Thanksgiving Homecoming

Thanksgiving is here again, and it was all just perfect.  We were up early this morning, ready to decorate, and to get that turkey in the oven!  The three of us were busy preparing for the big day, and along the way on our big screen, we had the Thanksgiving Day Parade playing.

It's so nice to have this on our main television, and all the while we were putting out the different decorations in the rooms.  We have about three large tubs of Thanksgiving decorations that we haven't used in about three years, so that was fun putting out.

We have these Disney Thanksgiving decorations from one year we went to the Magic Kingdom on Thanksgiving Day.  And of course, there are also the Cabbage Patch Kids that Mommy has had since who knows when.  These are the ones that are signed by the creator of the dolls, and I believe they have a bit of worth.  Maybe not as much worth as they would have back in the 90's when people were absolutely zany over these dolls.  Still, they look nice when you bring them out for Thanksgiving.  

Anyway, the house was decorated, and soon enough, everyone started to arrive.  It was a beautiful day outside - just perfect.  The temperature was nice, and everything was so pleasant.

Here's Nana and Ye-Ye, who happens to be wearing a remarkable tie.  It has actually has Pilgrims and Indians on it!  He was happy to see the hedgehog again this year.  Mommy takes this dip for crackers, forms it into he shape of a hedgehog (yes, just a round ball, really), and then puts almonds all over it to look like the quills on its back.  A spot is left for the face, where two eyes are put in.  Surrounding the hedgehog on the tray are a whole lot of crackers, and this serves as a nice snack as everyone talks and waits for the main courses to be set up.

Their house is not quite ready for meals yet, and it may not even be ready by Christmas time.  But it's coming along, with workers there each day fixing up the siding and the interior as well, of course.  There's a lot of work being done, and in fact the contractor is out tomorrow for Black Friday, seeing about getting deals for various appliances.  It's not the path they would have chosen, but we're thankful the trees didn't hit them or their pets, of course.  There is a lot to be thankful for.

All over the course of the day, Mommy was showing Madison how to cook a little, teaching the fine art of basting a turkey.  Doesn't this look delicious?

Mommy dressed up for Thanksgiving in a little bit.  We all had on our "work clothes" this morning as we got everything ready for the big moment.

When the family arrived, she brought out the turkey from the oven, and the house was just filled with the fragrant aroma of Thanksgiving.  Aunt Shain and her family look like they can't hold back.

Of course, it's not just about the turkey itself.  The smells and tastes of Thanksgiving always bring warm memories to our minds, of all the Thanksgivings gone by.  Ye-Ye prayed over the meal, and we started with the first course:  butternut squash soup.  You can see that in the picture at the top.  Meanwhile, Mommy was carving the turkey, and soon afterwards we were loading our plates with sweet potato casserole, stuffing, mashed potatoes, peas, cranberry sauce, rolls, and more.  It was a wonderful feast.  Later on, we'd have dessert with that gluten-free pecan pie, and of course pumpkin pie as well.  We also had ice cream for a topping on the pecan pie, and some seasonal cupcakes and more.  It was a pretty big meal!

But these are the moments that count:

The family together.  They were just watching the latest humorous video on Aunt Shain's phone, but there they all are, laughing together.  And that's what the day is all about - everyone being together.