Thankful Thursday

I did, in fact, have this wonderful, sweet post planned out, and then my day went haywire. I'd use other language to describe it, but there are kids around... *sigh* So I'm not in the same frame of mind that I was when I began this post, oh, 12 hours ago... *sigh*

But I do want to start a tradition of expressing my gratitude for the blessings that have been given to me, and I thought that Thursdays would be a good place to start. Several of my blogging friends are doing similar exercises, for an entire month. I'll try to get there, but my life is so random that I really better just start small.

I am thankful, today, that we have food on our table. There are so many around me that don't. I see them every time that I go into church to see Brian - all the Angel Food people, all those we serve at the Community Meal... The people lined up outside the free lunch cafe downtown... Those invisible people that you hear about, but never really see... But by the grace of God, we are able to eat. And we eat well. And when you've got a family of 8, that's no small thing. There are days when I am glad that the kids actually *like* ramen noodles, and that they do, in fact, request pasta at least once a week. And occasionally, we get to enjoy more exotic fare, like Chicken Tikka Masala, chicken enchiladas, all kinds of Chinese food... And let's not forget fondue - cheese, or chocolate...

Yes, I am blessed, not only with the food that is provided for us, but also with a gift to prepare it. To be able to take the slimmest of pantry fodder and make a meal that the majority of the kids will eat. And to take the most exotic ingredients, and craft them into a delicious feast. Cooking is, for me, like therapy. It clears my head, calms me down. I am thankful that I am able do bless my family with the fruits of my labors. I hope to post some of my recipes in the future - you know, if I ever get time to type them out... *grin*

So there you have it. Kind of mundane, but then again, not so much. I am truly thankful that we can eat, and eat abundantly. And what a wonderful thing that is...