Thanksgiving 2008

We spent the Thanksgiving holiday in Palm Desert with my parents, as we usually do. It's David's birthday on the 21st, and my Mom's on the 22nd.

Last year at this time, I was feeling awful because we were going without Katie. She loved her trips to my parents' condo (which we call "the cabin," as a family joke). She hated missing it because of her illness, and she never recovered enough to be able to make the trip again. Last year, I kept seeing yellow butterflies when we were there, and this year, I saw them again. My mom and I believe that they are Katie's way of showing us that she is with us.

I enjoyed planning the Thanksgiving meal this year (my mom doesn't enjoy cooking very much). I got some tips and recipes to try from FLYLady.com, and brought them with me. Mom ordered the turkey, the pies and made the green bean casserole, while Gregg and I took care of the rest of the dinner. I made the cranberry sauce, the apple-sausage dressing, infused fresh vegetables and "innards" into the broth that would make the gravy, prepared the turkey with vegetables and butter, and set it all in motion, while Gregg and David played tennis and my parents rested. When the turkey was cooked and "resting," Gregg made the mashed potatoes and my dad made the gravy (his specialty). The clean-up was a cooperative effort.

We all reveled in the simple pleasure of sharing a (mostly) home-cooked meal (pies courtesy of Marie Callendar), and each other's company. We missed Katie, but we enjoyed what we do have, together.

Here are some fun photos of Gregg and David, resting after too much turkey and trimmings:

I hope you had a beautiful holiday, surrounded by love.