Fall Reflectons

   This is the time of year with all of the best holidays.  Whenever I think of the holidays, I can't help but think of my sister-in-law, Geri.  She loved the holidays, especially Christmas, so much.  She had more Christmas decorations than you could shake a stick at.  She even had Christmas silverware! I have to use the word "had" because our beautiful Geri passed away just a couple of weeks ago.  She left my brother behind, not to mention all of her forty odd nieces and nephews, and the same number of Great nieces and nephews, and god children.  Also her father and 5 of her siblings.  She never forgot any of the holidays, including Valentines Day and Halloween.  She never forgot a birthday.  On all of their trips to Hawaii and anywhere else that she and my brother traveled, she sent them all postcards with different messages to each of them.  Geri was devout in her religion and so kind and full of grace.  We all miss her very much and morn for my brother who feels her loss so keenly.
   Another thing I think of during the holidays that came from Geri are some of the recipes that I routinely make now that she has been a part of our family for so long. (37 years!) She was always willing to pass her recipes along. Her Walnut Brittle is epic and the Portuguese Easter Bread from her family is amazing! 

     So, today in Phoenix, it is finally cooler and rainy.  Hurrah! Fall may be here at last!  So, I made an autumnal dinner.  (I just taught my kids at school the word "autumnal"  and I think it is a cool word).  I had some acorn squash and I roasted it with butter, brown sugar, a little salt, nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, a little extra cinnamon and a sprinkle of sugar around the edges.  I baked it for an hour at 425 degrees.  YOU HAVE TO TRY IT!  It tastes like pumpkin pie, without the crust and you get to call it a vegetable.

   I think Geri would have liked it.  She will be on my mind throughout the holidays this year and every year.  I am so thankful to know that we will all see her again because of the Hope we have through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Because of Him, my heart is filled with love and peace instead of devastating sorrow.  This is my first piece of Thanksgiving to share. I hope that all of you can feel His love and tender mercies in your lives as well.