Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
I am so thankful for so many things but primarily I am
thankful for all of you. Thank you for your support, your generosity, your
kindness, your advice, and your love. Yes, I can feel your love all the way
over here in Paris. In the years past, I admit, I really didn’t consider being
thankful all that much. I would usually just have Thanksgiving dinner, fight with my family, say a
prayer and get ready to Christmas shop the next day. I still do that but now I
stop to think that I am truly grateful and thankful for so many things. Do you
want to know what I’m thankful for?
I am thankful that my daughter is strong. I am thankful that
she is funny. I am thankful that she is tender, shy and doesn’t take 500
selfies of herself and post them on social media. I am thankful that she likes
to cook. I am thankful that she is smart and witty and not a moron. I am
thankful that she values family and loves traditions.
I am thankful for my husband. I am thankful that he wakes up
five times during the night to move my legs. I am thankful that he still thinks
I’m pretty. I am thankful that he only annoys me part of the time. I am
thankful that we like to do everything together. I am thankful that he brings
me surprises every day. I am thankful for his OCD that causes him to overly
organize our apartment.
I am thankful for my friends. I am thankful for all the
craziness, the drama, the love, the laughter, the tears, the cigarettes and the
wine.
I am thankful for my friends who act like my family… Jenny,
Gage, Sabena, Yolanda, Dfoz, Gigi, Bella, Anwar, Susan, Sarah, Diandra, Hawk,
Hudson, Imara, Taren, Allegra, Ursula and Madison, Debbie, Kelsey, Colton, Mer,
Melinda, Yvonne, Christy, my sweet Susie and John Claude, Tom… All of you guys.
I am thankful for all of my nieces and nephews. I am
especially thankful that my nephew Cody has become the most amazing adult.
I’m thankful for my cousins… Well, most of them.
I’m thankful for my sister even though she doesn’t like
antiques.
I am thankful for my mother who has taught me everything
even though she’s a tad bit psycho.
I am thankful that everyone loves Gracie and will raise her
and take care of her if I am not here.
I am thankful for Gracie’s father, Dylan, because he is
awesome. I am thankful for Gracie’s stepmothers, Augusta and Jessica, because
they love Gracie. I am thankful for Gracie’s other father, John, because he
adores her. I am grateful that Gracie’s grandparents think that she is the
greatest gift on earth.
I’m especially thankful for Tom because he is a therapist
and my friend and calls me every single day to make sure I laugh and am not
suicidal. :-)
I am thankful for my new remarkably wonderful friend Rex
because we have a shared sense of humor and because all of his emails are
grammatically correct. I am thankful that he cares so much about me.
I am thankful that my caregivers haven’t killed me.
I am thankful for my three friends who have ALS as well.
Thank you for understanding the devastation, the frustration, the sadness, the
embarrassment, the helplessness and the sheer terror of all of this.
I am thankful for my cat, Frances, even though she ignores
me 90% of the day.
I am thankful that I have a pretty apartment. I am thankful
that I am lucky enough to live in Paris.
I am thankful that my doctor prescribes plenty of crazy
pills for me.
I am thankful for American grocery stores in Paris.
I am thankful that I have American iTunes so I can watch The
Real Housewives.
I am thankful for Picard.
I am thankful for all of my doctors…all 25 of them.
I am thankful for my gorgeous male nurse, Pierre. I am
thankful for my gorgeous kinesiologist, Paul. Thank you for not being ugly.
I am thankful for my new caregivers, Ayra and Victor. Thank
you for not being stupid.
I am thankful that I have woken up every day for the past
four years with a smile on my face even though I know the challenges that I
face every day. Even though my heart is broken, I am thankful that I have had
44 glorious years of my life with my friends, family, Gracie and David. Happy
Thanksgiving everyone!
They is? Well, regardless, thanks for the shout out. I daresay I speak for all of your friends and family when I say it is we who should be thanking you for the reminder that life is so precious and we mustn't squander it. Thanks, too, for your acerbic wit. I've spit out my coffee more than once as I laughed at something outrageous you've written. We all love you, Eleanor. Thanks for making our lives so much brighter.
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving! Do you know how much I adore you? This much! XOXO
DeleteHappy Thanksgiving!! Beautiful post as usual. xoxo
ReplyDeleteSince you wrote anonymously, I'm going to go ahead and assume that you are Princess Caroline of Monaco. :-) Happy Thanksgiving to you as well. Give my best to Stephanie and Albert. :-) XOXO
DeleteFirst I was in tears and now I'm laughing so loud that my dog came checking on me. Thank you so much Ellie XO
DeleteDear Ellie,
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post - I am sure that everyone listed is just as thankful for you!
