Somehow, some way, this meal got prepared and tables were set and plates were made and a feast was eaten.
This morning started out in a fairly leisurely way. I got the giant ham in the oven and stuffed the turkey and slid it in next to the ham. They fit. Couldn't have gotten a strand of linguini beside them but they fit. I peeled the eggs and made deviled eggs. I whipped the cream. I made two types of dough for rolls. I made a pitcher of sweet tea, a pitcher of un-. It all went smoothly. And then, as these things always do, it got crazy.
People started showing up with casseroles and salads and the dough had to be punched down and made into rolls. The island in the kitchen had to be cleared to allow space for the cheeses, the pickles, the crackers, the pepper jelly, the...I don't even know! I couldn't decide whether the meat was cooking too fast or not fast enough. Other things needed to go in the oven. Finally the ham came out. It was gorgeous. Children were playing in the house, in the yard. Drinks were being made. Owen sat in the kitchen and listened to his aunties, his uncle, and his grandmother as we cooked and cleared and washed dishes and cackled and were merry. The tables that Mr. Moon had set up in the backyard were clothed in tablecloths and set with napkins and forks. The turkey came out of the oven. More casseroles took its place. Vergil carved the meat. The table on the back porch slowly filled. The rolls were baked.
"Come on, come on! Get your plates!"
"Come on, come on! Get your plates!"
And so it happened.
And now it's all over. Leftovers have been portioned out and taken home, the dishwasher is running its third load for the day and I have more dishes to go in as soon as that load is done and put away. Floors have been swept. I think there are still tables and chairs outside but it's too dark to see and we'll worry about that tomorrow.
We all agreed that it was a terrific Thanksgiving. One of the best. I have been thinking about all of the families for whom these gatherings are fraught with the fear of saying the wrong thing to the wrong person or of old hurts coming to the surface of the family pond again and I am so grateful that we aren't like that. We are all very different in our own ways but we all agree on the important things and we are all so very comfortable in each other's presence.
We just love each other. So simple. So miraculous.
We just love each other. So simple. So miraculous.
So that was Thanksgiving, 2021 and I'm exhausted but happy.
I hope that yours was good too.
Love...Ms. Moon
loving it all! Every single bit of it! So happy for you all! good here too......hubby's B.Day with good meal, quiet happy day....and pie yet to be served. We are so all lucky
ReplyDeleteSusan M
We ARE, Susan. So very lucky.
DeleteA blessed and beautiful Happy Thanksgiving to you all!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ms. Mimi!
DeleteIt sounds lovely. Mine was much smaller but just as happy and festive.so happy for you.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to Thanksgiving dinners (at least) size does not matter!
DeleteVery quiet but enjoyable, got some calls and made some. You all always have a great time. Very lucky.
ReplyDeleteWe do generally enjoy being together. You are right about that.
DeleteSo simple and so miraculous is always best, it looked to be a perfect Family gathering. Your spread, as always, looked delicious! Glad you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I am definitely old enough to be so thankful for these simple miracles.
DeleteWhat a lovely day! I grew up with similar experiences…no drama and lots of love and laughter. My Uncle Dewey DID bring three bottles of Mad Dog 2020 to dinner once. He was trying to impress us by bringing the ‘wine’ (which had never been served before…), so on each price tag sticker he added a ‘1’. Then told each of us individually that he paid $31.99 a bottle
ReplyDeleteOkay, that story cracked me up so much. Uncle Dewey was definitely a character! I bet he altered his report cards when he was a kid, too.
DeleteHow delightful! The food and the company and the fact that you could eat outdoors in November! All so wholesome and happy. Even if there is never a Thanksgiving meal as good as this one, you will always remember the beautiful feast you shared in 2021.
ReplyDeleteThe weather was exactly perfect for an outside feast. And I think this one will go down in the books as a mighty fine one.
DeleteThe chaos looked delightful. Had similar experience at one of our son's home--only three of five families were able to gather (others lived too far away), but with four grandchildren under seven in attendance, there was plenty of chaos here, too. Everyone agreed it was one of the best times we've all had in ages. Very grateful.
ReplyDeleteEveryone said the same about yesterday's gathering here, too. I think we were all just so glad to sit down at the same table together.
DeleteHappy Thanksgiving Mary. The only ones missing at ours was our son who has become even more hard to pry out of his apartment since the pandemic, he's still working remotely, and that he would have to drive an hour out of the city to get to us. His wife never leaves their apartment. And grandgirl Autumn who is in the rainforest of Ecuador doing her research for her final paper of her semester abroad but she called while we were all gathered at her mom's house. We had a lovely drama free day as well with a new baby at the center of it all.
ReplyDeleteOh! A new baby here would have been the only thing I can think of that would have made it all even better.
DeleteI'm glad that Autumn called. That meant a lot, I'm sure.
That looks like the perfect Thanksgiving table! How nice that you could all sit outside together! We were supposed to be 15 but due to little grandson's fever ended up with 10. It turned out very well tho and the food was delicious!
ReplyDeleteGrateful to be done!
Ten is a good number. I hope your grandson is feeling better.
DeleteAre you sure you don't live on Walton family mountain? That looks like my idea of heaven Ms Moon!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely not a mountain! But we are sort of Walton-ish. But are Glen and I Ma and Pa or Grandpa and Grandma? I guess the latter!
DeleteWhat a feast - and how wonderful have so many to share it with. We don't really have an equivalent of Thanksgiving - but I reckon we should.
ReplyDeleteIt's one holiday that I do truly approve of. Now- I don't love the fake story it's based on but the idea of getting together with those you love to eat and laugh and be grateful is a good one.
DeleteIt sounds ideal! I love that photo of the long table in your yard with the greenery all around, and everyone so happy. It's very Florida -- like a Publix commercial!
ReplyDeleteAmazing. Just amazing!
ReplyDeleteThat looks like so much fun! Happy Thanksgiving to all!
ReplyDeleteAh this made me so happy.
ReplyDeleteSo much love in every photo here, so much connection and joy. What a yummy feast, too, but it's that photo of everyone around the table that just gobsmacked me. Beautiful Moons.
ReplyDelete