thanksgiving foods this year, or are you being culinarily adventurous?
I'm pretty much sticking to the traditional menu. That's one thing I love about Thanksgiving Dinner, the menu is pretty much set. I am planning on trying pecan pie this year. It's my new daughter-in-law's favorite.

2. Tell me something concrete that you're thankful for. (Something you can literally touch, see, etc., not a concept like "hope.")
My home. I feel comfortable and safe here.

3. You knew the flip side was coming: Share about something intangible that you're thankful for.
I am oh so thankful for God's unconditional love and for my hubby's unconditional love. I think it is so cool how God gives me an earthly version of His great love for me.

4. Share one vivid Thanksgiving memory. It doesn't have to be deep or meaningful, just something that remains etched in your memory.
When we lived in Singapore we had a wonderful time celebrating Thanksgiving with our new American friends there. One year our family was in three different countries on Thanksgiving Day. Caleb was in Malaysia with the youth group from our church on a retreat. Megan was in Singapore with some Singaporean friends. Pete and I were in Hong Kong having a wonderful long weekend just-the-two-of-us. That is my vivid Thanksgiving memory.

5. What is one thing that you know beyond a shadow of a doubt is going to happen this Thanksgiving because it always does, year after year?
We will eat turkey! And we will share what we are thankful for.

6. Do your pets get any left-overs?
No pets here.

7. Does your family pray before the big meal? If so, do you join hands while seated, stand, repeat a formal prayer or offer a spontaneous prayer? Who does the praying?
We pray before every meal. We join hands while seated. Hubby most often does the praying. The prayer is not a formal prayer.

8. Will you be watching football in the afternoon? If not, what will you be doing?
I am positive that football will be on the TV. And I am positive I won't be watching it. I will probably have my nose in a book or most likely, in my computer.

9. There are two distinct camps of people on this issue: How do you feel about oysters in the dressing/stuffing?
I have never had it. Is that one of the camps? I'd like to try it. I am still trying to find the perfect dressing that we all like.

10. Do you consider yourself informed about the first Thanksgiving?
Yes I do. I have learned a lot more in the last several years thanks to Barbara Rainey. I have a special feeling for Thanksgiving and what it means to this country. My husband's nine-times great-grandfather is William Bradford. He was governor of the Plymouth Colony. I have stood on the beach the Pilgrams sailed from in Holland and I have stood on the beach in Plymouth, Massachusetts. I was moved by the obedience of William Bradford and the Pilgrims. Because of that, I have my hubby and he has had the privilege of having the Christian faith passed down through many generations.

11. Which variety of pie will you be enjoying?
Pumpkin. My mom has the best pumpkin pie recipe.

12. Do you feel for the turkey?? (This is a humorous throw back question related to the 12th question in another Random Dozen!)
No. Turkey is good eats.