I love this week. Really I do. We’ve been putting on Thanksgiving for so long that we know how to manage it—even when we goof and realize that the head count of 29 is really 30. We know what to prep ahead of time, how to spread four—no, make that five tables through the dining room and living room—oops, six if you count the little table we put up for the two youngest boys. We know that people will bring extra and that there will be more than enough food, even for teenagers who go back for plates piled with seconds. We know that though the bar has to be set up in the garage, adults will gather on the old rug we spread on the cement floor in front of the table and ignore the tools and shovels lining the walls—while the teens will find a haven in the basement. We know at meal time, as the hosts, my husband and I will have to situate ourselves on the kitchen-side of the table because otherwise, we’d never get out.
I love prepping good food for our family; apple pies, pecan pies, mashed potatoes, gravy and green beans. I love that now that we must have two turkeys, I can try new stuffing recipes, knowing that Mom-in-law will bring her family favorite so I’m not even messing up tradition. I love that our brother-in-law will bring squash and sweet potatoes and creamed onions and that his quiet assurance will keep me calm during that critical and crazy half-hour before we get the food on the table (well, on the counter—with 30 people, we HAVE to serve buffet style.)
Most of all, I love the tickle of anticipation, today, tomorrow, on Wednesday and especially those quiet few minutes— just before everyone arrives; when the house is dusted and vacuumed, the pictures and mirrors shine, the tables are set, the do-ahead things are resting on the counter and the three of us look at each other—excited for the festivities to begin, knowing that not only will we be celebrating with a huge family—on Thanksgiving we'll be surrounded by our friends.
Wishing you a joyful, happy Thanksgiving.
12 comments:
Ooooooo, I want Thanksgiving at your house! Just kidding. I love mine, too, but you really do sound not only prepared but amazing! Happy Thanksgiving, Liza.
What a beautiful post! I loved every word, especially how you could experiment with a different stuffing recipe. From our house to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!
This is my favorite time of the year. The anticipation is just as fun as the actual events. Have a great holiday season to you and yours!
You point to the absolute most important thing--it's all about togetherness. It's been tough for our family because so many of us have long been spread out, so it's hard to get everyone together. Some years, we have just a handful of us, so we're sort of the opposite from you--but the main message is still the same. It's about togetherness.
Happy thanks giving to you too. :)
It is about gratitude, and thanksfulness, and destroying all the horrible thoughts that don't lend to this spirit.
Have a blessed Thanksgiving Day.
Can I come to your house????
i do like the hustle and bustle of a big Thanksgiving. We used to have at my parents, (Grannie and PawPaw's), it scattered all over the place. The number would reach as high as 60 people, but it was great fun. You will have this fun too, it seems.
That sounds like an absolutely marvelous Thanksgiving. I am terribly envious. We'll have our son here. Our daughter won't be able to come home 'til Christmas. It'll be great fun having son here. I'm making favorite dishes.
Simply beautiful! Thanks for sharing. I'm cooking some signature southern style dishes this year in preparation for my move to Texas. Fun to learn & delicious. There's definitely some things I've been missing out on...
It sounds like and old fashioned Thanksgiving. I'm here at an empty airport about to finish my shift. I'm glad I had a good trip to australia but you can't have everything. Hope you had a great day, liza!
bitbit, is that you Polly? Thanks. We did have a great day. So glad you had a good trip. How funny it was to Skype SF and find you!
Post a Comment