Among the many people that I am thankful for, I include you and your blog - every entry leaves a smile on my face and the occasional tear in my eye.
Wishing you and your loved ones a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Jennifer
- writing from a snowy Princeton, NJ
Dear Jennifer, you are so lucky you have snow! It just makes Thanksgiving perfect. Thank you for your kind words. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! XOXO
DeleteThank-you! Just thank-you for the most perfect reminder. Many blessings for a wonderful Thanksgiving! Barbara
ReplyDeleteDear Barbara, many blessings to you as well for a happy happy Thanksgiving! XOXO
DeleteI think I can speak for MOST of us that WE are THANKFUL WE found YOU!
ReplyDeleteYolanda's,cranberry mold MADE.......CHECK.
Pecan Pie in the oven.......CHECK.
Potatoes boiling......for CASSEROLE.CHECK.
Took a short break all this done my 10 AM!!!!Now off to make Pumpkin CHEESECAKE!
HAPPY HAPPY DAY..............sending you WISHES that the RAPLHIE MENU will be just as good as your MOTHER'S.Well, we know that will not be true but WE CAN HOPE!!
XOXOXO
Elizabeth! I am so happy that you are making everything! The cranberry is my favorite, Yolanda's also. I am so glad that we have met and I hold you so dearly in my heart. You are definitely one-of-a-kind and I am lucky to call you a friend. Happy happy Thanksgiving! Take pictures of your dinner! XOXO
DeleteLooks like a great meal at Contessa's! WOW!!! Thankful and grateful, I am keeping positive and living in the present, (certainly a practice I have to remind myself of when I get blue and lonely, ha ha ha), that I found you and your blog, so much fun and truly helps me out here being totally solo; colors, sky, ocean, smells, and love, that feeling of love, ooh la la!!! have a great day at RL tomorrow, oh la la again……I might make a bourbon pecan pie recipe from a magazine I love, "Garden and Gun", soul of the south! ha ha ha
ReplyDeleteXOXO Cheers!!!!!!!! wink wink! Suzanna
Dear Suzanna, OMG, I love Garden & Gun! It is a fantastic magazine, despite the title. My sister lives in the South and we always laugh about how good the magazine is with the worst title! Bourbon pecan pie will be a hit! Save me a bite! So happy you like the blog. Bravo to you for keeping positive and living at the present. XOXO happy Thanksgiving!
DeleteEllie, You bring love, laughter and great humor to all readers. Remarkable. I am so very thankful that I found you. All the best. Happy Thanksgiving from Susan in Carlisle, MA (It is snowing outside and looks like Christmas! We have about 2 inches now with more to come.)
ReplyDeleteDear Susan, I am so jealous that you have snow for Thanksgiving! That just makes it perfect, like the movies! So happy you like the blog. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! XOXO
DeleteMy dear Ellie,
ReplyDeleteI am thankful that I found you this year and your wonderful blog. Your post was so lovely, and I am not surprised that you have so many people that you love and, I'm sure, love you back in spades.
Your naked honesty, snark and humor have inspired me to resist my own limitations. I am enriched to have discovered your writings.
Have a marvelous Thanksgiving!
xoxo
Joanne
Dear Joanne, geez Louise, that was a sweet comment to wake up to! Thank you! When you give love, you get love, so I am lucky. Bravo to you for resisting your limitations! Remember, life is short, so go for it. Happy happy Thanksgiving. XOXO
DeleteDear Ellie,
ReplyDeleteThank you so very much for your creative, thoughtful, funny and touching posts. So appreciate all that you have to offer and for keeping me mindful too!
A Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving to you and yours.
Warm wishes from Boston.
Carol
P.S. Like some other folk, found you via "Habitually Chic". Thank you, thank you, Heather!
Dear Carol, thank you so much for your kind words. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving as well! XOXO
DeleteHappy Thanksgiving Ellie! Amongst the many many things I am thankful for this year, I am definitely thankful to have found your blog. It is a breath of sunshine in the grey boringness of the blogosphere. In fact, I am going to say so at our table when it is my turn for saying what I am thankful for. So there, now you have made it to our Thanksgiving table.
ReplyDeleteI know you are fully aware of how fabulous you are, but it can never hurt to hear it again: Ellie, you are fabulous.
With much Aloha from Hawaii (before you roll your eyes, no, it is not cheesy to say aloha when live in HI. Here it comes form the heart. It is indeed cheesy to say it for tourists, or worse, people who attend awful tacky luau theme parties).
