We did something a little different for Thanksgiving this year, and spent the holiday with Jeanne. It was just a week or so ago that we learned we would not be moving, so up until that time we were uncertain as to whether or not this would be our last year here. Since Jeanne has been in poor health lately, and with not knowing where the future was taking us we decided to forgo spending the holiday with Matthew's family, just in case this was the last chance that we would have to spend one with Jeanne. She really has been like a mother to me, and adores and dotes on the kids like they are her own grandchildren. So I suppose it really isn't all that different than what a lot of people do - spending alternating holidays with each side of their family. We did miss seeing Matthew's family, as we haven't seen them since the Spring, but they were completely understanding and we were very grateful for that.
Matthew and I ended up making everything ourselves, but it was a very low stress morning and we got everything on the table with no trouble at all. I was especially pleased with how the turkey turned out, we got it from New Seasons again this year and wow....best turkey ever!
Rowan helped me early in the day making the rolls, she is an excellent dough shaper:
Jeanne arrived and insisted on making the gravy, which was a mistake because it was super watery and pretty much flavorless. None of us had the heart to complain about it though, as she was so excited to be contributing.
The rest of the meal; Green beans and bacon, cranberry orange relish, mashed potatoes, turkey, rolls and Matthew's should-be-famous dressing (it was SO good)!
Everyone all together, giving thanks for all the wonderful things we have each been blessed with:
Rowan, going to town on a turkey leg:
Killian, looking handsome and so very grown up:
Times like this remind me that family is what you make it. Its not always the people you are related to, especially in my case. My family is made up of friends who didn't grow up with me, who have no blood relation, people who are under no obligation to stick by my side. But they do. Because our family is made up of people who want to be in our lives. Who love us unconditionally, who support us unequivocally, who invest in our future right along side us, who pick us up and dust us off when the world knocks us down, and they are the people who hold our hearts right next to their own. Those are the kind of people my family is made of, and I am eternally grateful for each and everyone of them.
Matthew and I ended up making everything ourselves, but it was a very low stress morning and we got everything on the table with no trouble at all. I was especially pleased with how the turkey turned out, we got it from New Seasons again this year and wow....best turkey ever!
Rowan helped me early in the day making the rolls, she is an excellent dough shaper:
Jeanne arrived and insisted on making the gravy, which was a mistake because it was super watery and pretty much flavorless. None of us had the heart to complain about it though, as she was so excited to be contributing.
The rest of the meal; Green beans and bacon, cranberry orange relish, mashed potatoes, turkey, rolls and Matthew's should-be-famous dressing (it was SO good)!
Everyone all together, giving thanks for all the wonderful things we have each been blessed with:
Rowan, going to town on a turkey leg:
Killian, looking handsome and so very grown up:
Times like this remind me that family is what you make it. Its not always the people you are related to, especially in my case. My family is made up of friends who didn't grow up with me, who have no blood relation, people who are under no obligation to stick by my side. But they do. Because our family is made up of people who want to be in our lives. Who love us unconditionally, who support us unequivocally, who invest in our future right along side us, who pick us up and dust us off when the world knocks us down, and they are the people who hold our hearts right next to their own. Those are the kind of people my family is made of, and I am eternally grateful for each and everyone of them.