Thanksgiving

Wonderful time today, with friends and their families, a total of 16 people.  Even number of kids to adults.  

Here is our 21 pound turkey.

Also on the menu: mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, cranberry sauce, popovers, bread, asparagus, carrots, green beans, pork pie, beets, apple pie, chocolate cake, pumpkin pie, peanut butter blossoms, ice cream, wine, beer and sparkling cider.  Did we forget anything??

Thankful for all God has given us and for family and friends both far and near.

Thanksgiving--why we do it

Washington, D.C., October 3, 1863

By the President of the United States of America.  A Proclamation.

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defense, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battlefield; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.

No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People.

I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.

By the President: Abraham Lincoln

The Gerrysburg Address

150 years ago, a short speech by President Lincoln, was given.  Now famous, these words of hope are needed today by many who are still living under oppressive regimes.

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate, we can not consecrate, we can not hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

The Show Must Go On!!

The old adage was put into practice this past weekend.  There were big rainstorms followed by a power outage DURING the matinee performance of "Emma".  We continued on with emergency lighting and the kids did a great job!!

The show is now over and costumes are at the dry cleaner.  Finally, Anna is back to normal routine and doing normal things like chores, homework, piano lessons...

Fall happenings

Max beginning more soccer as things ramp up for soccer season.  There is an introductory meeting this week already (and this is for Spring soccer!!)

Gabriel starting winter conditioning for rowing. 

Anna will be involved in Tech week, along with getting her homework done and filling out more college apps and scholarship apps. 

Marian and I also involved in Tech Week, she is coming more because she wants to be there and with me.  I am there to make sure the costumes are in order!!  All is well so far, today we add make-up and wigs!  Each day until opening night will be busy!

Bogdan continues to plug away at work, they are hiring more people, and hopefully these new people will be able to alleviate some of his work. 

Prayer for Veteran's Day

From the UCCB

May we remember that the freedoms we enjoy in our most gracious home, the United States of America, did not come without a price.  May the Lord bless all those who served, all those who continue to serve, and the families that those serving left behind.  May we never forget.

O God,
by whose mercy the faithful departed find rest,
look kindly on your departed veterans who gave their
lives in the service of their country.
Grant that through the passion, death, and resurrection of your Son
they may share in the joy of your heavenly kingdom
and rejoice in you with your saints forever.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Good fall recipe

Pork Roast with Apples and Onions

3 Tablespoons Olive Oil

1 whole Pork Shoulder Roast (also Called Pork Butt)

 Salt And Pepper, to taste

4 cups Apple Juice

1 cup Beef Stock

3 whole Apples, Cored And Cut Into Wedges

3 whole Medium Onions, Sliced

1 whole Bay Leaf

Fresh Rosemary and Thyme, about 1.5 teaspoons each

OPTIONAL: Saute onions until brown. (Or you may just add them raw to the roast.)

 To make the pork roast, heat olive oil in a large pot over high heat. Salt and pepper pork roast, then sear on all sides to give it some color. Reduce heat to low. Add apple juice, apple slices, onions, and spices. Cover and simmer for 3 hours. (Or you may place in a 300 degree oven if you prefer.)

When the roast is done, remove the roast, apples, and onions to a platter. Raise heat to medium-high (to high) and boil liquid, reducing it until thick and rich. Spoon thick sauce over the roast, then cut the roast into slices. Serve with apples and onions and egg noodles!!

The week

Anna's been sick since Tuesday and finally on medication, so let's hope she keeps things down.  Tech week starts soon, so she will need all her strength.

Last fall rowing race tomorrow and off until the spring.

Still so glad about the Red Sox!!