Well happy Thanksgiving to you too in Hawaii! I love love love Hawaii. My cousin is half Hawaiian. Hawaii is where I am most at peace. I am so excited to be thought of at your Thanksgiving table. Thank you so much. By the way, I don't think I'm fabulous, only partially fabulous, the rest of the time I mostly think I'm annoying. :-) Happy Thanksgiving!
DeleteDear Ellie,
ReplyDeleteI have been addicted to your blog for a while now...mainly because I just love your passion for life, but there are a couple of other reasons: My boys had a caregiver that was diagnosed with ALS; he out lasted them and changed all of our lives along the way. But then again, that goes without saying. My boys (Will and John) were born with Hunter Syndrome (you can look that up if you want). They were born three years apart and died at 18 years and 16 year old, respectively. They were drop dead gorgeous (not to most as the syndrome progressed, but that was their problem).
I adore your aesthetic, your style, your wit, your courage (BTW, Courage is the motto of Hunter Syndrome/MPS). Anyway, I feel a connection in many ways; if I share them all, it might sound creepy.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and you family. May God continue to bless you. Enjoy every second.
Laura
Dear Laura, my heart is broken for you for the loss of your children, Will and John. I have a incredible soft spot for children and I always tell myself that when I pass away, my new job in heaven will be to watch over children. So sorry about your children's caregiver as well. It is true, ALS teaches you a lot. You, my friend, are the one with courage. I will keep you in my heart. Love, Ellie
DeleteOmigod. Courage. I don't think I have it in me. When you get to heaven you will do a wonderful job!
DeleteI have an important message from my mother that she told me when I was about 13 (he had me at 40 which was a scandal in the neighborhood!!!)
She said...."When I am gone; if there is something you really need: ask me! I will run from one end of heaven to the other to provide it to you!!" What a gift it has been! I have ben very careful not to be careless about what I ask!
5 years ago or something; our pond was drying up,.... and I went outside and said....."Mommy.....I really need rain....the ducks; the fish..we all need rain.....the pond is my heart......")
It started raining the next day.......and it did not stop for 17 days!!!
We are in a terrible drought again. I think I just knew not to ask that again. so I asked my husband to get the pond "lined"; the water table has dropped 5 feet!!
What a gift my mother gave me.....think about it! I know my mother is still with me...every day.....and I talk to her!
(Don't forget Stephen Hawking.....he is 72 or something..given 2 years 30 years ago!) isn't it the same thing??
I adore you....and I did the second I met you!!! Remember??
Penny
ps no more "pass away" stuff. I learned in New Orleans.....the expression is (and it is the correct one for people like us) "go up" We will " go up" And straight up!!!
No question!!!
I adore that expression! And the thought of it!!!!
On this snowy Thanksgiving morning I am grateful for so much, not the least of which is your blog. I've incorporated some of the recipes you've posted into the dinner I will serve today. Nancy
ReplyDeleteDear Nancy, oh I am so excited you are cooking some of the recipes for your Thanksgiving! I hope you love them as much as we do. Happy happy Thanksgiving! XO
DeleteDear Ellie - Happy Thanksgiving! I enjoyed your post today as I always do. I am thankful HC mentioned your blog. Apart from very many other things, I am thankful for your humour and your impeccable sense of good taste.... Best wishes Ann
ReplyDeleteDear Ann, so glad you like the post. I am thankful for all of you as well. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! XOXO
DeleteI thank Heather at "Habitually Chic" for leading me to you, and I thank you with all of my heart for sharing yourself on this blog you have created. This post of your 'thanks' is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteLike many others here, I somehow -- oddly -- feel a connection to you though I realize that's impossible. Perhaps it's the ALS impact (my beautiful grandmother had ALS back in the 80's...)? Whatever it is, I would like you to know that you inspire me, daily, with your wit and perseverance -- and I wish you a great day, Michelle
Dear Michelle, so glad you like the blog… I feel a connection to all of you as well. So sorry about your grandmother. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! XOXO
DeleteMay God bless you beautiful Eleanor xxxx
ReplyDeleteDear Ellie,
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving! I thank you for another wonderful post to wake up to, and I am thankful for Heather also, for introducing all of us to you. I've said before how delightful it is to find a new post in my email inbox in the morning, like a gift! I hope you have a wonderful time today at Ralph's.
This morning I'm heading out on a road trip with friends, driving from Maryland down the coast to the Outer Banks in NC - we'll cook after we get there - but first I'll go stand at the ocean's edge, and think of all I'm thankful for...
I'll also be sending my best wishes to you across the Atlantic. Good friends, both old and new, are a treasure to be thankful for, and I count you as one, even though though we've never met.
xo, Catherine
Dear Catherine, your Thanksgiving sounds wonderful. Have a safe trip and yes, we are friends. Most definitely. Happy happy Thanksgiving!
