Sunday 7th October 2012….a lot to be thankful for!!!!!

 

Thanksgiving Day in Canada

Thanksgiving Day in Canada has been a holiday on the second Monday of October since 1957. It is a chance for people to give thanks for a good harvest and other fortunes in the past year.

Thanksgiving Day in Canada is linked to the European tradition of harvest festivals. ©iStockphoto.com/Olga Lyubkina

What do people do?

Many people have a day off work on the second Monday of October. They often use the three-day Thanksgiving weekend to visit family or friends who live far away, or to receive them in their own homes. Many people also prepare a special meal to eat at some point during the long weekend. Traditionally, this included roast turkey and seasonal produce, such as pumpkin, corn ears and pecan nuts. Now, the meal may consist of other foods, particularly if the family is of non-European descent.

The Thanksgiving weekend is also a popular time to take a short autumn vacation. This may be the last chance in a while for some people to use cottages or holiday homes before winter sets in. Other popular activities include: outdoor breaks to admire the spectacular colors of the Canadian autumn; hiking; and fishing. Fans of the teams in the Canadian Football League may spend part of the weekend watching the Thanksgiving Day Classic matches.

Public life

Thanksgiving Day is national public holiday in Canada. Many people have the day off work and all schools and post offices are closed. Many stores and other businesses and organizations are also closed. Public transport services may run to a reduced timetable or may not run at all.

Background

The native peoples of the Americas held ceremonies and festivals to celebrate the completion and bounty of the harvest long before European explorers and settlers arrived in what is now Canada. Early European thanksgivings were held to give thanks for some special fortune. An early example is the ceremony the explorer Martin Frobisher held in 1578 after he had survived the long journey in his quest to find a northern passage from Europe to Asia.

Many thanksgivings were held following noteworthy events during the 18th century. Refugees fleeing the civil war in the United States brought the custom of an annual thanksgiving festival to Canada. From 1879, Thanksgiving Day was held every year but the date varied and there was a special theme each year. The theme was the "Blessings of an abundant harvest" for many years. However, Queen Victoria's golden and diamond jubilees and King Edward VII's coronation formed the theme in later years.

From the end of the First World War until 1930, both Armistice Day and Thanksgiving Day were celebrated on the Monday closest to November 11, the anniversary of the official end of hostilities in World War I. In 1931, Armistice Day was renamed Remembrance Day and Thanksgiving Day was moved to a Monday in October. Since 1957, Thanksgiving Day has always been held on the second Monday in October.

Symbols

Thanksgiving Day in Canada is linked to the European tradition of harvest festivals. A common image seen at this time of year is a cornucopia, or horn, filled with seasonal fruit and vegetables. This represents the "Horn of Plenty", which was a symbol of bounty and plenty in ancient Greece. Turkeys, pumpkins, ears of corn and large displays of food are also used to symbolize Thanksgiving Day.

 

 

I had my first lazy day since I arrived in SMA!!!

As I mentioned in a previous post I went to look at a Casita in the country and really liked everything about it so this morning I took Carolyn out to see it to get a second and a female opinion……she really liked it also and thinks as I do that it is the place for me…so I have put in an offer to rent!!!!

It is about ten minutes from the tennis courts and just about the same distance out and in the same direction as Linda and Guy”s casa….the road to the property is in not great condition, the only negative thing, but I will drive very slowly and most days be on the scooter.

The whole property is owned by a very nice American lady and it is a huge large house divided into three separate casita’s….it is on a half acre of land and the gardens are lovely, there is room to park Yaretzi and the scooter I have my own entrance and complete privacy and I think with a few touches and additions it will be a fine place for me to call home!!!

The Gardens…

The Casita!!

Up the stairs to a lovely terrace that has many potted plants, table and chairs and a view of the Presa (lake)…

Then a spiral staircase leading to my own roof top space!!!

The view of the lake….

This is where the sun sets so I imagine some incredible skies!!!

The entrance, terrace and steps to the roof…

Living room

View from living room

From the living room, bathroom door on left, alcove in front to bedroom and down the hall to main door and kitchen!!

A new shower curtain and window curtain and this will be the home of many baths!!!!

Bedroom with wall to wall closets on left and door to hallway on right….everywhere windows and light!!

A very functional kitchen will get a new smaller microwave…

Lake view and I even have a Tortuga pond!!!

Wi fi is included in the rent which is 435 dollars and I have my own hot water on demand system and gas tank…will try and get Satellite TV hooked up and ready to go…this is exciting!!!!

Took Carolyn for breakfast and she has some great ideas being a talented interior decorator….

Then spent most of the afternoon here..

An evening catching up on e mails and paperwork and some TV….blessings and a Happy Thanksgiving not just to my Canadian friends but to all!!!