Family

My nieces and nephew are here tonight while their parents are at a Christmas party. That makes 7 kids 12 and under. The house is amazingly quiet. No yelling or screaming. Boy these cousins REALLY like each other:) It makes me very happy.

Thanksgiving x3

My dad's coming over today to celebrate Thanksgiving (for the 3rd time) and to watch the Bronco game.

He said to me Wednesday and I quote, "Don't go to any trouble, lets just order pizza."

I'm embarassed to say that I might take him up on his offer.

Up Against A Wall

Craig (husband) comes home tomorrow morning. We will pick him up from the airport about 10am.

The house is clean - for a few minutes anyway.

We will be having our "first" Thanksgiving dinner Wednesday at my SIL's. I will probably bring dessert. Maybe cheesecake.

We will be hosting our "second" Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday. We've always had it at my grandma's, but she passed away this summer. My family has always trusted me with very important elements of Thanksgiving dinner. Usually I bring the canned green beans - not green bean casserole, mind you, but just cans of green beans. They have always added the cheese sauce and almonds. It's not that they think I'm a bad cook, we are just ruled by "that's how it's always been." Grandma did the turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and gravy. My aunt does the potatos (sweet and mashed), rolls and pies. Nobody messes with the homemade pumpkin pie and homemade whip cream, nobody! I bring the aformentioned green beans and my cousin brings the relish tray. This is never varied, ever.

My assignment this year is the stuffing, gravy, homemade cranberry sauce and green beans. I have to add the cheese sauce all by myself:)

I was going to do the turkey, but my aunt is going to cook it and save the broth so I can use it for the stuffing and gravy. I think she was worried about me doing too much and I thank her.

I'm expecting between 13-16 people. Should be a great time! I better add beer and wine to my shopping list.

My "third" Thanksgiving will be Sunday at my house. But no pressure here our only guest will be my dad and he will eat anything as long as it's not rare, or chicken, or has large chunks of vegetables. I'm thinking that I might try beef brisket. (Pioneer Woman Cooks! recipe).

I should weigh 10 pounds more by the time this is done.

Flying Solo

Yesterday, I took my husband to the airport. He flew to sunny FL to see his brother take part in some sort of military shin-dig.

I was not cut out to be a single mom.

However; my boys know this and are on their best behavior.:)