Very Thankful!

Today did not feel like any Thanksgiving I can recently remember. There was no fat ad stuffed newpaper to shuffle through, no Macy's day parade or Dog show to watch. The day started with a bit of overcast and a trip to meet our Spanish teacher.  She was engaging and we are looking forward to beginning class with her on Monday.

I returned to the casa to try to figure out how I was going to cook a 7.64 kg turkey.  I had a brand new stove and had no idea if it worked or even how to light it.  Thank goodness Regio, the jack of all trades, was in the yard painting pots (a story for another time).  Once the turkey was settled in the oven on my jimmy rigged foil roasting pan balanced a top a broiler pan, I was all good.  The kitchen gods must have been watching because the bird cooked without a hitch and was done just on time. Despite having no running water in the casa, the mashed potatoes, gravy and turkey all turned out great.  However, a shower before the party wasn't looking good and neither was I.

Dinner was absolutely amazing.  We gathered at the Barefoot Casa with 16 other adults and a whole gaggle of kids.  The meal was complete with turkey, ham, sweet potatoes, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, bread, a number of salads, tons of appetizers, a pecan pie, flan, a chocolate cake and 2 pumpkin pies.

Before dinner was served, we stood around the pool hand in hand and said together what we were each thankful for.  (Thank you Courtney for reminding us to stop and be grateful!)  The food was really good and but it was the camaraderie and sharing of traditions that made it feel like Thanksgiving.

I wish I had some profound way to end this tonight, but I don't seem to have the words.  I'm blessed with an amazing husband who picked me to travel all his journeys with.  I have very open minded and flexible kids who have embraced this journey with all their hearts and souls and I am so proud of their maturity.  I have family and friends who held me together as we put this move together and whose consistent encouragement and support helped me get out of the driveway in Everett.  We are indeed LuckyFam!