A week late…
We had a wonderful one, though! This year we went up to Huntsville. Brian’s mom had hip surgery late October and was under doctor’s orders to not do ANYTHING. Nothing. Nada. “Doc. You want a mom and grandma not to do anything on Thanksgiving??” Yep. So! Step in daughters-in-law! Beverly & I got with Janet, got recipes, and figured out who was going to do what. Brian’s dad always does the turkey, so no worries there. And actually, since the doc’s orders were for 12 weeks of doing nothing, we’ll probably be stepping up at Christmas as well!
I learned that squash cooks down really really small. Actually, I knew that, I just didn’t think of it until late Tuesday night when I looked at how inadequate the 2 lbs would be for 11 people. So, a Wed. night trip to Huntsville Target for more squash and cheese. Target individually wraps their squash. It was annoying, for the record. I told the cashier that I’d never seen individually wrapped squash and she said, “I love it! You don’t have to worry about people’s dirty hands having touched it and all that!” I said, “I wash my squash.” *shrug* Oh! And after unwrapping all of that squash, I STILL had to wash it!
I also learned that if you leave a jello mold in hot water for just a second or two too long, it’s not pretty. This was my first experience with a jello mold. It went alright. You have to put it in hot water to help it pull away from the mold. I had it in a little too long. Thankfully, it was about the same time that we learned that turkey #1 wasn’t done so it went back into the fryer and turkey #2 got cooked a little longer as well. Stuck the jello back in the fridge and it was fine by dinner time!
The children were on their best behavior and we just had a really nice visit. Taylor’s cousin, Ariel, stayed the night. We actually had planned that Taylor stay over at Mike & Bev’s but big kids still intimidate Taylor – even if those big kids are her cousins. Maybe next year – I think she would’ve had a blast, but such is the fickleness of a 3 yr old. Somewhere in there was a walk with all the kids. Hopefully Brian can add that in here somewhere as I didn’t partake in that one.
Tom & Brian met up with Kenny, his mom, and Lauren and saw Casino Royale. He said it was a good movie, but not anything like the other James Bond movies. It was suggested that I wait for it to come out on DVD.
Friday night, Brian & I, Tom, and Taylor went to Huntsville Botanical Gardens and saw the Christmas lights. If you’re ever in or near Huntsville, AL between Thanksgiving and Christmas, this is a MUST SEE. I don’t remember what we did Saturday night… oh! Tom & Brian cooked dinner! That was fun. Actually, they did a wonderful job and Janet & I both are grateful to have men who can cook and not destroy the kitchen. :) Sunday church, some playtime with another 3 yr old in the church playground, lunch and then head on home.
It was busy, yet oddly relaxed.