Saturday, November 29, 2008

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.

6 comments:

Pam said...

I'm glad you had a nice trip and also about the butterflies. That is so sweet!

Anonymous said...

Karen,

It sounds like Thanksgiving was bittersweet. I'm glad there were butterflies to warm you heart.

I love the photos of David and Gregg on the floor. What great pictures of the typical post-Thanksgiving Dinner consequences!

Take care,
Trueda
www.caringbridge.org/visit/joshgooding

Me said...

The photos are so funny! Are there no couches in the cabin?!? LOL.

How does your schedule look this week? I'll call you later today!

:o)

HWHL said...

I love the yellow butterflies! And I'm happy that is Katie's way of being present with you in a physical way (because she is very much there with you in spirit, of course.)

And I must say, the pictures of the "triptophan coma" on the floor were hilarious! I have to tell you a funny story.... 13 years ago, on Thanksgiving evening my husband and I were just a couple (no kids yet)- anyway, we had the "triptophan buzz" going and the "post-turkey nap" led to our son. So, Thanksgiving has always been an extra-special day for us. :-)

Gberger said...

So glad that you liked these photos!
HWHL, that's quite a romantic tale of your Thanksgiving memories! Thanks for reminding me of the word "triptophan." Love that.
Laura, they needed more space than the couches could afford for their recovery. =) I'll look forward to hearing from you; would love to see you and your Mom this week.

Busy Bee Suz said...

Oh, the pics of Gregg and david are too funny. Made me laugh soooo loud.
Glad you had a nice day with your family...love the yellow butterfly sentiment. Yes, she is always with you.