Counting My Blessings This Year at Thanksgiving
In this crazy year of COVID-19, I am still counting my blessings this year at Thanksgiving. So much has been lost this year because of COVID-19. We missed so many family celebrations, weddings, and trips because of the virus. But we stayed healthy, talked to our families more than ever with Facetime, and was blessed with a second granddaughter in May.
This post is sponsored by Mud Pie, however, all opinions are my own.
As we gather together for Thanksgiving I very aware that the pandemic has changed all our lives. I know many of you have gone through financial losses or have had a loved one’s health impacted by COVID-19. My experiences this year will be different from yours, but I think it’s so important to count our blessings every year.
Counting My Blessings During Covid
When we count our blessings, we note all the wonderful things in our lives. This helps us to appreciate how good life is.
Yes even during COVID-19, I am sure you experienced some joy in our “new normal”. Small blessings help us get through our darkest hours. That is why I think now more than ever we need to count our blessings.
I had many wonderful moments and new experiences that I wouldn’t have done before COVID-19.
Zoom Calls and FaceTime
I had zoom calls with women I follow on Instagram because we wanted to make sure we were all doing okay. Some lost their jobs, some were dealing with COVID in their families, but we came together to support each other.
As grandparents, we went from seeing our children and grandchildren every weekend to spending time with them on Facetime. On Easter, we had a virtual holiday with our family. I still made my traditional Easter dinner but instead of having the family gathered at our home, I delivered Easter dinner to their homes. We kept our family holiday traditions but at a distance.
I wrote about my Virtual Easter Dinner with the cute videos I made with Sammy making our favorite Easter Italian recipes. Sammy and I had fun making the videos during our time being at home. We found joy in being alone together.
Introducing my newest blessing, Lucie Jane.
Lucie was born in May during COVID-19. Only our son was allowed to be at the hospital for the birth of Lucie. So many people sent loved ones to the hospital for surgeries and illness during the pandemic and weren’t allowed to visit them. This sweet little baby met her grandparents wearing masks.
Seeing America by Car
Another blessing that I am thankful for was our road trip to our vacation home in Park City this summer. If it wasn’t for the virus we would not have enjoyed the beautiful places and sights along our trip from Atlanta to Park City. We usually fly but choose to drive this summer. Seeing America by car was something I hadn’t done since I was a little girl.
You can read more about How I Traveled Safely (and in Style) on the Road During Coronavirus
My Thanksgiving Table
Our Thanksgiving table is the same table I set for fall except it is now filled with wonderful Thanksgiving pieces from Mud Pie.
Related Post: At Home with Robin: Entertaining for Fall
Mud Pie always has wonderful platters and serving pieces inscribed with phrases and messages that are perfect for wedding gifts, holidays, and hostess gifts. I selected all this year’s serving pieces from Mud Pie’s Thanksgiving Collection.
I just love the pieces so much that I left them empty so that you can enjoy reading the messages.
Ceramic Pumpkin Plate & Bowl Set
How cute is this Turkey Salt & Pepper Caddy Set!
Thanksgiving Menu
- Turkey with pan drippings
- Honey Baked Ham
- Mashed potatoes
- Spinach Madeline
- Sweet potato casserole
- Yellow Squash Casserole* (I use Pepperidge Farm stuffing instead of Saltines)
- Pepperidge Farm Stuffing
- Sausage Cornbread Dressing
- Green Beans with Mushrooms and Bacon
- Stuffed Mushrooms with sausage and goat cheese
- Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
- Waldorf Salad
- Pineapple Cranberry Relish
- Pecan Pie*
- Pumpkin Pie*
- Chocolate Pecan Pie*
- Mincemeat Pie* (I add apples to my pie)
- Cupcakes for Livie
- Whipped cream
- Vanilla Ice Cream
* Made with Martha Stewart Pie Crust
Our Mud Pie Outfits
I enjoyed seeing these beautiful photos of your granddaughters and your lovely home. I’m sure your Thanksgiving will be special. More importantly it’s good to see how we have all adapted to this year of uncertainty with the pandemic.
