Every Day Could Be Thanksgiving!

                                                 courtesy of www, pinkngreen.com

I've just been back home after a wonderful evening spent with my close blogger friends. Never could get enough of their passion for living life positively; aided of course by their similar cravings for a great steamboat buffet spread at Yuen's.

My whole house smells like heavenly old cucumber soup now, as I reheat to have a cuppa comfort soup before retiring to bed. Like the magic of pork, medicinal herbs and that wonderful big ol' orange-coloured cucumber performed by my lovely kitchen alchemist. For those of you fortunate enough to have eaten Dowager's food, feel free to envy me, and stop by for a taste if you're somewhere near. For those of you who are not so lucky, you have my sincere sympathy.

What am I cooking for Sunday's picnic at FRIM park? My non-poisoning concoction of spices that'll make mamak mee taste utterly delectable, I do hope. Yellow noodles, tomatoes, fried beancurd puffs, beansprouts, potatoes, cabbage and an array of indians spices all ground into a rainbow paste. I'll just put that super-sized wok to toil the flames once again so I could enjoy the wok flambe of years past. Sharing food with the people I want to see, what could be better, honestly?  Not people I have to accommodate, apologize for, etc.  Thanks Michi for inviting.

It's been kinda frustrating year. It started with maddening stupidity in June, and continued through my downsizing. At some point when I wasn't looking, it all started to resolve.

The new year's coming, should be better than the current, I feel it. I am very thankful for my generally positive attitude.

My brother's and sister's kids made me proud over and over all year long, all three of them faring well with good caring attitudes. First born Lil' Karl has blessed the lives of his doting parents, the sounds of pitter-patter tiny feet are simply, sounds from tushita heaven.  Anna and Thomas, who paid their Malaysian family a visit from Paris in August had mesmerized their granny, uncles and aunts with their adult-like wit.  They are intelligent, kind, determined, beautiful, talented young ones. I am thankful for what they do, but I am more thankful for who they are. I lucked out in the kid department, somehow I have everything I could have ever wanted in these wonderful kids, and I am profoundly thankful for that.

My Dowager made it through an afternoon of surgery last Thursday to repair her perforated left eardrum, leaving her with a hope of better hearing and balance. What can I say to the wonderful specialist at Klang General Hospital and her staff who were truly professional in handling the whole situation, pre and post operation? How do I even begin to express my thankfulness for that? Hope the slices of Secret Recipe walnut brownies, a small token no doubt; did put smiles on their faces in knowing that they were truly appreciated.

I have a deep and abiding gratitude for my life. For the circumstances of where and how I live, this lovely house in this great country (minus the government goons, but of course!), and everything that goes on which makes this possible. I am profoundly grateful for the people in this life who love me, who have tirelessly guided me in my spiritual path and who accept my fierce blasts of love and gratitude when fired off in their direction.

I am thankful for all of it, for every minute of frustration and every trill of laughter.



"Walk on a trail of loving kindness
Walk on a path of compassion
And all else around you will be beautiful."
Every Blessing