30 Days (or so) of Thankfulness - Days 11-29

Wow. So... someone wasn't very good at keeping up with their blog. *ahem* Since tomorrow is Thanksgiving, I think it's time for an all-out recap, which I'll attempt to make short and sweet.

Day 11: Kick-starting the Christmas spirit at our town's Holiday Fair with friends, and an evening of sweet fellowship and fun with Laura making homemade pot pies (and probably gaining 5 pounds after eating them). ;)
Day 12: The freedom to go to church and worship the Lord with our beloved brothers and sisters in Christ.
Day 13: Online Scrabble games with Karyn.
Day 14: The opportunity to go to college, and the blessing of learning from good teachers.
Day 15: My cat, who, though clearly psychotic, is still a source of constant entertainment and comfort (especially on cold winter nights).
Day 16: Our veterans and all the brave men serving in our armed forces today. May God bless and protect them.
Day 17: Wandering public libraries full of good books.
Day 18: Warm, clean pajamas straight out of the dryer.
Day 19: Jigsaw puzzles and books on tape.
Day 20: Gas logs, especially if curled up beside them with a good book and a warm cat.
Day 21: Grey, rainy November days when the leaves shine jewel-bright and form a scarlet canopy against the dark sky, a golden carpet glowing on wet earth and pavement; a day for rain coats and umbrellas and first Starbuck's holiday drink of the year (gingerbread latte.. mmm).
Day 22: Bright, clear, brisk days of blue sky and green grass and riotous color as the trees shed their bright cloaks in golden showers.
Day 23: The Psalms.
Day 24: Hand-written letters.
Day 25: Sean coming home for Thanksgiving break! :D And of course his hugs.
Day 26: Old friends, beautiful weather, my Dad and brother safely finishing their mountain bike race, neighbors dropping by for marshmallow-roasting in the backyard, a bright full moon, home.
Day 27: Watching Harry Potter 7 in the theaters during the middle of a weekday. :)
Day 28: Last day of classes for the week and the start of Thanksgiving break! Being able to cook for friends and family. And more s'more-making around the fire with family and old friends. (we're pyromaniacs I guess)

And today, Day 29 if my calculations are correct, I am thankful for Dad having the day off from work; for being able to make a big family breakfast together; for the opportunity to bake all afternoon (an Appalachian layer cake and two cheddar-apple pies - I might share the pie recipe another day); for going off on an excursion in the old Volvo with just Dad and have adventures successfully hunting down discount candles, getting coffee and sitting down for a chat at B&N, just us; for pizza and the aforementioned cake at the Poppes; for a bonfire on the edge of the fields throwing sparks into a cold night pricked with stars; for songs around the fire, and laughter, and stickiness; for life; for love; for joy; for God. Thank you.