Thanksgiving is probably my most favorite day of the entire year and I might be just a little bit sad that my beloved Thursday has come and gone and now the world is in full-blown Christmas mode. Not that I don't love Christmas, too, but dang if it doesn't try to creep in earlier and earlier and every year. I want to savor my full week of Thanksgiving, thankyouverymuch. It's bad enough Black Friday steals one day, but Brown Thursday? Really??! This day already has a name, people! And it's THANKSGIVING.
So before the holiday frenzy really sets in and I start freaking out about the countdown to Christmas, I thought I'd spend today reliving last week and sharing some photos from our Thanksgiving. Want to join me in happy thoughts about food, family, and friends?
We kicked off the day with a Turkey Trot, where my brother-in-law Ben completed his first 10K in a very respectable time (Go Ben!), and I posed in front of questionably respectable port-o-potties. With a successful calorie burn under our belts, we headed home to prepare the feast!
There was a welcome sign and feathered friends (compliments of the kiddos) to greet our guests:
There were centerpieces of alstroemeria and button mums that Riely helped me arrange in old copper pieces my parents collected during their time in Turkey. We set the tables with my grandmother's china and pewter goblets and I taught Riely how to correctly arrange the fork-knife-spoon. So if I fail in all other areas as a mother, at least the girl will be able to set a proper table.
As we counted down the minutes 'til the bird was done, there was lively and laughter-filled conversation, thanks in part to plenty of prosecco and egg nog martinis. Martinis which may have contained more alcohol than we originally realized. Here's your handy PSA for the day: Always read the fancy scripty font on your egg nog labels. Especially if it says "contains bourbon, brandy and rum."
There was a cute guy in a purple sweater to carve the turkey (and a mother-in-law to oversee it.)
There were big plates for little girls to load up on turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, sweet taters, rolls, cranberry sauce and GRAVY!
There were animated displays of pretentious goblet-sipping by a certain bowtie bedecked boy.
There was a sweet grey-muzzled lady who, against all odds, lived to see yet another Thanksgiving and celebrated by happily cleaning up turkey scraps.
There was catching up and filling up. Long overdue hugs and toasts. Remembering past holidays and planning for future celebrations.
Lastly, there was the chaotic clamor in an attempt to get a family photo before our gathering ended. But we were successful! There are so many things that I give thanks for, but getting to celebrate amongst this group is definitely one of the best.
