I can almost smell it now! Those wonderful childhood memories of Thanksgiving! Getting up early in the morning to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. The smell of the upcoming feast filling the house ... turkey ... oyster dressing ... scalloped corn ... mashed potatoes and gravy ... green bean casserole ... sweet potatoes ... cranberries ... and that wonderful relish tray that I stole all the black olives from before dinner! (My mom finally got smart and HID the olives until dinnertime!) My dad, grandfather, and brothers would be in the family room glued to the TV after the parade, with the football game as loud as can be! Oh, what a blessed time! A time to be thankful for all the blessings God has bestowed upon us! A Pilgrims Prayer Most Merciful Lord Bless and keep us during this time of thanksgiving, Help us to discover the blessings of every day. Let us be still and know that you are God, Let us hold fast to a Pilgrim's Faith And in all things give you the THANKS, GLORY and PRAISE, In Jesus Name, AMEN. Though it was not called Thanksgiving at the time, what we recognize as the first Thanksgiving feast was celebrated in 1621 by the pilgrims of the Plymouth colony along with about 90 Wampanoag Indians. The Pilgrims had suffered through a devastating winter in which nearly half their number died. Without the help of the Indians, all would have perished. After the first harvest, Governor William Bradford proclaimed a day of thanksgiving and prayer to God. The food, which was eaten outdoors, included corn, geese, turkeys, ducks, eel, clams, leeks, plums, cod, bass, barley, venison and corn bread. The feast lasted 3 days. Though the exact date is unknown, the feast clearly took place in late autumn. Looking for a way to spruce up your holiday table? I stumbled across these decorating ideas, and thought I'd share them with you! * Hollow out miniature pumpkins and squashes to make serving bowls and containers for cranberry sauces, relishes, dips, soups, individual desserts, even fresh flowers. Cut a thin slice off the bottom so that the pumpkin or squash will stand firm. * Tie bunches of herbs and herb flowers together with string to make a garland that can be draped on the table, wall, or mantel. * Enliven individual place settings by affixing sprigs of autumn wheat or herbs to your napkins with ribbons. * Collect, rinse, and pat dry an assortment of colorful autumn leaves. Place them between tissue paper with heavy books on top for a week in a warm room. This will ensure that the leaves dry flat. Once dried, scatter the leaves on your buffet table before setting down the serving dishes. Or, use large leaves as a liner under stemmed glasses or bowls on individual serving plates. * Using a heavy-duty needle and thread, alternate kumquats and cranberries to create a fragrant holiday garland. Use the fruit strands to decorate serving platters, tables, and doorways. My Guestbook Graphics Courtesy Of: