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Giving Thanks

This year, although I will be cooking the turkey, Thanksgiving has moved to my son’s new home in Columbia. With their brand new baby, he and his wife decided it might just be easier to have everyone to their home instead of taking the baby out. Works for me! I don’t have to feel the pressure of cleaning my house from top to bottom.  And I still get to cook the turkey.  Although, transporting it is a bit of a concern.  I have been asking everyone I know just how that works. Sounds like it shouldn’t be that hard but I still have some qualms about it. A little concerned about the gravy in my car.

My daughter is also going to be cooking a turkey (her first!).  Her family members all have colds and are worried about spreading the germs to the new little one, so they’re having their own Thanksgiving.  I’m planning on leftovers at her house–this is going to be so much fun! Plus, I took out my grandmother ’s old cookbook, which I have mentioned many times before, and gave her all the tips and hints from Rose Behnke.  My biggest tip to my daughter and anyone else who is making a turkey for the first time is to make sure to take that bag of gizzards, liver, the neck and heart out of the turkey before cooking. Been there, done that. No one ever told me I had to reach inside that bird and pull all that stuff out. Yuck!

I have been spending a lot of time this month, as I’m sure many of you have, thinking of what I am most thankful for.  While it’s easy to say, family and friends (and I really am thankful for them), I have also been considering others.  Watching the news and seeing the devastation going on in California with the fires and thinking of other problem areas around our great country and the world, I am thankful for the brave men and women who put their own lives on hold to keep us safe and when the worst happens, run toward it to help. Our country is made up of so many giving individuals. I am grateful for those who pay it forward–what a terrific concept.  And, I am in awe of those I know who are struggling with health issues and the loss of loved ones, but who put a smile on and try to help others.  So, while I will be enjoying a slightly different Thanksgiving Day, I still plan to take some time to think of those who make life better for everyone.

On behalf of the entire Behnke family and staff, I wish you a safe and happy Thanksgiving. Thank you for all that you do for your families, friends and communities.

 “Gratitude can transform common days into Thanksgiving, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” — William Arthur Ward

by Stephanie Fleming, Behnke’s Vice President

Stephanie Fleming was raised at Behnke’s Nurseries in Beltsville. Her Mom, Sonja, was one of Albert & Rose Behnke’s four children. She was weeding from the moment she could walk and hiding as soon as she was old enough to run, so many weeds, so little time. Although she quickly learned how to pull out a perennial and get taken off of weed pulling duty.

This Post Has 2 Comments

  1. Dear Stephanie,
    Thank you for your lovely missives. Sappy as they are, sometimes, I always look forward to reading them. May you and your family have the best of holidays.
    Mark Grisar, local fan of yours

    1. Aww, thanks so much for taking the time to write. That’s me! Totally sappy lol…Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours too

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