Thanksgiving

Our co-op tradition is the most unexpected of holiday traditions, but it has become one of my favorites.  Several weeks before Thanksgiving on a random shopping trip, one of the kids will notice the three ring binder with a turkey on the front is sitting out by the deli section.  There will be a few cheers about how close Thanksgiving is and then I'll turn the book to the very last page and add my name under the 24 to 25 pound turkey list.

This year went just like that.  And as Thanksgiving approached there was a lot of talk and anticipation about the Tuesday before Thanksgiving shopping trip.  It's the kick off to our holiday celebration and I love that the kids see it that way too (and remember it each year before I bring it up).



I'm so aware these days of how fast life goes.  For the most part that is a good thing because it keeps me in the moment and appreciating what I have.  Sometimes though it leaves me too aware.  It stings just a bit to know that I won't always have these little troopers around to do life with on a daily basis. That is what I was thinking about this year as they posed with the turkey on their head for a picture.  But then I remembered that traditions die hard and maybe, just maybe, I'll be lucky enough to have teenagers who still want to shop with me and pose for silly pictures.


{They did all of their baking without me.  I only came in the kitchen to take the picture.}

On Wednesday we spent the day cleaning and baking.  Cornbread for Jackson and pumpkin bars for Grace.  I made some venison summer sausage and precooked my delicata squash.  It was a wonderful day of preparations and thankfully spirits were high for most of the day which always makes cleaning and cooking more fun.



As for the actual day of Thanksgiving this year it was another really good one, minus the snow that I wanted.  Also I had a real crabby hour right before everyone came but then all was good after that.










{Maya watching the squirrels while we finish getting dinner ready}


{Katie's beautiful place settings}

It was a nice relaxing day.  There was a cozy fire, and puzzling, and appetizers, and a lot of passing around a sleepy Iyla.  We are trying to teach Grace and Jackson 500, the card game I grew up playing at every holiday.  Grace is really enjoying it and it was fun to get in some rounds of that.



Dinner was SO, SO good.  We are all running on autopilot for the most part.  My mom making her potatoes, stuffing and gravy, Katie with cream cheese corn, green beans and cranberries and Ryan with the turkey.  Jackson has made cornbread for several years now and Grace her pumpkin bars.  I always make some sort of squash and the last few years I've gone with delicata which I've been happy with.  I was also able to make some venison summer sausage for appetizers this year which I'd like to make a tradition.  I changed up my pumpkin pie recipe this year too which I liked way better (sorry Mark Bittman, I do love you but it turns out pumpkin pie needs condensed milk).  Anyway, dinner was delicious.  Iyla even pulled off a Thanksgiving miracle and slept through the whole meal.



Thanksgiving notes:
~ Jackson's new cornbread recipe
~ Grace's new pumpkin bar recipe
~ My new pumpkin pie recipe
~ The turkey was 23 and 3/4 pound and it took about 4 hours and 15 minutes at 350.
~ It worked well to cook the squash the night before.  I baked it until it was done.  Then on Thanksgiving I warmed it in an electric fryer for 30 to 45 minutes.
~ We didn't have a salad this year and I missed that.  We always have so many vegetables that I didn't think we would miss it but I did.
~ Katie and Kris slept over in the camper again which is such a fun way to end the day.  Hoping that tradition continues.


{Grace and Nora made menus for all of the dessert selections.  Grandma Sam and Grandpa Scott joined us for dessert too Grandma brought all of her pies.}


{Happy Birthday Grandma Lee!}