Bringing the Green Bean Casserole. Again.

It's that time of year when my family only trusts me to bring one dish to the big family gathering. Green Bean Casserole. Now granted, I make a bitchin GBC - it includes extra goodies like garlic, cheddar cheese and bacon. Mmmmm...bacon.

You see, while my family loves me, they don't trust me.

It's true, I'm not a great cook, but I get by. I'd like to think that I could branch out a little and try something else. Maybe those cheesy potatoes with the crunchy stuff on top. Or squash. Or hell, a pie. But nope, I'm on GBC duty. Again.

As has become tradition on this blog, I'm going to mention a few things I'm thankful for.

First and foremost, I'm thankful for my family - even though they're actively stifling my creativity in the kitchen. I have the most amazing kids, husband, siblings, parents and extended family. They're all a little crazypants, but I wouldn't trade any of them.

I'm thankful for my friends - online and real life alike. The connection that have with these people is amazing. I know that there are some people who don't understand that it's possible to build real, loving, supportive relationships with people you may never physically meet, but it's true. I love you guys, and I'm grateful for each and every one of you. And my real life friends, I love you, too. You're all amazing.

I'm thankful that I'm able to build a career that encompasses two of my biggest passions - reading and writing. I feel incredibly lucky to spend my work day editing other authors and writing my own stuff. Grants, some work days are longer than others - and I've had some doozies lately - but no matter how crappy the day is, I'd still rather do this than anything else.

In no particular order, I'm thankful for laughter, dark chocolate, my kids' laughter, changing leaves, the support of my friends and laughing til we cry, bonfires, music, purring kittens, Starbucks, foggy mornings, starry nights, stories to lose myself in, a roof over our heads, books, creative outlets, thunderstorms, snow days, the clacking sound of knitting needles, hot tea, apple butter...

I could go on and on and I probably would if I didn't have to mix up that green bean casserole. Mostly, I'm just thankful for the life I have and I'm thankful for everyone in it. I hope that everyone who celebrates has an awesome Thanksgiving and those who don't have a wonderful day.

And as we say in my fam, Happy Infect and Kill the Indigenous People Day. (As you may have gathered, we're not particularly reverent.) ;)