DeleteDear Ellie- having a cup of tea reading your Blog, laughing and crying like I usually do! Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us, you are hilarious, brave and honest. I really appreciate your openness and the beautiful things you show your readers through your writing and pictures. I think of what you and your family have to deal with often and try to bring your lessons into my own life, in particular to not be a idiot and take things for granted or worry about having things be perfect and miss out on all the good stuff.
ReplyDeleteI need to go online and get your books, they look fabulous.
I hope today is a good day for you, full of family, friends and of course delicious food!
Happy Thanksgiving from the snowy, picturesque Pennsylvania countryside!
Rosemary
PS - my family dresses up with theme Thanksgivings like a giant costume party each year. It started years ago because a few family members were sick and we needed to just try and be flexible and make it fun and is totally hilarious and random...not sure if it is always chic ha but it is a total riot and I feel like you would appreciate :)
Dear Rosemary, your family dresses up for Thanksgiving in costumes! I am definitely coming to your house next year! I love that! I heard you are having a beautiful snowy Thanksgiving in Pennsylvania. Thanksgiving and snowy Pennsylvania? Doesn't get better than that.! So jealous! I hope you have a wonderful day with your awesomely cool family. XOXO
DeleteHappy Thanksgiving, Eleanor. You are so courageous in print...and I am sure you are doubly so in real life. I hope your family enjoyed dinner at RL.
ReplyDeleteDear Phoebe, if you think I'm courageous in print and in real life… you should see me underwater! :-)
DeleteI hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! XOXO
Dear Ellie,
ReplyDeleteI am grateful for you and your amazing posts. My grandmother's name is also Eleanor ...and she is the most amazing woman in the world. At 93 she can no longer come to spend the holidays with my family, and i miss her so as now I am left to do all of the planning and oversee the family dramas on my own. If i had a girl I was going to name her Eleonora ( but i had 2 boys). I think you and my grandmother are so very similar in many ways , and I love reading your wit as hers is not what it used to be. May God Bless you today and everyday. I hope your french turkey is fabulous ����a votre sante,
Nathalie
Dear Natalie, when I was young, I detested my name, Eleanor. It's very difficult to be a young girl with a name like Eleanor. But now that I am older, I appreciate its beauty and classicism. I have begged my daughter if she has a little girl one day to name her Eleanor, but she has refused. It's definitely a tough name. But, I am happy to have the same name as your grandmother. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! XOXO
DeleteWell, the name "Eleanor" is still around. I have an almost two year old granddaughter, "Eleanor Jeanne". We call her "Eleanor"; no nicknames have developed yet.
DeleteI hope no nicknames developed for your granddaughter. Mine is Ellie, and I hate that as well. :-)
DeleteEllie, you have been on my mind ALL DAY LONG. And then to find this wonderful post...that I should not have read while in public because, of course...it moved me to tears. Ehhh oui...but you would have to have a heart of stone not to! Your beauty shines so brightly through all of it.
ReplyDeleteI sat down this morning and gave my Thanks and yes, you were most certainly a part of that. Actually, I feel that I have a lot more gratitude in my life since I started reading you - call it the Ellie Effect. :)
Add me to the list of people sending Love to you and yours from all around the world. And I see here in the comments that there are a lot of people saying "Thanks, Heather!" Wow, you are welcome everyone! What? You mean it isn't me they are talking about? Oh. ;) hehe
I am so excited and can't wait to hear about your dinner!! Hooray!!! Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy happy Thanksgiving Heather. I know a lot of Heather's and you are my favorite. XOXO
DeleteAdmittedly, Heather is not the best 'prenom' - mine was chosen by my Grandmother to give credit to my Scottish ancestors including my cranky Great Uncle who would give us a Scottish Kiss by pulling us to him with one hand on our noses and the other by the ear! Ouch! While he drove me crazy I can say that I do have redhead loyalty from that part of the family. I hope that you had a fantastic evening. Inspired by you and La Contessa, we cooked a bit, gave more thanks and had a lovely time. Gros Bisous!
DeleteI too am thankful that I have found you via Have Some Decorum.
ReplyDeleteYours is the only blog that I get excited to read.
I love everything about you. Thank you for sharing your journey.
