Thanksgiving/my birthday

I have always loved Thanksgiving. It is probably the only holiday that has not been totally taken over by (insert word of choice). It is still just about getting together with loved ones and eating some all the awesome food you can because it is a holiday. I love it. 

Every 6 years the stars align and Thanksgiving falls on my birthday. I use to love this, now I see that it isn't so great because it takes away from my two days a year John will cook me whatever I want (he probably would do it more, those are just the mandated ones). Last time this occurred was the first time John ever told me he loved me, so that is kind of hard to beat.

This year I was super excited for Thanksgiving. John didn't have to work (yeah!), my mom was coming up, and we were having two of my awesome friends over. Then Caleb broke his arm and the opposite happened. John had to work, my mom switched her ticket because at the time we were told Caleb was probably having pins placed in his arm and I wanted my mom to see Caleb while he was happy not doped up. And I had to cancel on my friends. So sad but Caleb came first.

I have very mixed feelings about traditions. Some people are so set that every holiday they must eat the same exact thing every single meal and then do the exact same thing after dinner and wear the same clothes... I think traditions are great, but I am slightly untraditional in my traditions and this week I realized that the most important part of traditions is the small things that relate to family. When John found out he had to work he asked when I wanted to celebrate my birthday I said "um right now." He accidentally ordered my present with my email account so I knew exactly what I was getting and where it was hidden and I really wanted my boots! So Monday I got my presents.

*I must add that we did celebrate my birthday a couple weekends ago. We went down to Helena where my friend was the star of a play, so we went to that and then the fanciest restaurant in town and had great seafood and amazing almond cheesecake. Plus we got to go to Billings this month and go to the Temple which I love doing on my birthday, but due to distance can't do anymore. So it isn't like John just wrapped my unsurprised presents in a towel and called it good.

Wednesday John offered to make dinner for my birthday. We started doing an organic co-op and had gotten a butternut squash. So I wanted butternut squash pasta, which we had never had before, but it was amazing! I would totally pick that meal again for my birthday.

Thursday I knew that Caleb wouldn't be up to going to someone's house for Thanksgiving and the thought of eating the food alone while watching Bob the Builder was kind of bummer, plus it was my birthday and Thanksgiving food is not my food of choice. So I used our organic fruits and veggies, got some walnut cranberry bread, bleu cheese and our amazing balsamic vinegar and made me a mean sandwich. Seriously best sandwich I had every had!

Besides that my birthday was low key. I went to the gym in the morning so I could have my traditional put in the old age on the elliptical moment. My friend came by and brought me a pie and a card. Our other friends came by and they signed Caleb's cast. But the best part is I got to talk to all my sisters and my mom and dad (one was just on facebook, but she lives in Africa). I loved getting a voicemail from my little nephew and talking to all my family. I have a pretty great family. 

But then I got a little bummed that we weren't eating stuffing and green bean casserole and rolls and potatoes. So I thought I would make just the two of us a feast. Then I thought that would be a lot of work. Then I found a recipe that looked amazing! 

So we had roasted organic fingerling potatoes (amazing!) Montana grass-fed pork topped with gorgonzola cheese, organic pears (I am on a slight organic kick right now) and pecans, green beans and fig bread dipped in cherry peppermint balsamic vinegar (have I mentioned we are in an olive oil/balsamic club? That was the vinegar of the month and it is surprisingly tasty! Global Garden Olive Oils, they are the best!). John said it could easily be the best meal I ever made. We both enjoyed it more than a traditional thanksgiving meal and this year would be the year to break tradition.

The best part was we got to keep my favorite tradition-writing what we are thankful for each day of the month.

This is the best sight to me. Thinking about all that we have been blessed with this year, which is so much. Caleb and I both dodged more extensive surgeries with less painful procedures. John got to launch a missile. We got to spend six weeks in California on what was pretty much a non stop vacation. John and I got to spend five days alone in hawaii.we got to visit family in Utah and Oregon. John and I have been married for five fun years. We have a wonderful house and John has a great job. Caleb is literally the sweetest thing in the world, and just brightens every day. We have amazing friends not only here but all around the country. It has only dropped below 0 once this winter here, which is unheard of warm! Caleb has only broken one bone (well two) but with the way he plays it should be close to 20. We have the added strength of our faith and religion. The list goes on and on. My favorite thing is hearing Caleb say he is grateful for Jesus, when we asked the second time he said "Mary cause she is Jesus' mommy." That too me beats any meal in the world. 

Happy Thanksgiving one and all!