Wonderful, wonderful

Today was the day we celebrated Thanksgiving. Margaret, Matt & Amanda arrived about noon, and Jesse came in about an hour later. So now we were 9. Dinner prep started in earnest soon after that. Margaret sliced the smoked turkey off the bones, then sliced the ham that Wayne had smoked. Rolls were set out to rise. Potatoes were peeled to be ready to boil and mash.

The youngsters (guess we can't call them "kids" any more) started playing games - Mexican Train and Rummikub At least they did until we ran them off so we could start setting the table. Four different kinds of cranberries - relish, chutney, jelled salad, and the old fashioned jellied cylinder. We got the raw veggies out, and all the pickles, olives, spiced peaches and apples.

Our friends showed up soon after that, bringing wine and laughter. So we started getting things heated up. We had casseroles of dressing, two versions of sweet potatoes (neither with marshmallows on top!). We had corn from the Smiths' garden, too. And, of course, gravy. This much food has got to be obscene, but we don't waste anything. Leftovers are eaten, frozen, or shared. Everybody takes food home to those who didn't come.
Just getting all the family and friends together is what makes Thanksgiving so special. And we even got a call from our Venezuelan "daughter" this morning.

I was thinking, too, that lots of the food was prepared by loved ones who didn't join us - who just wanted to contribute. Larry smoked the turkey, Wayne smoked the ham, Wanda made one of the sweet potato casseroles, the cranberry salad, and some of the desserts. It's just great to have such good family and friends!

We did take photos, but that'll come later. Today's photo is another of fall colors along the Cumberland River.