From our little sanctuary by the lake, with 70 degree days, we scooted up I-95 to Silver Spring MD, just outside of Washington DC, for a family get together.

The weather was perfect and we sat outside to soak in some sun…

… while our beautiful daughter in law Michelle expertly slit the tops to prep them for cooking.

There is something highly nostalgic about Chestnuts during the holidays, and our analytical bunch decided that if you had Chestnuts on a holiday when you were young, the taste would immediately take you back to warm childhood memories.

Michelle’s culinary expertise didn’t let us down.  She slit them just perfectly so we could peel them to get to the sweet nutty goodness.

Here they are ready for roasting.  We decided to do them two different ways.  Boiled in salted water for 20 mins and roasted in an oven at 425 degrees for 20-30 mins.

Our team of analytics concluded that if you had them one way when you were a child, then you would prefer them that way, but there were nice qualities to each.

Angie enjoyed basking in the sun with us while we chatted and patted her.  She met two other golden retrievers next door and delighted in a few turkey and salmon scraps from our delicious meal cooked by our charming host, Laszlo, who was a whirling dervish in the kitchen.

I find myself being thankful for such rich life experiences, the ability to create beauty and celebrate the miracle of nature, and for the wonderful people I have had the privilege to meet along the way.

Wherever you are, however you spend it, I hope your day of thanks is/was wonderful.