Thanksgiving In Space

Holidays seem to be filled with expectations, obligations and stress, which I'm pretty sure is the opposite of the way its supposed to be. In my gypsy life I have spent quite a few holidays away from home and it always gives me a great perspective on what's important and what's enjoyable.
The nearest I came to stress this year was adjusting to new pie crust ingredients (lard and sprouted flour, both of which I am really excited about) and realizing I didn't have a round pan (time was this would have brought me to tears as the underlying fear was that nobody would like me anymore if I didn't make the pie they (I) were expecting). I made the crusts last night, and this morning after my morning beverage I was ready to make the filling which took about 10 minutes. I used to make at least 2 kinds of pie as well; no more!
After breakfast I went to a park near where I'm staying that is mostly for dog walkers, but they allow you in without a dog. It is right on the water and in the distance the Bay and Golden Gate bridges and San Francisco were wrapped in low clouds. Its fun to observe all the dogs; they absolutely embody their personality, whereas humans all take great pains to looks relatively the same as everyone else. I walked for close to an hour and now I have about two hours until I am expected at the big feast and nothing to do but get dressed!
I have been thinking all morning about thanks and how I used to be looking always for really big things to be thankful for and feeling bad that someone else seemed to have something more impressive. Today the things I am grateful for are the small, big things, like weather and breathing and plants and stoves, the kind of things you forget are gifts if you are caught up rushing to meet expectations and obligations. And I'm grateful for the space to do this.

Spreading Everyday Goodness

It seems I only write when I'm lonely, mad about something, or have something to brag about. I don't like this pattern; it puts the not-so-nice stuff out into circulation and only celebrates the monumental. I'm going to try to pay homage to the ordinary things that make life grand (incidentally I am trying to pay more attention to these things in my life in general).
I've had a really nice weekend after a bit of a hectic week. I planned to do a tour of bay area Goodwill stores yesterday which just happened to be their 50% off clothing day - sweet! Then I went to the local movie theater that also serves dinner while you watch the show. My pizza was overcooked and bland and my $4 artisan root beer had high-fructose corn syrup in it, but I managed to let these things roll off my back and really enjoyed the movie: J. Edgar. I guess I knew nothing about the guy, poor troubled man! Oh, and I began that day with sourdough crumpets I made which were a) so delicious I want to eat them for every meal and b) so much easier to make than I anticipated. I have been shy of sourdough because it seemed complicated and "scientific", but I am now very inspired to keep my starter well-cared-for and to try something out every week (maybe I'll try new things when I get tired of crumpets, which is not likely until mid-2012).
Today I am laundering all my Goodwill finds and roasting some Oz Farm delicata squash which I plan to stuff with the heavenly smelling confetti rice I just made and top with cheddar cheese for my brunch. This afternoon I will go to the kitchen and learn how to butcher a pig, and then there will be nothing on earth I can't do!
Okay, so there are maybe a few extraordinary things celebrated here, but I am also thrilled about things like squirrels running along the fence with food in their mouths and the miracle of the indoor shower!