Giving Thanks

Yesterday, I had the best Thanksgiving meal ever and I'm not talking about the food (well, not entirely).

There is something special that happens when we have this holiday at my in-laws. I can't quite place my finger on it, but it's a combination of perfect food (how does my mother-in-law do it?!) and perfect conversation. I love that the dining room table is the center of the universe at this house and all who enter through the door are drawn to it to share a meal or story of the past or present.

A few years ago, we decided to rotate this holiday so that travel could be kept to a minimum and to give my mother-in-law a break. We hosted last year and my sister-in-law the year before. As fun and relaxing as those were, it is just not the same as being around Mom and Dad's table.

Dinner was ready by 1:00 and all 19 of us sat down to the traditional turkey, stuffing, greenbeans and lasagna and wine. Yes, in this house, lasagna is tradition. Relatives young and old gave thanks for being together and a hearty "salute" shared by all before we dug in.

The magic at this table seems to be that 10 conversations can happen at once and yet we are all part of one big discussion. To my left, my sister-in-law, who in the spring will be traveling with her family to Italy, was practicing her Italian with my father-in-law. They would confirm with my mother-in-law who was mid-way down and across the table if they were saying the words right. To my right, talk of relatives who have passed and how unsafe visits to the cemetery are these days. It seems lately, folks are getting accosted when relatives are visiting gravesites and muggings are on the rise. So much for resting in peace. Further down the table requests for a cranberry dish are made because rumor had it from another table spot that it was de-lish. More conversations of trips to Italy and the top 5 things to see, how big all the kids are getting and days gone by.

After dinner, desserts replace the main dishes. Some folks move into the living room to watch football, some move into the kitchen for clean up duty and others remain at the table to continue conversation. More relatives and cousins stop by and seats begin to fill again at the table. Stories last well into the evening.

What could we possibly talk about for hours on end? Everything and anything and it is wonderful.

I am so thankful that I am a part of this family and have shared this magic for close to 20 years.

No Rip Van Winkles This Holiday Season

No snoozing allowed.

I thought it was pretty bad that while the Halloween costumes were being placed on shelves,  stores were secretly unpacking the tinsel and twinkle lights and putting them in the last rows hoping shoppers would not yet mosey back that far.

I must say, I used to think retailers were pushing it when things would show up near Thanksgiving. Now they have moved into Jack's (O'Lantern) territory. Yes, Halloween was a few weeks ago, I know. I hardly had time to put out my decorations, let alone pack them back up. Tom Turkey shows up in less than 2 weeks and I can't  find ANYTHING with the traditional cornicopia for harvest time. Well, that's not entirely true. I think I did find some dish towels that I could hang on the oven door. That can technically count as a decoration, right?

Do not get me wrong...I LOVE the holiday season. I can't wait to free all the red and green items, the boughs of holly and garland that have been stored away for a year or to prepare my baking list for all the yummy treats that will be shared with friends and family as well as that jolly old elf. It truly is my favorite time of year. But, on November 12th ( I remember looking at my watch just to make sure of the date!) I was seeking through radio channels when I heard the voice of Johnny Mathis singing "Silver Bells". I thought, "Already?? Christmas music is ALREADY on the radio?!"  
 
My husband is no Rip Van Winkle; he's bought into it all...the lights were hung outside (with care) yesterday.
 
I, on the other hand,  just want to enjoy my chocolate Hershey Bars and fall into a dreamy tryptophan induced sleep while watching football before I have to deck the halls.