My Best, and of course a very blessed thanksgiving to you!
Nancy
Thank you Nancy!
Yes, this is the year of changes and adaptions.
So much has changed but I still hold on to my holiday traditions!
You have a blessed Thanksgiving too!
I love these photos of you and your granddaughters! And your home is so lovely- wish I could be there for your Thanksgiving!! So much to be thankful for:) xx
Thank you Lucy!
This was a fun collaboration with Mud Pie having my granddaughters join me.
Yes we are counting our many blessing this year!
Although our Thanksgiving is over, I still count my blessing every day. Wonderful post Robin!
It looks like you had an amazing Thanksgiving! Your grandkids look adorable! I love your table and the ceramic sets. So wonderful!
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
Thank you so much Lovely!
We are blessed that our grandchildren live close to us.
Watching the joy Livie has for new experiences is pure bliss! She’s 2 1/2 and was so excited about running through the leaves last week giggling with delight!
Such a beautiful table, outfit and grand kids!! I have that sweater I need the pants! I must try the Spinach Madeline too! Pinned
You will LOVE Spinach Madeline.
It’s a great spicy side dish for turkey.
Our favorite side dish!
The pants are from Peach clothing another brand I work with.
Oh Robin, how beautiful are your grandchildren! And I love the outfits you selected, all of the tones blending so beautifully with the decor too. I count my blessings every day.
You always look so chic…definitely enjoy taking style tips from you Robin!
Janet,
You are so sweet!
I think it helps when your grandbabies make you look better!
Happy Thanksgiving Robin,
This is such a beautiful post! We do have so much to be thankful for, especially when we can be close to our precious grandchildren.
Rosemary
So true Rosemary!
What a blessing to be near our grandchildren during COVID-19!
I know so many grandparents who haven’t seen their grandchildren in person!
We are truly blessed!
Such beautiful photos of you and your grand kids. You are so right we do need to count our blessing, even though it has been a hard year.
Looking fab! It’s wonderful having grand kids at our age! Makes life it even more wonderful.
Robin, what beautiful photos of your family. It just looks so warm and cozy. And I agree we all have so much to be Thankful for!! It has been a crazy year for all of us, and the blessing is that we are all in it together and are supporting each other!
Looking fab at 50ish, Robin! Pix of you and the grands are precious, too. Appreciate your Thankgiving Day menu. Pondering how to reduce my menu for just the two of us this covid turkey day.
Hi, Robin: I loved this post! This year we were going to be without our children, anyway, since they were all going to their in-laws so that we then get them all for Christmas. But, now everyone is staying put (CA, MA, PA, and GA) so we are going to find a time to ZOOM and all sit down together with my husband saying the grace as he always does, sharing the same bottle of wine and eating and gathering “together”. That is a blessing right there, right? We would not have thought to zoom if they were all headed to their in-laws.
Thank you Debbie for your kind words!
What a wonderful idea to do a Zoom call for Thanksgiving and having Pete say grace to everyone!
I think we’re going to do that too!
COVID-19 has changed how we get together as families in person but that’s not going to stop us!
Thank goodness for technology!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Following your blog, and I’m thinking it’s wonderful! You are an inspiration in every way!
Could you be my mentor? Seriously, I would value any advice you could send me…
Lisa,
You are so sweet to say those lovely words.
I appreciate you following me.
Feel free to reach out to me with any questions you may have.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Lisa,
You are so sweet to say those lovely words.
I appreciate you following me.
Feel free to reach out to me with any questions you may have.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Robin
Hi, yes – and Happy Thanksgiving to you too! I have to work until 230, but then we are going to dinner – at my ex husband’s house. It’s crazy! All three of my boys will be there, only one wife – the other two girls have to work. More cheesecake for us!