Thanksgiving Memories

Thanksgiving was quite memorable for me this year. I went home determined to have a good time with plenty of holiday fun and relaxation. And we did just that. What a wonderful weekend!

I started home Wednesday afternoon, with a four day weekend ahead of me. Of course, it was a long trip home with traffic, wrecks, rain, etc. But I listened to Christmas music the whole way home, and even caught up with some of my friends. I snacked on popcorn and apples and just enjoyed my travel. I arrived home 5 and a half hours later! Needless to say, because of the rain, my dad and I postponed our annual Christmas tree hunting for Thursday morning. But we all sat down to mom's homemade potato soup and roast beef sandwiches. We ended the evening with a movie.

Thanksgiving Day was so much fun. Dad and I went out for our Christmas Tree, and found just the perfect one for our house---Tall, green, and full. I also had a few items to pick up for cranberry sauce and cookies. Mom and I literally cooked all day! But at a nice slow pace. We shared a cup of tea, and just talked. The family began arriving around 4 and by 6 we were sitting down to eat Turkey with all the trimmings--ham, chix noodles and mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, cranberry relish, homemade stuffing, greenbean casserole, pea salad, rolls, corn! It was all there, along with the pumpkin cheesecake, caramel cake, and banana pudding with coffee. Of course, I ate too much and never did get around to dessert. But oh it was so good! ;) Mom's special china was placed on the table, music was played, and the fire was lit. After gorging ourselves, we all retired to the living room for warmth and fellowship.

Friday was just as memorable! Mom and I had planned a day of Christmas. After breakfast we dug right into Christmas cookies, Christmas music, and Tree decorating prep. Our little sugar cookies of reindeer, frosties, stars, bells, candy canes, and trees turned out so cute. My nephews and niece even enjoyed some of the cookie decorating! Esther Anne especially proved rather good at it.

After completely 5 and a half dozen cookies, we all got ready for a special evening at a newly opened local restaurant. BBQ! Wow was it good. And then of course, Friday finished out with a late night of movies!

We completed our Tree decorating on Saturday and Sunday. I must say that decorating the Christmas Tree and setting up our Nativity scene are my two favorite holiday activities. And they both turned out so nice.

Saturday evening we all made a trip down to Indy to visit my sister and her husband and see their newly decorated basement. We took all of our Thanksgiving leftovers and made a night of eating and playing board games. It was especially fun watching my little niece compete with the adults like the best of them on Apples to Apples and Snorta. She definitely holds her own. Sheri and Jake pick the most unusually fun games to play. We even gathered around the piano for our annual Christmas Sing! What memories! I do have to insert that they have done a very good job with their basement. It is neat to see how the Lord has truly blessed them.

So now I have returned to my work desk here in Chicago, ready to go for 3 more weeks. The Christmas holidays are before me! I have a few more items to collect for gift, but I am looking forward to Christmas Day with much eagerness! What a truly wonderful time of the year. And I am truly looking forward to spending it all with my family!