Turkey in the Trunk
Editors Letter - “As God as my witness, I thought turkeys could fly.” - -Arthur Carlson, WKRP in Cincinnati
This pie was always typical for my mother at every holiday - she would make pies that were not only perfect in flavor and texture with the ideal crust, she always enhanced the look with flare or in this case turkey and leaves!
The Heart of Gratitude
Thanksgiving is more than just a holiday; it’s a moment in time to pause, reflect, and honor the blessings that surround us. It’s the warmth of loved ones gathered around a table, the laughter echoing through the house, and the quiet moments where gratitude fills the space between words. For me, Thanksgiving isn’t only about the turkey or the traditions; it’s about the simple, profound act of recognizing all that we have.
Gratitude has this amazing way of shifting the lens through which we see the world. It can turn chaos into calm, frustration into perspective, and the mundane into something extraordinary. When I think of Thanksgiving, I think about those everyday miracles we sometimes overlook—the way the sun streams through the window, the joy of a shared smile, or the feeling of home when you’re surrounded by the people who matter most.
This year, I find myself especially grateful for the connections I’ve made. Through MYLO Brand Studio, I’ve had the privilege of working with incredible clients and talented creatives who inspire me daily. I’ve seen firsthand how gratitude—whether in the form of a handwritten note, a thoughtful gift, or a heartfelt “thank you”—can elevate relationships and leave a lasting impact.
But gratitude isn’t something we should reserve for a single day in November. It’s a practice, a mindset, and a way of living that can transform not only how we feel but how we move through the world. When we live with gratitude, we open ourselves to joy. We cultivate compassion. We give ourselves permission to slow down and savor the beauty of our lives.
As we gather around the table this Thanksgiving, let’s not only give thanks for what we have but also for who we are becoming. Let’s celebrate the lessons learned, the challenges overcome, and the love that sustains us. Let’s carry that gratitude forward—not just in this season but into every day that follows.
From my family to yours, I wish you a Thanksgiving filled with love, connection, and gratitude for all that makes your life uniquely beautiful. Angie H.
Take that Bird on the Road
Alas, I return to feed your minds and souls with some good thoughts before the beautiful aromas find their way to your senses from the turkey cooking and the hot cider brewing. This Thanksgiving, I find myself on a different route than the traditions I’ve always known. While we still made time to celebrate with family and share divine dishes for the palate, a few of us have planned a getaway around this holiday that takes us on the road.
When I was little and I would witness all the football games on TV on Thanksgiving Day, I couldn’t believe that people would go to an NFL football game on Thanksgiving Day—I thought the day was reserved to be with family and friends and feasting. Yet, here I am, going to a football game on Thanksgiving. And yes, I was in on this game plan. Here’s the thing: when life offers up unusual circumstances and hardships, you can sit still and weep for a while or whenever you need, really, but, God intends for us to keep moving. So that’s what we are all doing.
This Thanksgiving feels different as it approaches. All of it feels different. That’s what happens after losing people you love. You’ve all been there. This year, with my sister dancing among the angels, I have offered my heart to be open to the universe and let God guide my steps. And He said, “Go forth and Go Pack Go!” That’s what I heard, anyway.
Thankful for Football!
So, it is written. We are en route to the oldest city in Wisconsin—Green Bay—to enter the gates of Lambeau Field, the oldest stadium with an NFL team in continuous residence. The history is beautiful, rooted in this small-town team, and the experience is already building in our souls.
This trip includes other avid Packers fans besides myself, like my son, Trevor, his high school buddy Logan, my daughter Cola, and my niece Jackie’s fiance, Brett. My husband, Tim (a Chiefs fan), Cola’s husband, Colby (unsure if he has a favorite team), and my niece Jackie (Broncos fan) are indulging in this Packers fandom and cheering for the green and gold. Meanwhile, my niece Sammie and her husband Jake will be head-to-toe in Dolphins gear to support the team they love the most. How convenient that we play each other on this grand stage on this thankful Turkey Day. See how that all just came together?
Planning on Seeing all the Hawks on the road to Lambeau.
