Sunday, November 28, 2010

The Aftermath

A Monday morning blogging challenge-how to make a traditional Thanksgiving celebration sound like something new and different. Guess what? It can't be done. That's one of the things I love most about Thanksgiving...it's predictable. It is people across America sharing mostly the same meal with people they love. Or are related to and must put up with but still, deep down there is love. So instead of something new and different how about a play by play of our holiday weekend which was probably only slightly different than your holiday weekend?

We had such a nice morning Thursday. We all moved about the kitchen doing one task or another to the backdrop of the Macy's parade and snow falling outside. It didn't stick but it was beautiful to watch. We had our feast mid afternoon and we all agreed it was just right.


Dishes were done, naps were taken and phone calls were made to family scattered here and there...we were all so full we didn't even drag out the leftovers.

On Friday hubs transformed the turkey carcass into the worlds best turkey noodle soup while we waited for my brother and sister in law to arrive. Seriously delicious. Once they got here we had a repeat of Thursdays meal, except we did not use the china that doesn't go in the dishwasher and it was also minus the hours and hours of slaving in the kitchen beforehand. Let's all give thanks for the beauty that is Thanksgiving leftovers. After dinner we watched some football, played some pool, and just enjoyed hanging out together which we don't get to do nearly often enough.


My brother is a high school coach so they had a cross country meet to attend in New York the early part of Saturday. While they were out I convinced hubs we needed to drag out the decorations and try to stir up some Christmas spirit. He loathes putting the lights and garland up and around the banisters and here's what I want to know....why is it that it never fits the same way twice? And as long as I'm on the subject of Christmas decorating mysteries why is it there seems to be one stray box every year that doesn't turn up when everything is hauled upstairs from the basement? Eventually it does but it seems every year we finish the tree and say, where is that box with the xyz ornaments? Annoying.

My brother and sister in law returned late in the day Saturday and we decided we'd take a break from the turkey meal and have a fondue party instead. Good call. We sat around the kitchen table and it was delicious and fun and relaxed.


This was followed by a game of Trivial Pursuit which we discovered was purchased when we lived in the UK so my brother and sister in law were at a slight disadvantage in answering questions about all things British. Not a lot because to be honest it was hard for us too. And playing games makes for great family bonding. Just sayin'

Sunday morning daughter1 learned she would have Monday and Tuesday off this week so we scrambled around and changed her ticket to go home late Tuesday instead of Sunday. We take all the days and hours and minutes we can get. Daughter2 is a student and her schedule was not flexible so we all rode out to the airport to send her on her way. She'll be coming home in a couple of weeks for Christmas break so it wasn't quite as hard as it normally is...still hard, always hard, but at least her Christmas holiday is right around the corner.

Daughter1 and I spent the afternoon chatting and sipping hot chocolate in Christmas mugs while sitting in the sun room in front of one of our freshly decorated Christmas trees. Hubs watched football aka napped on the couch which is also an ideal way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

So today my plans change, they shift in a good way. I have a daughter home to accompany me while I do errands, shop, and prepare dinner. Just the usual Monday stuff only better. Today will hold an extra measure of sweetness which is the perfect way to head into Christmas.


This girl thinks so too.

23 comments:

  1. Looks like you had a great Thanksgving!! I love the doc pic :)

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  2. Sounds like you had a simply awesome Thanksgiving weekend! I'm with you on the missing ornaments and how garlands don't fit the same from year to year. In fact, I got so aggravated one year that I skipped the garland altogether. Hope to see some pictures of your decorating. Blessings!

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  3. Looks like you had a great Thanksgiving! The snow was just a perfect touch to the day!

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  4. Sounds like a lot of fun, and I love the last picture!

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  5. What a great weekend you had! Yes, we got the tree all set up and THEN found the set of lights we were looking for! Just like you, they were not put away with the other stuff. Enjoy your next few days with family.

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  6. This was the PERFECT post to read while being stuck outside of America. It fed my soul! oh, and the picture of you with your girls shows you all to be stunningly beautiful.

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  7. Yes, there was nothing new about our Thanksgiving either, Joyce, and that is just fine, hm? Loved reading about yours and your family all being together. It is priceless and what matters most...being with family.
    And your sweet girly with the antlers looks like she had a relaxing Thanksgiving, too! :-)

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  8. So glad you get to spend some extra time with the daughter. I know you'll make the most of it. Your dinner looked delicious. Fondue was a great alternative choice. Thanks for sharing. Blessings, SusanD

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  9. You're right, the predictability of it is what makes it a terrific holiday - right down to the recipes. Glad yours went off so smoothly!

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  10. I love family games...a lot. Your celebration did sound very familiar.

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  11. Sounds like a wonderful day! Glad you got a few extra days with your daughter! :)

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  12. Hooray for bonus time! I'm jealous you had falling snow. How perfect is that???

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  13. "Just the usual Monday stuff only better."
    I love that!!
    I also enjoyed your photos and the description of your Thanksgiving. Yes, ours was very similar. I love the tradition of Thanksgiving and the coming together of friends & family.
    BTW, you have a beautiful family!!

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  14. It looks like a special weekend you had! I´m so glad your daughter gets to stay longer. What a treat. My youngest is home too (unexpectedly). I love it. :)

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  15. Sounds like the perfect weeekend and I'm so glad you got the bous time. I'm always glad when Miss K. is home without the boys home. It's just different and nice.
    Just sayin'

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  16. Oh, Mother/Daughter time, so , so special! Enjoyed hearing about your fun and busy week-end. Blessings as we enter this Christmas season!

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  17. I'm late visiting today, but I have my cards done, and I found he elusive box of ornaments that I lost (no kidding!). Love your post today. We had another turkey meal and it was super!

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  18. What a wonderful holiday you guys had!!! Loved your pictures! And to have #1 home for a few extra days was a real treat! I was sad to send my girls off on Sunday, even though I know that Adelaide will be home in less than 2 weeks. I just love having them home. Everything at your home looks lovely. And I love Dixie's antlers. She is so sweet! Looks like she had too much Thanksgiving excitement for one weekend. Have a great week. Love & blessings from NC!

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  19. What a great Thanksgiving! Family is everything!

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  20. Such a wonderful post to read. A Thanksgiving to be thankful for. I can't think of anything you might have missed. It looks as though it was perfect!

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  21. It sounds like you had a nice Thanksgiving. I love your pilgrim candle holders!

    I, too, have the problem of lost decorations. At the moment, I am missing 6 of Santa's 8 reindeer. I'm sure they will turn up in January!

    I'm about 2/3 finished with my decorating, but the Christmas spirit is slow coming this year--maybe it will hit me by the time I finish!

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  22. Predictability is one of the things I like most about Thanksgiving too!! For me, it means the day is very restful (well, except this year when we spent half the day moving -- but that's another blog post!).

    Catherine

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  23. What a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family! I'm so happy that you got some extra time with your daughter. I know how precious those moments are.

    Have a great weekend! Candace

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