Friday, November 29, 2013

Thanksigiving At Mom's

Good morning.  The rain is gently falling today, and I am cozy in my heated bed.  No rushing out to Black Friday deals.  Nowhere that I have to be today.  Just relaxing and basking in the glow of a wonderful day of Thanksgiving and family that we had yesterday at my Mom's house.  We missed two of our own kids,  and their family, as they were with their other families celebrating Thanksgiving.
On Thanksgiving morning, I rose early, as I usually do.  But this time, it was not to put a turkey in the oven, or to bake a pie, as I was not doing any actual cooking this time.  Only a relish plate that required no work at all.  I sat with my coffee and enjoyed a roaring fire that Greg built, and waited for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.  After a very leisurely morning, we got ready and arrived at my Mom's about 2:00.  It was a coolish day, but with bright sun shining.
As we approached the house, the familiar smells of the holidays in our home growing up came over me. The turkey was roasting in the oven, and the stovetop held bubbling dishes of potatoes, and green beans with bacon, and the like.  I have a lifetime of memories of Thanksgivings, filled with the warm aromas of home cooked delicious foods, and a house filled with family and love.  Yesterday was no exception.
Shortly after arriving, I took a few photos of our daughter Erika and her little boy Noah.  I thought so many of them turned out great!


I took a few pictures of the last minute busyness that was going on in the kitchen, just before we gathered at the table to give thanks.
My brother Mark, for as long as I can remember, has always hand whipped the mashed potatoes.
With our Mom's watchful eye in the corner of the picture!  My niece Deanna was ever so proud to show me the pie she made all by herself the evening before!  She raced out to the fridge in Grandma's garage, and ran back to the kitchen, placing it on the counter before me, asking me to give her Cherry Pie a letter grade.  She whipped off the tin foil, to reveal her masterpiece of home baked goodness, eager to hear my reply.  WHAT?  Deanna, this is not a cherry pie???? 
Whoopsie.  Deanna was so excited to show us her masterpiece.  But instead of grabbing the cherry pie, she reached into their fridge at home and mistook their leftover dinner from the previous night instead.  I love the look on her face!   But the cherry pie did arrive, and it was fabulous!!!  Way to go Dee!!!!
Busy, worker bees in the kitchen, putting those last minute touches on our feast.
Everyone had a job to do.  There were rolls to heat, meats to carve, gravy to be made, potatoes to mash.  Here is my husband carving the bird.
My nephew Joe made his famous bacon wrapped asparagus. 

They were even better than they look!!! 
Once the dishes were all placed out on the counters and tables, buffet style, we formed our long line of hungry people, snaking our way from the living room, then the kitchen, to the beautiful and bountiful display of homemade foods prepared for this day of Thanks.
We filled our plates high, and then sat at the tables, awaiting our feast.
The white tablecloth you see, my Mom had us all sign with a black Sharpie.  Each one of us putting our own message of thanks, and personalized drawings.  How I managed to forget a photo, is beyond me.  But it was a fun thing to do.  It will be saved and brought out again next year, and the year after that......
The food was fabulous, as it always is.  Mom outdid herself once again.  We toasted to our dear Dad, and our recently departed Nana, as we were about to eat this meal for the first time without her.   Before eating, we linked hands, and Erika asked the blessing on our meal.  And then we enjoyed the bounty before us, together, as a family should be on Thanksgiving.
After sufficiently stuffing ourselves, as promised, Greg gathered the help of my brother Mark, and they cleared and washed the dishes.
Before cutting into our plethora of pies, we gathered onto the boat with hot coffee and took a ride on the lake to see the holiday lights.  My niece Deanna, and nephew Matt, waiting on the dock.
Mom gathered up some blankets to keep us warm, and off we went.  My Mom is wrapped up in the afghan I made for her a while back.

Our captain for the boat tour was my brother Mark, with grandson Noah at the Helm.
All of the homes were beautifully decorated and lit for the first time on this night, for Christmas.  It was beautiful!!

