This week is all about preparing for our annual Canadian Thanksgiving feast, which we are celebrating with 17 of our friends this Saturday. I love hosting this party, not just for the cooking but for the time I get to spend with friends. As I am brining, rolling, pinching, dicing and stirring, I am thinking about all the things I’m thankful for this year and, because I think it’s important to document, I thought I’d do that here.
So here is my list. I am thankful:
• That my husband is healthy.
• That I don’t feel like I have to automatically knock wood if I say my husband is healthy because I don’t feel that superstitious anymore.
• That his health scare made me understand gratitude.

• That my best friend Kristin continues to get better and even when she was sick in the hospital, we laughed so hard we cried.
• That I found a recipe for grapefruit and hibiscus frozen yogurt.
• That my mother-in-law makes me stuffed green peppers.
• That it’s going to be chilly overnight this weekend so I can use my porch for a Canadian fridge and wine-cooling station.
• That I have forgiven my thighs for being Ukrainian and not long and leggy like a model’s.
• That I have an incredible mom who gives me amazing advice.
• That my friend Meredith has taught me how to be a more confident me.
• That I have rediscovered how much I love red lipstick.
• That I have withstood the pain caused by whitening my teeth so now the red lipstick looks good.
• That I have an incredible stepdaughter who always asks me how my day was when I pick her up from school. And tells me what to wear.
• That my incredible stepdaughter is navigating high school like a champ.
• And we get to buy makeup at Sephora together.
• That I have lost 7 pounds.
• That my friend Julie lost 7 pounds with me because we weighed in together every morning.
• That my little brother Matthew has quit smoking.
• That I have quit smoking.
• That I feel better every morning because I have quit smoking, which is a constant reminder not to start again.
• That I can ask my friend Dustie to bring extra soup bowls for the party Saturday and she won’t mind and will arrive with them all carefully wrapped in paper towels like she does every year.
• That my friend Sarah will make sure the party is fun and lighthearted, even if I am short-tempered in the kitchen. And her husband Scott will be a great deejay.
• That my friends forgive me for being short-tempered in the kitchen.
• That I absolutely love being 37.
• That I read this quote: “Do not regret growing older. It’s a privilege denied to many.”
• That I didn’t have to worry about coming up with a Halloween costume idea this year.
• That Meredith and her husband dressed up like troll dolls last year so I still have memories of funny Halloween costumes even though I won’t see any this year.
• That I saw the Counting Crows at Master Musicians Festival this summer and it was the best night of my year.
• That my friend Tiffany makes Somerset a better place to live.
• That my friend Jessica is unapologetic about loving beautiful things so makes it feel OK if I do too.
• That Saturday’s party kicks off holiday party season.
• That my stepdad Peter is always, always, always in my corner.
• That my friend Candice, who has moved away, told me to never take getting together with girlfriends for granted.
• That my sister-in-law Leah pointed out that it’s ironic that the word “abbreviation” is so long.
• That my sister-in-law Teresa sends me messages that say things like, “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.”
• That my sister-in-law Jennie loves to eat as much as I do and has excellent taste.
• That my husband is phenomenal at making homemade pasta with Bolognese sauce.
• That my day begins and ends with me loving my husband and my life.
• That I have so much to be thankful for.