Thanksgiving & Palm Trees In November
As a natural-born Dane and someone who grew up outside the USA, I never celebrated Thanksgiving or even really knew about the holiday before moving here. But I admit this day has grown on me over the years. I like the idea of giving thanks. It’s something I do naturally, continually (even just a few days ago!!), but sometimes it’s nice to voice those thanks in a more formal manner too. So, that’s what I do today. I take a moment to sit down, think through my life and remind myself of all the things of have to be thankful for.
And honestly, I have a lot!
My life has had it’s ups and downs, but I can truthfully say that where we are today, the life that we’re living now, the experiences we have through our RV lifestyle, the friends we’ve made, the beauty of nature we enjoy and the time we’re able to spend together are exactly where I want to be. Today I’m sitting in 80-degree weather, in the sun, next to hot springs with my furry family and palm trees all around me. Who wouldn’t be happy?
Our lifestyle and how we live may not be for everyone (in fact, I know it’s not for everyone), but for us it’s been everything we wanted and more. It’s not only helped me to expand my horizons, but it’s also taught me to simplify and enjoy the moment which, in turn, has taught me to be more thankful. A true, positive feedback circle…the best kind.
My wish is that you, in your life, are able to find that same bliss. Whether it be in your working life, your family, your travels or anywhere else, I hope that today is full of warmth and joy with many things you can be thankful for.
A hearty Thanksgiving to you all!
Amen to that, Nina! And thanks for your posts.
Happy Thanksgiving, Paul, Nina, and Polly:)
Thanks John & Pam! Enjoy your rocks in AZ (I know you’re off to see another set).
Nina
I think many of us full-timers have things to be thankful for that others simply do not. How could they? Living in boxes in crowded cities, commuting 2+ hours a day RT for work, the stress, etc., etc., etc. There are many, many things THEY have to be thankful for, too, of course, but they will never even know how much more there is. We are truly lucky that we KNOW. And for that I’m thankful.
Happy Thanksgiving to your both, and the furry critters.
I certainly believe there’s far too many people caught up in the stress of life, that never consider the alternatives, and who might very well find peace a completely different way. That said, everyone’s bliss is different, and that bliss (or the idea of it) changes throughout life. What I wanted 20 years ago is not what I want now, for example. I’m glad I looked elsewhere…and that it was possible for me to look elsewhere (financially, personally etc.). I hope everyone is able to find a path that gives them the same joy.
Nina
Yes, thankful for palms and bougainvillea, too!
Ah yes, bougainvilleas!! I do miss them. That’s one thing we don’t really see out west.
Nina
BLISS….one step above happiness. We love you Nina…
Happy Blissday to you and dear Paul.
Bliss is a pretty nice thing 🙂 I like the idea of Happy Blissday. I think I might adopt that one.
Nina
We wish you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving. Can’t begin to tell you how much you have inspired us to follow in your footsteps or should I say tire tracks. Thank you!
Very happy to hear my blog has bought joy and inspiration to you. That’s a big part of why I do it.
Nina
A very HAPPY THANKSGIVING from our RV to yours!!
Thank you! To you too!
Nina
Happy Thanksgiving, Nina, Paul, and Polly (aka Paulie)!
I know you join me in gratitude for whomever it was who invented the wheel.
Absolutely Sue….!!
Nina
Hi Nina
My wife and I met you on on Oregon Coast last fall. We travel 4-5 weeks a year in an older Roadtrek. We made your tortilla recipe yesterday (first time ever making them) just wanted to say thanks.Nice to add that to our repertoire.
David and Donna
Wonderful!! Glad you enjoyed the recipe. I have more to come.
Nina
Wishing you ever more stuff to be thankful for. I’m thankful I’ve had some wonderful visits and photo hikes with you!
Me too!! So happy we were able to meet in the blog-world Gunta. Maybe we’ll see ya later this winter in the desert.
Nina
It’s easier to be thankful while following your dream. Right now that hot spring sounds might fine.
That I do believe. I feel so thankful we’re able to do what we do right now. 20 years ago this would not have been possible for us.
Nina
We are thankful that in just a few days our big wheels are going to be rolling. Happy Thanksgiving Paul and Nina!
I bet you’re more than ready to be out of that crazy MT snow. See you down south!
Nina
Funny…Paul doesn’t look that furry. Happy thanksgiving to you too!
Depends where you look LOL….
Nina
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! I love living in the RV. Just love it. Have a great winter.
I’m with you. It’s an addictive lifestyle for those of us who love it.
Nina
Thank you for sharing your journey with us.
Good thoughts and happy you are living life joyfully. May you have many more years traveling your chosen path.
Thank you very much!
Nina
I love your “positive feedback circle.” Beautifully said and felt. Glad to know you and Paul and the Paws are in such a great spot on this reflective day!
Positive feedback circles are the best kind. When you find one, it’s like hitting the jackpot. Cultivate it, and it’ll continue to give you joy for the rest of your life.
Nina
A special Thanks to Sarah Hale, born in 1788 who advocated for 36 years to make a national Thanksgiving holiday. Beginning in 1849 she began writing an annual letter to the President. In 1863 Lincoln supported legislation and we have this national day of giving thanks. (BTW she was author of “Mary Had a Little Lamb” and an all round accomplished person).
Thank you for your wonderful blog. Hoping for many sunny days ahead for you.
Indeed!! I did NOT know she was the same person that authored “Mary Had a Little Lamb”. What an interesting little piece of history.
Nina
Happy Thanksgiving to you Nina and Paul and the other blogorinos. We have so much to be thankful for, including that we found your blog and so many others that we follow regularly. We have learned SO MUCH in a relatively short time about the full-time lifestyle. As an example, a few months ago I could not even pronounce “combine box”, and today, on Thanksgiving, I was building and wiring one as another step toward completion of our solar project.
