3/4 of a Century Down

After Dad married Marcella, Thanksgiving was when our blended families got together for a big meal with my sisters, stepsisters, current husbands, children, grandchildren, stepchildren, and friends. The people who wanted sage in the dressing argued with those that didn’t. The turkey was dry, the cranberry sauce canned. It was wonderful. When Dad died, I assumed I would continue this tradition with my children and their families. My birthday is always near Thanksgiving, so we could celebrate both at the same time. Plus everyone has Black Friday off, (except retail workers of course), so a long weekend for me to enjoy my family. And everyone could go their chosen ways at Christmas. Perfect.

Return to reality. This year, Spaulding, Molly, and Ryann had to work Friday. My kids are spread all over the country. No annual all-family celebration tradition any more. 

Instead, a delightful dinner with way too much food (okay, that’s the same) at Steph’s. Kyle cooked a turkey, they made over the top appetizers including cranberry and Gorgonzola cheese pastries. Grant smoked a turkey and made a kale salad. I filled in with gravy, dressing, corn casseroles, and 2 pumpkin pies:1 chiffon as an experiment,1using the recipe from the can. 

Clara was scheduled to bake with me on Wednesday, but schedules change. Sally brought a pecan pie; Patten brought a lime pie from my neighbor’s limes which aren’t quite Key limes. 

And no 75th birthday party for me, because I said I didn’t want one. Nancy and I went to breakfast at the Cafe de Paris to celebrate our mutual birthdays (she turned 81). Grant gave me a bouquet of light pink, purple, and red roses that have held up beautifully. Both Patten and Spaulding called. 

At Thanksgiving, there was too much food to add another dessert. However, Mary sent me beautiful candles. A perfect reason for having birthday cake. I will make one this week. Chocolate? Carrot? What a lucky woman I am.

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