This our hymn of grateful praise.

I meant to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving yesterday, but it was really nice to take the day completely unplugged. It was our first Thanksgiving in the new house, and although it was simple, it was so meaningful to us. I felt filled to the brim, and I hope each of you felt the same in your own homes surrounded by loved ones. Many of my sisters and brothers were spread out this year, and this is the hymn we took turns singing to each other over the phone, because you know, Little Women! …

For the beauty of the earth,
for the glory of the skies,
for the love which from our birth
over and around us lies;
Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.

For the beauty of each hour
of the day and of the night,
hill and vale, and tree and flower,
sun and moon, and stars of light;
Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.

For the joy of ear and eye,
for the heart and mind’s delight,
for the mystic harmony,
linking sense to sound and sight;
Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.

For the joy of human love,
brother, sister, parent, child,
friends on earth and friends above,
for all gentle thoughts and mild;
Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.

It’s a good one isn’t it? It sums up the words I can’t seem to formulate on my own.

(Loved having so many eager helpers. Even if it meant an extra cup of sugar got dumped into the cranberry salad.)

(Learning how to make her Aunt Maria’s homemade rolls.)

(My sister made the best Pecan Pie I’ve ever tasted.)

(Babies are a regular part of our Thanksgiving. Azelie and my delicious niece Emma Lu.)

(Somebody had a good first Thanksgiving. #milkdrunk Little lamb hat here, and leggings here.)