When we have more than enough of something, we try to share with neighbours and friends. This happened recently when we went strawberry picking and brought home many strawberries.

Today was a receiving day and boy, did we receive.

It began with a student bringing a bag of red onions harvested from the garden.

Later, a neighbour gave two bags, one with white onions and carrots and another with potatoes, all from the garden.

Lastly, another neighbour came by with a bag of clams, freshly harvested.

We had the clams as an appetizer, cooked with beer, garlic and parsley.

A small portion of the vegetables went into our chili dinner, including the corn bread.

We are lucky to have such good friends and neighbours and we appreciate their gifts.

In Japan, people are thankful for the food they eat and say “いただきます/ i ta da ki ma su” to say they are thankful.

After eating, people say “ごちそうさまでした/ go chi so sa ma de shi ta” to say thank you for your treat (of food).

The food was enjoyed and we are thankful.