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