{Monday Mentions} To be Thankful

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving! Believe it or not, this is the FIRST year I am actually in Canada for Thanksgiving since moving here. Once I actually missed U.S. thanksgiving on a trip up here to see Nick, but this is the first year I get to celebrate two Thanksgivings. Luckily, I have a lot to be thankful for! Today I am dedicating my Monday Mentions to the idea of being thankful, and reflecting on all the things I am grateful for, and I invite you to join me!

This year, I am thankful for:

1. The opportunity to finally celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving, since immigrating here. Yesterday we celebrated at Nick’s Grandma’s house with nearly all his family gathered around not one, but two tables. We had lots to celebrate! Awards, an engagement, a new job (and a homecoming!). It was a delicious meal and wonderful company, as usual.

2. My little family. I can’t write a post about being thankful without including my amazing husband (and our two ~~bratty~~ adorable kittens). No, I am not ashamed to admit we bought them their own pumpkins from the farm.

3. Visiting my family this weekend. I’ve been looking forward to this trip since booking my plane tickets this summer and I couldn’t be more excited to return to the Ocean state after a whole season away. I get to see my little sister’s new dorm room (I won’t believe it until I see it), meet up with some of my friends from Italy and spend lots of quality time with my family!

4. My health. Last week I was bogged down with the most intense flu I’ve had in a long time (and I don’t get sick very often!).I stuck to my guns in eating clean, using all of my favorite natural remedies and I was good as new by the weekend. After spending nearly a week on my couch, I couldn’t be more grateful for my resilience and healthy lifestyle.

5. The Autumn harvest. Nick and I planned on going apple picking this weekend, but soon learned a warm front in the springtime killed most of this year’s apple crops, so apple picking was a no-go this season. Still, we trekked out to the farm to pick fresh pumpkins and grab a couple bags of local apples from the market, likely the last we will be lucky to obtain this fall. I can’t wait to use our fresh bounty in delicious seasonal meals for the weeks to come.

6. Simple living. After our day at the farm and with family yesterday, today Nick and I are laying low. After a couple hours with my chai here at Starbucks, I plan on spending the day in the kitchen while Nick has agreed to put together the desk and shelves that will soon make up the Chef Kristin Rugg/Cook Bake Nibble headquarters. {Thank you, honey!}. Some Thanksgiving dinner leftovers for lunch and a simple, fresh meal for dinner will complete our relaxing day at home.

A few last-minute recipe ideas for your thanksgiving feast:
Grain-free pumpkin pie (our dessert of choice, yesterday)
Honey cinnamon roasted root vegetables
Gluten-free gingersnaps
Honey thyme glazed carrots
Savoury Cornbread Stuffing
Sweet potato spice loaf

Please share what you are thankful for, today!