Much love,
Therese
Dear Therese, that is so sweet of you to say! But I'm laughing because if you really knew me I'm sure you wouldn't love everything about me. I can be totally annoying. :-) I hope you have a great Thanksgiving! XO
DeleteHi Ellie. i'm writing from South Africa so we don't celebrate Thanksgiving. But I know all about it because my best friend lives in the Hamptons and she always fills me in about what she's cooking and she sends pics of the table etc. My husband and I were in Paris a few weeks ago and had dinner at the Ralph Lauren restaurant. Hope you have a stunning dinner. I look forward t reading about it. I love your blog and I'm always so happy when I see a post in my inbox. Karen xx
DeleteHiya Ellie, just had to say, I woke up this morning as I always check in here, and you had sent me a message! YOU made my day and my heart is so touched, I got tears in my eyes. I am an empath personality. I agree, not fond of the name either "Garden & Gun", funny you mentioned that, jarred me actually, 6 issues a year! However, it is fabulous & loving we both think so, why I feel part of your circle. I'm so silly….PS I have to practice living in the present; being alone in the universe I do horribly alone…I do it, but not my joy! Here in Santa Rosa Beach, Fl., the weather is perfect, cool, breezy, all needed is a tissue paper cashmere sweater today! Gorgeous….Love from my heart to yours! XOXO suzanna
ReplyDeleteI love you! I know we would be such good friends because we think alike. You are wonderful and thinking of you helps me realize I am not weird. There are people in this world like me like me!
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your ALS.
Enjoy Ralph's! So glad you got in today!
There are few words, really, except I am thankful for you and the important things you remind me of, every day. I hope you've had a great Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I just ordered the Christmas book! So excited.
ReplyDeleteLove the items you mentioned from Koziel. I ordered two door decors and they are perfect!
From Paris to Florida poof!
XXOO
I am thankful for you, Ellie, Happy Thanksgiving! xoxoxo
ReplyDeleteDear Ellie, It is true that when I see a new post of yours I don't even check to see what else is going on in my cyberspace world. And that is usually before five in the morning. It is also true that I love that you would admit that you like those silly, but very entertaining 'Housewife" shows.
ReplyDeleteI have shed a few tears and I have laughed out loud while reading your blog posts and I have tried a couple of your recipes from your Mothers cookbook. What else does a country girl need? Thank you for being you.
Hi Ellie,
ReplyDeletehappy thanksgiving. I've always thought it a lovely tradition. Perhaps I shall have to start my own over here in Australia. Enjoy your lunch,can't wait to hear all about it. Lots of love,Katrina xxx
Thank you for the full spectrum that you give us, Ellie. You are magnificent!
ReplyDeleteEllie, you are a rare, wonderful human being. We in blogland are so grateful for your presence in our lives. Your beautiful energy travels all across the globe, thank you for sharing your life with us….your many many nosey neighbours! Pointing out the obvious, your family and friends are truly blessed. Well, we all are:) I can't wait to get my Christmas cookbook in the mail. I went for hard copy this time because I am a loser and couldn't figure out how to access the first book that I bought in digital format! Ha! Thank you Thank you Thank you et Merci Beaucoup! xob
ReplyDeleteEllie, Happy Thanksgiving! So... grateful to have found your blog. Actually, my husband and 23 year old son enjoy your posts, too. We have laughed and well, you know, felt sadness. Helps me put things into perspective and not sweat the small stuff which I have to work on every day!!
ReplyDeleteRenee
I am thankful for you and your wisdom and honesty. You give me a perspective check every time I read your posts. I mean it sincerely! Happy thanksgiving to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteI am dying to hear how Dinner at Ralph Lauren's was for you and your family. Since I cooked for 30 last year, my husband took me out to dinner this year. It was on the beach in Pensacola, FL (since we just moved here). But in my dream world we were at Ralph's in Paris. Can't wait for you to share....
ReplyDeleteReporting IN...........on TURKEY DAY at MY HOUSE.
ReplyDeleteHands down BEST dinner I have ever prepared..............I did forget to serve the soup.......BUT that wasNOT in YOUR cookbook so I think It was a sign!My entire FAMILY of MEN raved about the dinner.......I even got a TEXT later last night saying GREAT JOB from the 27 year old SON!I cannot wait to EAT the entire meal again tonight!!!
Just a note to those who didNOT make the purchase...........it is worth EVERY penny!I will be on pins and needles for the CHRISTMAS BOOK to arrive...................
I hope your dinner at RALPHIES..........was EXQUISITE!
PS.I just tried to call you and it wouldn't go through!I will try again.........I need to say THANK YOU!!!!!XOXO
Ellie, I am truly thankful to have found you and your blog this year. You are a precious gift and remind me to be grateful for each day. Wishing you many more Thanksgivings Ellie.xo Kim from California
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome post. Thank you, Ellie. :)
ReplyDelete