Our Thanksgiving

Hello and welcome to our home!

There's a fire in the fireplace...and though the outside air is bitter cold, the inside is warm and cozy.  Sweet notes of classical guitar and the fragrant aroma of spicy holiday fare greets you as you step inside.

The table is set in autumnal abundance - the last of the season - soon to be replaced by festive holiday baubles.

In just a short while, this peaceful scene will be replaced by the raucous chatter and laughter of a loving family... adults mingling, kids competing for attention...the decibel level rising to drown out the otherwise peaceful guitar refrains.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of all.   No gifts to wrap, no extravagant decorating... just warm, homey, love and fellowship enjoyed in the intimate setting of a traditional meal.  Its my favorite meal of the whole year to cook.  After so many Thanksgivings, I could make this meal while sleepwalking.

As a blended family, we are so very lucky to have four children who love each other and get along splendidly.  Sadly, half of the kids were not able to join us this year... but they will all be here for Christmas.  In the very beginning, Jack and I felt it would be easiest on all of the kids if we did not celebrate holidays on the actual day.  This way we unburden our kids with having to pick whom to spend their holidays with. As our children grew into adults and married, it continues to work well to celebrate on off days.  It works well for us as well... as there is always more of a chance that everyone will be able to join us.  And so, traditionally we have always celebrated our Thanksgiving on Black Friday. 

This one loves the pre-meal snacks... raiding the charcuterie tray.

We're lucky to have four generations present.

Mealtime entertainment is always provided by the youngest!

Ahhhh.... the joy of whipped cream!

Jack set up a race track and Easton was enthralled with driving the cars round and round.

I cooked our family's traditional meal: roast turkey, stuffing, gravy, corn pudding, mashed carrots and turnips, spinach soufflé, cranberry sauce, fresh fruit salad, green beans, pumpkin pie, coconut pie, freshly made whipped cream for the pies, banana bread, and double chocolate cookies.

The day was fun and festive... and over way too quickly.  The only way it could have been better was if every member of our family had been with us.  But, Christmas is coming... and everyone is scheduled to join us for that!

Thanksgiving lasts but a day, but the gratitude that I feel for this life, and for the presence of my people in my life, is a part of everyday.  

By the time Saturday rolled around, I was ready to throw myself into getting ready for the Christmas holiday.  Saturday's beautiful, but cold, weather was perfect for our annual Christmas tree hunt. 

 We visited a small, obscure farm that charges $25 per tree, no matter the size.  In short order we found two... one for the living room and a smaller one for the family room.

The surprise of the weekend was waking up to this on Sunday!

The first snow of the winter... only an inch - 

just enough to completely throw me into the holiday spirit!

Even an inch makes the farm look magical!

You can see individual snowflakes in the lower right hand side of this photo.

With December just around the corner, I will be sharing a little holiday cheer each day with our farm tales.  We've pulled out all the stops this year!