Happy Thanksgiving to all! We were lucky to have all the kids home this year. Fiona came here first before going on later in the day to her cousin's home where she will spend the night. Rob helped with a lot of the food prep this year, chopping veggies, making mac and cheese, a quiet but oh so helpful presence in the kitchen. I made 5 pies and most are all ready nigh onto gone. I try to make sure that there is something for everyone as I think everyone deserves to have a favorite food on a special day. Hence pecan pie, chocolate mousse pie, lemon merangue pie, apple pie, and pumpkin pie. A fruit salad for my sister in law who is diabetic. We have a rather diverse Thanksgiving menu, owing in large part to the blending of our family favorites with the traditional New England menu and sides. We had turkey with stuffing cooked in the bird and outside the bird (because some of us love stuffing but don't eat meat) I had a vegetarian entree of quinoa stuffed eggplant, we had mac and cheese, a big pot of sauteed spinach, and then all the usual suspects that one sees at a classic Thanksgiving day dinner in New England. Somehow between an instant pot, two crock pots and all 4 burners and the oven, we got it all cooked, baked and served!
I am thankful that my FIL and SIL could be with us, as well as my BIL and his wife, our dear friends who are godparents to our kids were also here. It was freezing outside but inside there was a lot of love and laughter and I am truly blessed. My FIL recently had a health scare and we are even more mindful of the fact that the times we are together need to be treasured as they are finite.
In many ways this has been a very hard year. We have had a number of really tough financial issues to deal with. But there is always much to be grateful for. Our kids are amazing. They are thoughtful, they are fun to be with and they are caring. KC who now goes by Ken in the work world, has a part time job at a grocery store and helps with a class at the dance school he attends. He decided he wanted a character part in the dance recital--which is part theater as well as dance. He auditioned last week and got a role. It is hard to believe that this is the child who used to clutch my hand so tightly back stage that I could feel my bones protest!
Fiona has a part time job also and is doing so well for herself. She is setting goals and learning money management and slowly becoming more adult in her choices.
Elisabeth is almost 12 and spunky sassy and personable. I admire her ability to stand up for herself and others--she is rarely swayed by the opinions of others.
Chet is happy and helpful and always in the thick of things. Rob is a quietly helpful guy, a respected employee of the restaurant where he is a chef and as beloved a brother as he is a son.
I truly am so very blessed.