We oohed, and ahhhed, at the festivities, and sang Christmas carols the whole way.  Realizing only minutes into the trip, that we need to brush up on our Holiday lyrics!!!!   After a fun ride and tour of the lake, we headed back in to my Mom's dock for dessert.  You can see the rest of the family there waiting for us on the patio.
My brother David and his wife Glenda were nearby at their house, hosting the holiday meal for Glenda's family.  But many of them came to Mom's for dessert.  Here is my brother David demonstrating his personally coined term, "Pie Pants" for the holiday eating!  These are a MUST!!!
He is wearing a pair of "pie pants" that we got him last year for Christmas.  He is a huge Chargers fan!!!
My nephew Don, and his lovely wife Kaylen were visiting here from the Bay Area.
We enjoyed our desserts, and a day of food and fellowship with loved ones.  It was a wonderful day.  Thank you Mom!!!  I was reminded yesterday, that despite the hardships that many have endured this past year, giving thanks for the two most important things in life, our health and family, are what really matter.
Happy Thanksgiving!  Let the holiday begin!!
XO  Kris

36 comments:

From the Kitchen said...

What is better than a wonderful family, delicious food and sweet memories? You had it all.

Best,
Bonnie

Amy at love made my home said...

It looks as though you all had a wonderful wonderful day with some lovely family moments, sharing and remembering. I love the expression on your poor nieces face, I can only imagine how she felt expecting to see her beautiful pie and finding last nights dinner instead! The christmas lights are very pretty, especially reflected in the water. Hope that your weekend is just as relaxing and fun. xx

Dawn said...

Loved hearing a out your family filled Fay. The cherry purple part was the best. I am still chuckling.

Between Me and You said...

Amazing Grace indeed! What a wonderful post. Filled to the brim with food,love,family and what a fabulous place your Mum lives in - you were very lucky indeed to be brought up there. Thank you for sharing all of this, Kris. Just fabulous.x

Teresa Kasner said...

What a wonderful and love filled family time you had! I think it's so awesome to be able to hop in a boat and take a tour of the neighbor's lights! Your mom lives in the coolest place! We got our tree up today - now to decorate it. I'm sitting here way too full from a plate full of leftovers. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Genn said...

Loved reading about the day! It's hard to believe this was the first of so many holidays without Nana. Looks like a great day. I'm sad we couldn't be there too. I missed all of those delicious foods and smells that I remember too!!!!

Unknown said...

I cannot even begin to understand a boat ride right now!!! That is AWESOME!!!
Here it is only about 20 degrees in the day and sometimes at night dips down below 0! Yeah, can you imagine that!
Your mamma's house is beautiful,and so lovely that you all united at some point for the day. LOVE the signing ofthe table clothe :)

oh,and I ROCKED YOUR TURKEY TUTORIAL YESTERDAY!!!!

THANK YOU!

It was,pretty,it was PERFECT.

Happy Thanksgiving Kris, I am thankful for you!

priscilla said...

Glad you had a nice Thanksgiving Kris ! Great photos !

Gloria Baker said...

ah Kris sounds how you had a really fun time! and always enjoy your pictures: beautiful Im glad all if you had a lovely time!xo

Gloria Baker said...
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Gloria Baker said...
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Sunny Simple Life said...

Your mom's place looks so fun. Glad you all had a good time.

Lynne said...

Another wonderful family dinner! That boat ride out to look at the Christmas lights sounds like fun! I might make "pie pants" mandatory at our house next year.

Susanne Tyree said...

It is hard not to let the sadness creep in during these times, but our loved ones would want us to be happy and to carry on holiday traditions with the family members we love and cherish. I think they are here with us anyways, how could they not be, forever in our hearts. How nice to be able to take a tour of the neighborhood in a boat, the Christmas lights shining on the water making it a spectacular sight. You are so right, health and family are what is important, but most of all love.
(((HUGS))) Susanne :)

Betsy said...

This was such a beautiful and love filled post. Thank you so much. I would absolutely love to live in a place that is warm for the holidays. It SNOWED here today. Bleh! Your family looks as if they really love to be together. How wonderful. We have our kids for one more day and I'm cherishing every moment until they have to leave.
Blessings,
Betsy

Poppy said...

