friendsgiving on the farm

I was so excited to be included in a special friends and family Thanksgiving celebration, invited by my friend Rebecca. She invited us to her boyfriend's family's farm the Sunday after Thanksgiving for a combination oyster and clam roast and full Thanksgiving spread. 

Among other talents, Rebecca is a chef on a yacht several months of the year, so she mixed up some fancy drinks for us, of course. 

Her dad brought oysters and clams from nearby their home at the coast, and he tended the roast. 

I loved checking out the farmhouse -- the paintings, the vintage lace tablecloths, the crystal, and the collection of turkeys. 

I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I'd never shucked an oyster, and come to think of it, I still haven't. 

I had to at least sit in the driver's seat of Rebecca's "princess ride," a 1992 Range Rover. 

Matt, Rebecca's boyfriend, is a Land Rover enthusiast and collector. 

Zack and I might be a little envious of their collection . . . 

We enjoyed eating oysters and turkey, and more than that, meeting and chatting with all of the people. When I told my parents about where we were going, they found a connection to Matt's family. Our big city is also a small town. 

Thanksgiving 2014

Naturally, Thanksgiving is a time to think about what we are thankful for. The first place my mind goes is to my family and friends. Relationships matter, and I have so many good ones. 

This year I'm particularly thankful for the new men in my life -- both two legged and four legged. I wanted a dog who is an excellent companion, who would be loyal to me and follow me everywhere, and I got that in Dan. He spends his whole life just trying to be a good dog for me. 

I wasn't even looking for a man this year; in fact, I was trying my best not to catch a man, but if I had to design the perfect match for me, I couldn't have dreamed up one any better than Zack. 

All of these good gifts (James 1:17) are evidence of God's grace on me. I don't deserve any good thing, but He gives more and more. I hope that in plenty or in want, I will continue to be content (Philippians 4:11-13) because I belong to the Lord. 

My salvation is the greatest gift that I am most thankful for. I fail daily, but Jesus has already lived the perfect life that I cannot attain. He has already forgiven every sin of mine, and he gives abundant life (John 10:10), with the promise of glory. When people disappoint me, when my body fails, when someone is upset with me, when I'm broken up, all is not lost. He is still good. 

Molly Beads earrings, gift from Z // J. Crew shirt // HMD sweater from Granny // Barbour utility wax jacket // GiGi New York all in one bag // Hunter wellies

thankful FIVE on Friday

ONE | family
I am thankful that I have a loving family who lives close to me (or with me, ha!).

TWO | friends
Post college, it is definitely more difficult to make friends.  However, as time goes by, I learn more about how to be a friend and what kind of friends I need.  I am so thankful for the friends who have stuck by me through everything, especially changes in our life stages over the past few years.  (I'm singing "you find out who your friends are" in my mind.)

THREE | faith
I can't imagine going through life without faith.  Things are rough in this fallen world, but it is not my home.  No matter what's going on, I know that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

FOUR | education and career
I'm thankful that I got a great education at ECU which helped me get the best job for me right out of school.

FIVE | weekends
Although I am thankful for my job, it makes me even more thankful for weekends.  Work > graduate school.

What are you thankful for?

P.S. You can link up too for 5 on Friday here:
the good life blog
carolina charm
a. liz adventures
hello! happiness