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If you ever do a video for it, I’d love to see your steps. That would be cool!

Our Thanksgiving was wonderful! Wonderfully LONG day, too!

I’m happy to report that Thanksgiving Day airport travelers and airline personnel were, in general, VERY well behaved. Cheerful, polite, gracious, and kind. We had two legs to our trip, and the weather cooperated. Our first leg got away on time, and arrived 30 minutes early. The second leg was also on time, and arrived 15 minutes early. My suitcase was truly THE LAST ONE at baggage claim to be put on the belt. I was getting worried there that it might not have made it on the plane. Finally, finally, it came out from the other side.

Such happy hugs when our daughter and SIL pulled up! They’re doing well. So good to see them in person!

After lightly unpacking a few essentials, we got straight on to cooking for the feast. Daughter took a nap, and the men watched a bit of football while discussing turkey tactics. SIL spatchcocked the turkey and had dry brined it for prep. Plans were to put it on the smoker later as we got the other side dishes going. I brought fresh herbs (sage, rosemary, thyme, and Italian oregano) from my herb garden and they were a welcome contribution. The oregano wasn’t used yesterday but will be used at some point I’m sure.

Sides were dressing, made from scratch mashed potatoes, scratch cranberry sauce, amazingly roasted rainbow carrots on a bed of whipped feta (daughter made that, scrumptious!), sautéed spinach, smoked salmon rubbed with oil and fresh herbs, focaccia with fresh herbs, and dinner rolls. Oh, how could I forget? Gravy as well.

The kids are accomplished cooks, so all of us were in the kitchen together, chatting as we worked. Dinner was served at 7:30, a bit of the late side, but that how it works when you get started at 2 pm.

We were all so stuffed (and tired) that the pies weren’t even touched (pumpkin and pecan). They both look amazing and I can’t wait to try them today. I think today will be a day of rest. We will keep things simple. We got leftovers put away, and the dishes were cleaned up, too. Getting into a bed never felt so good. Hubby and I had been up for 20+ hours.

Happy day after Thanksgiving, otherwise known as Black Friday! I’m so glad I don’t work retail anymore. Today I hope to watch some college football. Tomorrow too. Still waiting for our new precious to give the heads up that she’s ready to enter the world. Say prayers that when the time comes, things go smoothly, and not take too long.

So glad you had safe travels & a wonderful meal - sounds delicious! No matter where we have our holiday meals (brothers, nieces) the kitchen is always the ‘gathering’ place it seems.

My cousin, the elderly frail one, texted me this morning & said if we had any leftovers, she was “begging” if we could send her some, she didn’t care what. She didn’t remember her daughter asking yesterday if she wanted any or that she said ‘no’ - she was very tired by the time they left. I had bought some 3-section containers & also had mini cups like for condiments. I LOADED her up with 2 containers - she’ll be surprised: turkey light & dark meat, stuffing, mashed potatoes, casseroles (green bean, sweet potato, spicy corn pudding), cinnamon apples, scratch cranberry sauce, 4 mini cups of gravy & 2 maple pecan bars. She’ll have food for a week LOL! Last year this time, she was active, driving, & independent. She started fainting & falling after the first of the year & in September got pneumonia which put her mild heart failure into overdrive. Now, she can slowly walk with a walker & assistance, gets out of breath & tires easily. I have the bad feeling this may be her last Thanksgiving & Christmas so I am trying to make good memories & take the load off her daughter somewhat who has to deal daily with her failing mom while holding down a full time job & raising a teen age daughter (good kid) as a single mom.

Keep us informed as to when your granddaughter arrives! 🙏