Kim, I so enjoyed the wonderful highlights of your lovely family's Thanksgiving! You are part of a close knit clan, as I am, and it's at this time of the year, that I miss them all so very much! Thanks for all the beautiful photos of the day. So nice to connect the name to the face!

xo
Poppy

Poppy said...

Oops! Meant to say, 'Kris'!!:-)

Mereknits said...

What a beautiful, relaxing day you had with your family. I love all the photos and all the fun.
hugs,
Meredith

glor said...

Oh Kris, thank you for sharing such a remarkable day. How beautiful everything is. What a family gathering. The tablecloth ... what a memory to have. On my list is a tablecloth - I am going to do that! Best to you and all. It was fun to walk through your holiday with you. Blessings.

Holly said...

You were on my mind so much Thursday. Love you all!

Pammy Sue said...

Great pictures! It's so funny how it probably looks very much like this at most people's homes in America on Thanksgiving. We did the same thing with the paper table cover and Sharpies! I thought it was a great idea.

Got your message the day before Thanksgiving. Thanks for the call, well-wishes, and thoughts. You're very sweet to do that. We'll talk soon. XOXOXO

Jeanna said...

Oh Kris, this is what I call a civilized holiday celebration. Such a lovely description of your day. Thank you so much for sharing!

Love,
Jeanna

NanaNor's said...

Hi Kris, Oh I always love seeing your holiday & Thanksgiving post. What joy having so many together!
You are blessed dear one. I spent the last two days decorating(no stores for me. We should count every day as a blessing; a friend of mine recently had heart failure but thankfully was taken to the hospital and got the care she needed. No warning for her; but we all celebrate that she has lived to see another day, month, year.
Sending love and hugs your way.
Noreen

Debbie said...

looks like a WONDERFUL day Kris. Can't believe how big Noah is getting to be. What a little cutie he is. It was a nice picture of him and his mama. How I would love to go on that boat ride around looking at the lights. Your mom lives in such a neat place. Enjoy the rest of your day!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Kris, your holiday looked perfect! Your Mom has such a pretty home and to be right on the lake like that looks so magical. I'm glad most of your extended amily was able to be together to celebrate!

Jill said...

Kris,
Looks like such a lovely Thanksgiving day. :-) Lots to be thankful for! I love the boat ride and looking at the lights...just beautiful, thank you for sharing. Finally got a post on tonight and catching up with everyone, I've missed stopping by but things have been so crazy as you see from Instagram ;-) Have a wonderful night, thanks for sharing.

Blessings,
Jill

Jill said...

Kris,
Looks like such a lovely Thanksgiving day. :-) Lots to be thankful for! I love the boat ride and looking at the lights...just beautiful, thank you for sharing. Finally got a post on tonight and catching up with everyone, I've missed stopping by but things have been so crazy as you see from Instagram ;-) Have a wonderful night, thanks for sharing.

Blessings,
Jill

Gracie Saylor said...

Your posts are not only a pleasure for us to read, but a beautiful journal for your family to treasure in the years to come, Kris. And the boat ride was a wonderfully unique part of your celebration this year!
Gracie xx

Pam said...

What a wonderful day spent with your family. Great photos Kris!

Grammy Staffy said...

What a wonderful thanksgiving you had with family at your moms beautiful home. I love all the pictures. You have a great family . Thanks for sharing

Astri said...

Everything looks wonderful...that bacon asparagus might take the cake though!

Deb~in~Denver said...

Beautiful post! Love the picture of Erika and Noah, so cute! I'm glad you had such a good day and were able to surround yourself with your family, love seeing the fun you have! Thanks for sharing it with us!
Deb
xo

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

It looks like you had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day Kris! Now we are on to Christmas! Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas!

Hugs,
Maryjane

Nicolle said...

That looks like a wonderful Thanksgiving. The bacon wrapped asparagus look delicious. And, I LOVE all of the lights on the water. What a great time you guys must have on the boat there! xo

~Niki~ said...

great pics. what a great day you had!