and of my breakfast of zucchini carrot bread
but that's getting ahead of the story. The story is about the holiday as illustrated by Benjamin's beautiful poster.
I wore the neck warmer that Jane had made for me
to get warm for the game and we displayed the holiday icons of Sarah's plate
and the flower turkey.
Benjamin was in a good mood
and brought Norma into the next picture
while Suzanne unpacked new (to us) cocktail napkins
and Milt brought in the newspapers.
Jane did her turkey imitations
as we looked at other flowers
and the nuts (for the sweet??)
that were being saved for later. Sarah
posed with her plate from 11 years ago and in the midst of an intense Snood game
we found the missing chess piece
as the lady walked by in the Macy's parade
and Benjamin and I played a competitive game of crazy bones.
Soon after, people started to arrive for the football game. The Mulveys came first
and then Els (with Jane)
and Kaylen.
Sarah and Claire did their pose on the new couch cover
which matched Claire's sweater. John and Benjamin were playing PS2
in preparation for the big game when the Justs came
with the all important pump
and Oliver.
We did the air filling ritual
took a few team pictures
and then one of the photographer
before heading to the field for the game.
After some small practice
it was game time for us and the sidelines crowd
was cheering us on taking these wonderful pictures of the game in
progress
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and more game shots
and then this twig with leaves.
After a few excellent sideline people pictures of Sara and Suzanne
and Milt, Suzanne and Benjamin
the last touchdown was scored
and this security guard
told us we had to leave though he didn't give us the decency of looking at the camera. Back at home, we captured this picture of Sara and Lizzie Just
and Kaylen and Adele Hagadorn
before coming in to receive holiday greetings by phone.
The main event was the food. Or maybe it was the food preparation. In the kitchen as we worked, we had the con queso dip
ready to go and mixed the potatoes with butter
for eventual mashing (see below). To get things going, we made some cosmopolitans
and admired the tented turkey
that was resting and waiting to be cut as the gravy
cooked. We were careful to not watch this pot
so that it would eventually boil. The table was set
and the pies were out
as Benjamin danced
too fast for the camera to see. The oranges were at the ready
surely brought all the way from China. Back in the kitchen, the potatoes
were being mashed. Meanwhile, Sarah was finishing up her page for the yearbook.
Back in the kitchen, the cooked brie was doing well
as were the candied carrots
and the mashed potatoes
so that the mixer could be used to whip the cream.
Now it was time to serve the dinner. The shrimp cocktail
was the star
of a wonderful collection of hors d'oeuvres
in front of a fire that was starting to blaze.
The Mulveys arrived with beets,
salad,
stuffing,
a squash casserole,
and new desserts
that John had made. As if this wasn't enough, they also brought
sweet potatoes
and macaroni and cheese.
All of this made Benjamin do a repeat of his dance performance
as the kitchen crew put the finishing touches
on a buffet that looked good
from both directions.
The food was ready. Benjamin led the line with this plate
followed by Johnny
who sat next to Benjamin.
Sarah was happy
to be sitting next to Claire
and Lizzie flew by too fast to capture
as Jane dug into her food
and John kept carving the turkey.
Norma had her plate of food
as did Milt,
John,
Laurie,
and Suzanne.
This was my food
and here is how I looked
as the meat was brought out.
After a lot of eating, the pies were served
along with the French dessert
This all made Lizzie happier to have her picture taken
especially when she could pose with Claire
and we could all see the chocolate decadence cake.
Another Thanksgiving well celebrated.