Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

We had a quiet day this Thanksgiving. Slept in, worked out at the gym, spent some time at the office, called family to say HT!.

Molly, Mike, the proprietor's daughter, Elena, Bob and Sandy Peace. That is a fireplace behind us, and there was a lovely fire burning in it. Elena practiced her school English on us.

Then we went out to eat with our friends and neighbors, Bob and Sandy Peace (great name, isn't it?), from North Carolina.We chose a place that Mike and I had been to twice last time we lived here (Bri and Rebecca, we took you there), but not since, "Casa Bianca" (white house, which it is), in Fonte, the village south of Paderno. The proprietress actually seemed to remember us, and fed us some of the best food we've had in Italy this trip.

This morning we woke to rain, which turned to snow! This is a first for us, as there was none of that at all in 2006. Paderno is pretty in the snow:

The palm trees outside our apartment window look a little bedraggled with snow on their heads. It was wet, won't last long, but it was kind of fun.

Also from our window, the near-by church steeple, mid-snowfall.

And now, with thanks to Ron Morey for supplying them, some quotes relevant to this great holiday:

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” — Albert Einstein
“Can you see the holiness in those things you take for granted–a paved road or a washing machine? If you concentrate on finding what is good in every situation, you will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude, a feeling that nurtures the soul.” — Rabbi Harold Kushner
“No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks”. — Unknown“What if you gave someone a gift, and they neglected to thank you for it-would you be likely to give them another? Life is the same way. In order to attract more of the blessings that life has to offer, you must truly appreciate what you already have.” — Ralph Marston
“When we become more fully aware that our success is due in large measure to the loyalty, helpfulness, and encouragement we have received from others, our desire grows to pass on similar gifts. Gratitude spurs us on to prove ourselves worthy of what others have done for us. The spirit of gratitude is a powerful energizer.” — Wilferd A. Peterson