This year, as I witness my nieces celebrating their first Thanksgiving without their mom and dad, we will feel all the feels. The highs and lows are real, but mostly the faith that God has this all figured out and the knowing that Cherie and Randy are adorned with stunning golden and purple robes and beautiful feathers brings us peace. The bonus comes in the form of a black squirrel twitching in view, a brilliant hawk soaring above, cardinals finding their way onto tree limbs, or an ABBA song unexpectedly playing in the grocery store or as we scan the radio dial. These moments are signs—they show up for us here in life. These angels keep us close.
It’s remarkable. It’s delightful. Yet, it feels unfair. As I look at these beautiful young women knowing they lost both parents within 15 days back in May of this year, it still doesn’t seem real. So, how do you find gratitude in that?
ANOTHER ONE OF MY MOTHER’S CREATIONS FROM A FEW YEARS BACK - MY SWEET MAMA CAN’T COOK OR BAKE ANY MORE BUT, HER LEGACY WILL LIVE ON IN ALL OF US FOREVER! #TALENTED
It takes work. It takes faith. It takes love. It takes copious amounts of conversation, therapy, prayer, and movement. That last one—movement—really sums up all of it. It’s not just physical action. It’s movement in our minds, hearts, and souls. Prayer takes movement. Faith takes movement. It’s all exercise. Sedentary bodies and minds are not for us. This is not how we were designed. We were all designed for more and we are all designed to move.
I feel my sister pulling on my heart daily, along with my friend Sandy, who passed away in 2016. These women were masters at making me move. If you remain open to someone deeply important to you, even after they leave this earth, you can carry them with you in every moment. These God winks along with the beauty that comes under our wings from these beautiful angels truly sustains me. When you truly understand how to manifest this joy—well it changes you in all the best ways. Like it’s huge.
We often get lost in the stuff—the darkness, the heaviness—when we should all be coming together. Rejoicing, singing, dancing, and celebrating life and love can happen daily, if we choose. And it starts with a simple act of gratitude or how about this - several simple acts of gratitude. It’s not hard folks, but, it is necessary.
I’ve kept gratitude journals over the years and in my coaching days, encouraged my athletes to write just three gratitudes a day. From the smallest things that you may be grateful for, like shoelaces or the smell of coffee beans to faith, love, family, and friends. When you write down your gratitudes, it moves you. It enlightens your mindset. It ignites you to see the world with a different framework. It pulls you from your own pity party. And it’s the little moments of simply jotting them down that bring the biggest light to what you want from your time here. The world begs for more from all of us. To be considerate, respectful, kind and thoughtful. Even the act of offering a thank you and making eye contact, or doing a good deed—these small gestures are the seeds of a better world.
The memories I have growing up on the farm and celebrating Thanksgiving with my family give me visions of eating unbelievably wonderful foods all made by the hands of the women in our families along with playing games with my cousins and uncles and aunts. The laughing and joy of the day was always fantastic to me and of course running through the living room while all the men gathered around to watch football.
This year, I’ll be running toward Lambeau Field, my sister’s blessings surrounding me. Maybe you’ll see us on TV, and maybe you won’t, but this year’s view is different for me in every way. I know Cherie is thinking, “I’m glad I can be with you as an angel because it would’ve been way too cold for me!” She’d have gladly stayed back at the Packers Airbnb, snuggling Mason, while cheering us on from the warmth. Meanwhile, we will dive into being NFL fans, watching these teams and discovering all the ways thousands of other people love to celebrate Thanksgiving in the land of Packers. And I can’t wait!!!
I’ll fill ya’ll in on our entire experience including any of the famous quotes that most likely will be discovered on this journey. If you know me, you know that if I hear a funny thing someone says, or a statement or a words that are misspoken, I’ll grab my phone or journal and make note of it. Forever etched for future humorous moments. This will be a trip long remembered, I already can feel it.
As we embark on this lovely holiday journey, I have my bags all packed along with my sister’s happy attitude that would always say, “Take the Trip!”
Her spirit is in me, and for that, I am forever grateful.
I hope you find the spirit in you this Thanksgiving.
Go Pack Go!
My ChatGPT rendition of how beautiful I will look while striding up to the game! It’s perfect I think!
ONE OF THE BEST TRADITIONS IN MY FAMILY IS THE DESSERT TABLE - WITHOUT A DOUBT - ALWAYS PERFECTION RIGHT DOWN TO THE PUMPKIN PIE AND RICE PUDDING!
