“not what we say about our Blessings but how we use them, is the true measure of our Thanksgiving.” W. T. Purkiser
Thanksgiving may be my favorite holiday (or at least even with July 4th). I find that the solution to many of my problems begins with gratitude. Anger, resentment, envy, and more can often be banished simply by recounting to myself the vast list of blessings I can be grateful for. For every unmet expectation, there are a thousand things I have received that were undeserved.
So on Thanksgiving Day I like to honor the traditions of family, fellowship and feasting. This year I was making the list of things to be carefully and lovingly prepared so my 5 boys (ages 10 to 20) and various relatives from cousins to great grandma could devour them seemingly without coming up for air. As I wrote the list it reminded me of a Prix Fixe menu. One thing led to another and I ended up making my own menus to put at the place settings for our feast.
Unlike a fancy (and often overpriced) establishment, our home is a warm (read noisy and chaotic) and inviting (read we don’t turn anyone away) place. I started with a font for the menu, but realized very quickly that what got my attention in the first place was the hand penned list. So I wrote out the menu using my Lamy medium nib pen (the orange one of course) and then scanned that in and used it for the design. My printer came up with some fantastic pearlescent card stock and the result is exactly representative of the meal.
The finished piece is 4.25″ x 11″, not because it had to be, but because I find that we expect things to be whole or part of a “standard” letter sheet. It feels right when we hold it in our hand because we are used to the dimensions. Often a design wants to evoke a feeling that is unique or surprising, but I wanted to generate comfort and familiarity. The back is an adaptation of the 136th Psalm which we will read together with my father reading the verse and all of us responding with “his love endures forever.”
My youngest son and I found wonderful leaf printed paper plates and napkins and together I think it is perfect (and I won’t have to do dishes!)