Christmas at the Scotkas

Enjoyed a wonderful Christmas with family. Thanks Mom and Al for coming up to join in the festivities! We loved having you!

Sampling the freshly made dona salsa

Blizzard of 2017

Snow. A rare treat for us Central Texans. We were dusted with an inch or so. This is our Winter Wonderland on the backyard. Yes, it melted by mid day. But we enjoyed it while it lasted!

The year in Review- 2017 Highlights

Kelsey started working at Juiceland in January. 

Nathan turned 21! Pictured here with girlfriend Reagan.

AJ bought a wave runner!

Many hours at the lake this year.

Trip to Universal Studios to see Harry Potter attractions. Here is Kelsey's first reaction to Diagon Alley!

Our 28th anniversary in South Padre.

I turned 50 this year and celebrated with friends at the Oasis.

While in Florida- Sasquatch sighting Coco Beach. 

My lake buddy Shadow. 11.5 years

Our "non traditional" Thanksgiving Day was spent on the trail around Lake Georgetown.

Giving Thanks

The Christmas decorations are out in the neighborhood. Radio playing Christmas music. Christmas sales have begun. Is it December?

Nope. Thanksgiving.

Such an overlooked holiday that just blends right into Christmas. We cook all day, eat a big meal, maybe watch some football and then get ready for Christmas. What happened to actually taking a day out to show gratitude?

This year, since I was on call, we were landlocked. It was just the four of us for Thanksgiving. So we had a family meeting and decided to do something a little "non-traditional" for Thanksgiving this year.

We got everyone out on a beautiful day hike along the San Gabriel River/Goodwater Loop Trail along Lake Georgetown. It was relatively quiet- a few other nature lovers. But for the most part we had the trail to ourselves. We chatted, laughed, found our first geocache. Since my kids are adults, we don't see much of them these days. They are busy with school, work, and their own lives. But I loved our time out there on the trail. Feeling really grateful for these important people in my life.

We did come home in time to heat up a previously smoked turkey, a home-made pot of pinto beans and some store-bought tamales. Add a couple veggies and a salad, and there was dinner. No fuss, no muss. We ended our day with a fire in the outside firepit under the stars on a cool but not cold evening. A vegan apple cobbler topped off our quiet night.

As I headed to bed that evening, I thought for the first time in a long day, I had a Thanksgiving Day truly full of thanks.