#3 Cakes

I'm thankful for a mother who taught me how to decorate cakes when I was 10 years old.

Erin, I found the shiny chocolate frosting I called you about. Ganache. It is easy and beautiful and super rich.

Look at how shiny it is.

#2 Knitting

I am thankful for the time and resources I have to learn a new skill. This is my first hat!

One more thought about Halloween

Every year I sort of dread Halloween.

I don't like spiders, I'm not crazy about those big blow up decorations and I don't get all excited about coming up with costumes. In recent years I've come to resent church Halloween parties and even worse, the lame people who feel like they have to take a stand against Halloween. It all makes me tired.

Every year however, as I watch my children running and giggling from house to house, I am struck by the charm of this holiday and the tradtions that go with it. I love strolling through the neighborhood, ""trick or treat!!" being heard here and there, visiting with other parents, friendly neighbors showing a small kindness to our little goblins and throwing a wave to us. It makes our community seem smaller and safer and simpler. Our nighborhoods feel like they felt when I was a kid and I really like it.

Whenever we come home from trick or treating, I wish I had done more for our costumes, I wonder why I let the goofy people get to me and I promise myself that next year I won't be such a Halloween Scrooge.

Sorry mom, I totally forgot to take pictures. Sara was a witch, Gloria was a Genie. Dan had a Halloween party which was great and the 2 Pauls ate all the Snickers.

#1 Laundry

I am thankful for a big washer and dryer that beep at me when it is time for a new load so that despite the ADD I can finish all the laundry for 6 people in one day.

Thankful November

One of the things Mindi does on her blog is "Thankful Thursday". I like that, so throughout November I am gong to post things I am thankful for.