Be Thankful!

Happy Thanksgiving, Twitardia!

Thanksgiving is, of course, a day of giving thanks and of coming together with those you love. It also happens to be my Twilight-iversary, as Thanksgiving weekend 2008 was when I first devoured the Saga. This year, I'm extra thankful for that lost weekend, because it led me to meet an asston of you in a little town called Forks, and gave me friendships that span great distances, but which I keep close to my heart at all times. I love you ladies.

Me with the Twitarded trinity (pre-TK), Myg, & Vitamin R

Other things for which I'm thankful, in no particular order:

- I now live less than three miles from Madison High School, where the Biology scenes were filmed.

Edward puts an end to things early.

Wait a minute... that's not right...

Stinky Bella is unappetizing to Angel Edward. Don't worry, Edward, I shower daily.

- TH is (even as I type) rehearsing a show in which he plays a character named Edward (no shit: I have my very own Edward!)

- TH (even if he wasn't playing Edward, he's my favorite)

- supportive friends and family (and kitties named Charlie)

Charlie is thankful for windows

- a home that doesn't make me or TH sad or upset or sick

- moving forward

And, of course, I'm thankful it's Thursday!
That's right, I have a drink for you on this holiday!

"Dude. Where the fuck are we?"

"This is MusingBella and TH's new place. Remember? The moving and boxes?"
"Oh yeah. Okay."

So what are we making, you wonder? I'm going to show you how to make my favorite non-coffee, non-chocolate hot Fall beverage. (A lot of qualifiers, but I don't do well picking favorites.) We're making a Chai Cider. Now, this used to be available at nationwide coffee chains, and I fell in lurve with it while I worked at them, and then they took it off the menus. They'll still make it, if you ask nicely, though. It's very simple.

Ingredient roll call:

Let's see... yup, chai and cider. We have both! We're in business.

I feel like it's missing something...

There we go - that will get me through a family holiday.
"Ta daaa!" "Ta daaa!"

Spiced Rum.
(Optional. They will probably not give you this at Starbucks, no matter how nicely you ask.)

The traditional chai cider is just half cider...

... and half chai...

Heated (the microwave is easiest)...
Wait...
Guys?

Hey, get out of there! You'll melt!

"Thanks!"
"Phew! That was a close call!"
"Yes! We are thankful you pulled us out of there in time!"

Now I can turn on the micro.
(Make sure you check for mini-Edwards, Pocket Edwards, or any Edwards at all before you turn yours on.)
Heat to taste.

And add a splash of the spiced rum at the end!

YUM!

A chai cider is spicy and warm and perfect for Fall, especially when you're having the unseasonably cold weather we're having here! Brrr! A perfect warm drink (alcoholic or no) to counteract the tryptophan sleepies.

And now, a bounty of quotes upon which you may feast!

If you count all your assets, you always show a profit. ~Robert Quillen

Cheers, Lisa!

We can always find something to be thankful for, and there may be reasons why we ought to be thankful for even those dispensations which appear dark and frowning. ~Albert Barnes

Cheers, Jen!

Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action. ~W.J. Cameron

Cheers, LivingWithEdward!
(And Cheers to Edward!)

Thanksgiving comes to us out of the prehistoric dimness, universal to all ages and all faiths. At whatever straws we must grasp, there is always a time for gratitude and new beginnings. ~J. Robert Moskin

Cheers, DangrDafne!

We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures. ~Thornton Wilder

Cheers, StarlitViolets!

Thanksgiving, man. Not a good day to be my pants. ~Kevin James

Cheers to all my lovely Twitarded friends - whether you're in this or any other photo in this post, or not. MWAH! I love you ladies hard, and your friendships mean more to me than you probably realize. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families!
Be Safe!

Cheers, SmartE!
(You didn't think I'd leave you out, did you???)
I think this may be the best Face in Hole ever made, by the way. You're welcome.

Got no check books, got no banks. Still I'd like to express my thanks - I got the sun in the morning and the moon at night. ~Irving Berlin

Edward's pissed: he was promised turkey and pumpkin pie. And his own special brand of heroin.

So, tell me, for what are you thankful this year?