It’s “combiner”, Kindle. Not “combine”. 🙂
Tee hee…I got it. You are becoming an RV solar/electronics wizard (well, apart from the spelling) 🙂
Nina
Shhhhh, it’ll soon get growded out there ; ) Happy thanks giving from Ida and I. Matt
Nina, I concur whole-heartedly – and it was in my darkest hour many years ago that I found out that it’s possible to be extremely, almost overwhelmingly, happy – even when you’re sad, if that makes any sense. Contentment is a condition that can permeate oneself, even though circumstances are taking you on a wild rollercoaster ride – and my conviction is that gratitude is the key, the antidote for whatever ails you. Happy Thanksgiving to you and Paul…
I totally understand your sentiment. Having lived through some dark stuff myself I know that it’s possible to find true contentment too.
Nina
Thank you for sharing.. my wife and I here in New England are counting the days down when our HR coach is out of storage. Happy Thanksgiving to you and Paul
I’m sensing some warm sun in your future. Florida winter?
Nina
Enjoy this adopted holiday… wishing both of you and your furry friends the best.
Box Canyon Mark
Thanks Mark. Maybe we’ll finally meet-up somewhere this winter.
Nina
Glad you had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day! The desert is such a beautiful place to be this time of year – and with family and friends it’s perfect 🙂
I do love the desert in winter. Couldn’t be here in the summer, but the winter is just fabulous.
Nina
I am thankful everyday for my life, my lifestyle, and every thing in-between……you just say it more poetically…Happy Thanksgiving to you and Paul…looking forward to seeing you down the road…
I am thankful for you and Paul. You inspired Mike and me to sell our house in Bend, Oregon and have no storage. We are living full-time in our RV. Even though we are new to it we are making the most of every minute. Currently in southern Arizona outside Tucson. What a beautiful desert!
WOW!! I always find it humbling to hear that my blog caused a big life change. It’s also exciting too (and a little frightening sometimes). Very happy you’re enjoying the desert. Hope your RV travels turn our to be everything you wished them to be!
Nina
Nina – you have such a positive outlook on life that it is hard for me to believe your life has ups and downs, but I realize that you are as human as the rest of us so I’ll believe you. I am truly grateful that you communicate such a positive outlook through this blog. My husband and I traveled for a year as “full-timers” and although we now live in a sticks-and-bricks home again, I live vicariously through you and other full-timers who write about your experiences. I still hope to spend a month living as a lighthouse guide in Oregon because of you! Happy Thanksgiving!
Thanks Jeanne. I’ve worked hard over my life to create a positive outlook. I went through some long & serious depression issues in my youth, but thanks to lots of work I’ve managed to move on. I can honestly say that today, most folks that meet me would see me as a fundamentally positive person & I try to bring that same spirit to the blog.
Nina
I am thankful and happy to be able to consider life on the road and to draw inspiration from your posts. I don’t know if my future is full time RV, but you’ve helped me see all sides. Thanks
Happy I’m able to give the inspiration 🙂
Nina
Happy Thanksgiving Paul & Nina. It’s ironic the original Thanksgiving was about Humiliation and Fasting!
Actually I don’t see that as too ironic at all. As I understand the history Thanksgiving was always about thanking God for sending help and bounty (originally by the Pilgrims) and “humiliation” was not about groveling, but about recognizing God’s greatness in all things. The idea of giving thanks was central to all of this.
I personally don’t have the religious links, but I do give thanks in that same spirit.
Now the fasting…that’s another matter 🙂
Nina
I agree with you 100%. It’s the fasting. I forgot to say very thankful for your blog!
We are right there with you Nina & Paul….. finally 🙂
Nice to see your blog running & you on the road. Looks like you finally started this year (full-time)? Hope you’re enjoying it!!
Nina
We do Thanksgiving every year in our RV at Dumont Dunes in Death Valley.
I wish their was a practical guide for cooking in an RV oven.
Either the items don’t fit,, or no matter how hard you try,, your food is either undercooked or the bottom badly burnt.
We’ve tried the double pans, stacking pans, moving the racks about.
We use a boneless turkey turkey breast and are just now figuring out how to cook it correct (covered in a pan with lots of broth to steam it and prevent bottom burning.
Six RV’s and you’d think we’d figure it all out by now.
We pretty much cook everything at home,, then re-heat it when in the RV.
If this is all we have to worry about life is good.
Cooking in the propane oven takes some adjustments. To prevent bottom burning of meats we’ve found that a ceramic tile or pizza stone will distribute the heat. For baking I’ve been using silicone baking sheets (I really like the Silipat type) which are doing a fine job of preventing bottom burns on baked good.
Nina
It is a wonderful lifestyle. We are very thankful to have met all of you in our travels.
Thanks to you for sharing all you do – I have a dream of the full-time RV life and your blog has been so helpful. Wishing you a wonderful holiday season!
Hello, sure hope you’re Thanksgiving was wonderful. We cooked for 19 family members. Next year we should be on the road for Thanksgiving. Planning on leaving in April to become full time.
In trying to make plans, we were wondering if you have spent any time in Yosemite Nat’l Park. Couldn’t find any posts regarding this. Wanting to go in May. Waiting for that magic date when we can make reservations. Any suggestions? We’re small, 22′ travel trailer.
No, we’ve not stayed at Yosemite in the rig. Actually we mostly avoid the National Parks because of our doggie (no dogs allowed on trails in NP’s). I’ve had friends who’ve been to Yosemite and they liked the SKP park (Park of the Sierras). It’s 25 miles from the south entrance and they typically offer some kind of “stay deal” which makes it very attractive.
Nina