Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!  This weekend has been a wonderful time of relaxation and adventures. The lake is completely frozen over now and we are enjoying watching the kids zoom around it on their four wheelers and skidoos.  Next weekend we will be heading out to Aubrey lake on skidoos to go ice fishing.  

Yesterday Jenn and I walked across the lake to the Coop to buy some vegetables for our roommate dinner.  Jenn really wanted brussle sprouts with dinner, but we were both super doubtful that there would be any in the store. To our surprise they were there!  A true thanksgiving miracle.  

Our walk to the Coop gave us a small taste of what the coming months are going to look like.  The temperature has dropped noticeably this past week and many layers are now required when going out.  The snow here is much different than snow in BC.  It is so dry.  It actually reminds me a lot of sand.  When you walk through it each grain shifts by itself.  

In the afternoon the whole community gathered for a thanksgiving feast.  Jenn, Louie, and I were given the honour of serving the elders and community members.  Being at the feast gave me a taste of home.  We are known and trusted by the families.  The small children look to us much like my nieces and nephew do.  It brings my heart so much joy to my heart to share a meal with them.  

Colville Lake is rich in tradition and values the role of the Elders.  At the feast the Elders say a prayer and are served first.  

Louie is the JK and K teacher at Colville Lake School and she is AMAZING!  She crafted this beautiful cake for the community.  One of the first things that Martin told me when I moved to Colville is to beware of Louie's cakes.  They are SO delicious, but they will expand the waist line... haha! 

After our community feast we came home and prepped for a roommate thanksgiving dinner.  We had all the comforts from home (minus the turkey).  

Martin's parents sent up a rotisserie machine and we have been perfecting the art of making chicken.  Jenn's mom sent us with multiple whole chickens and we have been saving one for this meal.  

Such a delicious meal!  We even had stuffing!  

There is so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.  If you told me last year at Thanksgiving that I would be living in Colville Lake this year, I would have never believed you.  Last Thanksgiving I had so many hopes, dreams, and plans for this year, but none of those involved moving to the Arctic.  This Thanksgiving I am thankful for the unexpected twist that brought me to Colville Lake.  I have faced many struggles living here, but I can truly say that I have never felt more content and at peace in life.  It is a beautiful feeling to know that you are exactly where you are supposed to be.