Yesterday (Saturday October 9) was our annual family Thanksgiving. If you read this blog or know my family we celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving and US Thanksgiving. No fussing over who's house to go to (in laws or outlaws) there are two chances to win!
This story actually begins the day before.
On Friday I took an hour vacation time and went home early. When I arrived home, Dave was happy to see me but also disappointed. You've ruined the surprise! (he said). He had decided to clean the ovens which had not been cleaned in ...well it's been a very long time. We only use the one at Thanksgiving. And it's easier to take out the battery to the smoke detector than clean the other one. So my response was, Thank you ...but why? LOL He did a really good job and I have to admit they look much better and probably work more efficiently now.
I made the stuffing for the turkey and laid out all the serving dishes and utensils we would need. At this time I thought we had 17 people coming and this required two tables so we need two of everything. I laid it out on the dining room table and labeled it with sticky notes. There is only so much this old brain can retain.
We spent the rest of the evening relaxing and watching the Philies playoff game with the Reds. We were interrupted no less than 6 times with phone calls from Emma and Arron who missed the turn coming down 295 and needed directions. They also informed us they were not coming straight here but would be stopping to visit with Lydia (Emma's friend since elementary school) and Lydia' boyfriend Shane at Pinnochios. Oh, and Emma didn't have her key so could we leave the door unlocked.
When I got up on Saturday morning, there was a note from Emma. 1) She invited Lydia and Shane to Thanksgiving dinner and 2) She mixed up my sticky notes. Could I tell which ones she moved? So now we were 19 for dinner ( I always say more the merrier and Emma usually takes me up on it. Life is good!). By the way she didn't switch the notes she just wanted me to think she did. Twerp!
My day started with a really good 10 mile run with USAFit/Philly. When I got home I stuffed the turkey put it in the oven and then put myself in the shower! Christine called to say that Samih (Erin's friend) was with them and could she come!? Now we were up to 20. A nice round number :)
Thanksgiving in our house is a group event and not just because of all the people; Everyone pitches in. We make the Turkey (and sometimes ham too), stuffing, mashed potatoes and we make sure there is coffee, tea, and iced tea. Dave makes his almost world famous ceasar salad and we also did pineapple casserole this year. My brother Thomas brings chairs and until this year he even brought a table. But we went and purchased our own folding banquet table this year. What a great thing to have! This year Jill brought apple pie and cranberry jello and whipped cream. Christine brought jugs of cider and ice for the cooler. Dad and Dinana brought pumpkin pie and apple walnut pie. No one seemd to notice or mind that we did not have any green beans. There were onions and celery in the stuffing so that counted?
Dinner actually took longer than 10 minutes to eat (YAY!). After dinner the kids went to the park. This is a tradition that started many years ago when they were much younger. And although the reasons for going (to get the little ones out from under while we cleaned up or set up) don't apply anymore they continue to do it. The 'kids' is a general term as they range in age from 5 to 26 now.
After the trip to the park, we gathered in the living room (all 20 of us) to have desert. There was a choice of pies with or without whipped cream..oh and cookies too. Some of us could not decide on what type of pie so we had more than one 'small' piece. With everyone sitting around there were several conversations going on at once; some singing; a little dancing (not much room for it though). At some point there began a demonstration of who can do what strange things with their body. For example; single eyebrow lifts, double jointed thumbs, knees and ankles, shifting scalps and fish lips to name a few. Which prompted someone to ask "I wonder if this is how circuses are formed?".
Here is a link to some photos for the day.
Added October 12th - Video created by talented my brother in law Jean Genetile
2 comments:
We are SUCH a talented family. My mind is blown when I contemplate the accomplishments that were displayed on Saturday. We really should go on national tour, don't you think?
Great pictures, by the way---oh, and the weird one of me and Robbie was taken while I was attempting to put his shoe back on.
Forgot to say--- Caesar salad totally counts as a green vegetable. :)
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