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a thanksgiving fete.

10.10.2012


The morning of, we gathered our passports and you made oatmeal in that particular way that you do. "Bales on the bottom" (mini-wheats). Porridge on top. A spooned-out hole in the middle for milk. Brown sugar and raisins like freckles on your always warm skin. A cup of coffee in a clear mug. "I like to see what I'm drinking," you say. And you don't let me help you, because you're the sweetest kind of stubborn.

We crossed into America in the late afternoon, to celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving. Mostly because 1) we have family there, but also because 2) we're a little strange and we take pride in not making a whole lot of sense.

"Is that a bathtub?"
"Yeah."
"We should pull it behind the tractor."
"YES."

It was then that I realized (for the umpteenth time that evening) how incredible and slightly redneck my family is. And somewhere between the first flame and the second serving at the tailgate and the third bathtub ride and the fourth firework and the eighty-seventh little I love you more, my thankfulness multiplied. 

And today, I'm back to being a stressed out senior. The sky is a white grey and the leaves that were ablaze just last week are now saturated in snow puddles, ceasing to crunch underneath my weight. It's a far cry from the fete that was Thanksgiving weekend. Still, I am thankful.

42 comments:

  1. I used to be so jealous (in a good way, if that's possible) of your amazing photography and writing skills (and your gorgeousness). But now, though I still think the same of your talents, I'm just incredibly inspired by you and your work. God gave you some amazing talents, and you've used them well. Keep it up, doll.

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  2. So I can take this to mean that Canadian Thanksgiving was recently. It looks like you had a fun, if somewhat redneck, time. I love those llamas! Or are they alpacas?

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    1. Yes, our Thanksgiving was on Monday. We celebrated all weekend, though (in all our redneck glory).
      They're alpacas! Sweetest creatures. Not as friendly as llamas, but sweet nonetheless.

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  3. oh my gosh, these pictures are absolutely lovely! you definitely captured life's little moments, love it.

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  4. i am in love with those canadian skies of yours.
    i'm also really jealous that you get to properly pig-out a month before us americans do.
    i'm also laughing really hard that you celebrated in america. (we're just too awesome to resist, yes?)
    seriously i love this. now i can't wait for thanksgiving.

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  5. Gorgeous, Abbey. Your posts never fail to make me happy :)

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  6. so perfect :) Happy Canadian Thanksgiving to you! :)

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  7. this is so perfect and beautiful. absolutely love your words and photos, as always. ps. next time you cross the border, come visit. :)

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  8. Love this Abbey. I just love how your pictures are so beautiful and tell a story.

    It's crazy how we can look forward so much to something and then it goes by so fast. But we can hold onto the memories forever, and I love how that's what you capture with your pictures.

    Blessings!

    ~Madi

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  9. lovely abbey! i love the first picture and the kitty on the ice.
    and how far away are those alpacas from winnipeg??
    i would love to visit...my family stayed at a bed-and-breakfast-alpaca-farm on the east coast lots of years ago and actually got to witness the birth of a baby alpaca. haha, i don't have to relive that experience completely, but i think they are pretty beautiful creatures!

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  10. families that don't make sense are kind of the best. and Abbey, you continually blow me away with your photography skills. seriously girl. joyeuse fête ma cherie! et cette année ? ça va très bien se passée, tu vas voir. :)

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  11. this may sound so strange, but I'm ever so glad Canada has its own Thanksgiving too. my sister is living in Quebec for a couple months, and it would have been incredibly sad for her to miss Thanksgiving altogether. that being said, you've officially made me crave pumpkin pie. and your fireside + laughing photos are the best.

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  12. these are incredible, abbey.
    p.s. you are your toque. heh ;)

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    1. I'm sorry... that was supposed to say "you and your toque." oops :)

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  13. your every post makes me long to live in Canada!

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  14. love these! the blue sky is gorg!and the water is so blue. awh, thinking of you as you go through a tough school year! xoxo :)

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  15. these photos are AMAZING. i think my favorite is the one with the cat looking out over the water.

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  16. exquisite. beautiful words and photos. the shots of the lake are my favorite. xo

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  17. 1). I want an Alpaca.
    2). I want to have a ride in a bathtub.
    3). Can I go live in Canada?
    4). Your pictures are stunning.

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  18. Wonderful photos that fill my heart with love. Wish we could have celebrated with you lovelies. I miss our family!

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  19. I get so excited about your blog posts. Your photos are the bestest.

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  20. These are amazing photographs of your family, Abbey. Each one contains a story, a life, a beauty in each one. What a great talent you have in the art of photography! :)

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  21. Enough with the alpacas and the perfect Canadian sunlight and your ridiculous photogenic life. Abbey, I can't deal with it anymore.
    I am going to have to buy a plane ticket and come see you this weekend.
    (at least, I can dream...)

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  22. I love pictures 6 & 7...I mean, I love them all but those two just...gah! :) Gorgeous! I love that Canadian thanksgiving is in October, because it really starts to feel like fall after thanksgiving. =)

    P.S. Your hats are da bestest. <3

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  23. Your pictures are incredible! :)

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  24. Those alpacas are the cutest ever, oh my goodness. You make everything look so beautiful. Hope you had a great Thanksgiving! You should come back to the States next month for round two. ;)

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  25. canadian thanksgiving is the best. i totally love all the pictures you post of your family. xo

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  26. Oh, my heart is full. Brimming. Wish we could have been there.
    Thank you for the photos, as usual!
    (And for the laugh!)

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  27. Three cheers for Canadian Thanksgiving, hey?

    You and Chloe look fabulous in your fall coats. Always stylish.
    I love these photos, Abbey. Great job.

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  28. your photos and words made me smile. and yay for bathtub rides! :D i´ve just watched the video and it´s magical, also you chose a really beautiful song!

    have a nice weekend!

    stella x

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  29. Alpacas! How cute; I love alpacas. These are really exceptional photos. Wonderful!

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  30. Wonderful. Your photos speaks for themselves. great skill ! STUNNING
    Interesting blog, I really enjoyed browsing it :)

    Blog: Oh it's Juno

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  31. these photos ooze with autumn loving.

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  32. these photos were breathtaking. i don't even know which one is my favorite, i love them all so much. they have such a cozy autumn and family-oriented feel to them. spectacular job, abbey.

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  33. Oh, this was just perfect. Thanks for the great photos...Amy told me about the bath tub rides, but your photos and video made it that much better!!! I love our family!! Even if we are rednecks...which I don't think we are...!

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  34. the lamas! oh my goodness so cute. happy belated thanksgiving :)

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  35. ahh, that looks so incredibly fun abbey! th way your capture moments in your life is so beautiful :)

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  36. SO. I'm really late to read this, but your shots are breathtaking and your words inspiring. AMAZING JOB. xo

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  37. what a perfect little place- canada

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