A Thanksgiving To Be Thankful For

This was a Thanksgiving of many firsts.

 Grace asked to be in charge of the entire meal.

Totally in charge. Not a bad goal for being only Sweet 16.

From menu planning, to list making, to recipe planning, cooking and serving,

our AMAZING GRACE handled it all.

Her menu -

Tangerine Glazed Turkey

Herb Encrusted Duck

Maple Ginger Carrots

Cheddar Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes

Green Bean Casserole

Rolls

Relish Trays

Another first was homemade stuffing.

Scott had to call my mom several times for coaching,

even though it is just bread chunks, gizzards, celery, onions and some seasoning.

It tasted amazing.

Sorry Stove Top, you may never be welcome in our home again.

Another first, I bought Scott an electric knife.

He was so happy, I probably won't have to buy him a Christmas present.

The first disaster for the day.

We changed the name of the potatoes  to "Pepper Cheddar Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes"

 when the entire content of the pepper shaker and the lid were added to the potatoes.

Of course, when we asked who left the lid unscrewed....

"NOT ME!"

Grace let me set the table.

That's my favorite part, anyway.

Scott included our guests in the family tradition of going around the table and expressing one thing you are thankful for. We acknowledged we all have MUCH to be thankful for.

friendship

the Lord Jesus Christ

good health

fellowship

neighbors

football

Grace cooking the meal

family

remission

Scott shared the verses the Lord put on his heart for the day:

 Psalm 95:1-2

 Oh come, let us sing to the LORD!

Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.

 Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving;

Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.

Since I did all the dishes as she was cooking,  after dinner

we only had to clean up what was on the table.

 I mean, the men only had to clean up the table.

 Since three of the men in the house were guests, this was a daring call, but well received.

Guest Grandpa Pat was the first one in the kitchen and took care of the bulk of the dishes.

 Dave finished loading the dishwasher.

Keith dried.

I told him I would make sure his Mommy saw this picture.

She'll be so proud of him.

Not sure if my son Jon actually helped, or if he was so fast, I just didn't get his picture.

The women and children reclined downstairs to watch the classic "Charlie Brown Thanksgiving."

The men stayed upstairs and talked.  No football.  We don't have TV reception or cable.

Thanksgiving without football is wonderful, sorry to rub it in to those of you who didn't experience that.

Another first, thanks to the influence of our athletic guest, Keith - a Thanksgiving evening run.

Yes, Scott's headband is pink.

Yes, we teased him.

No, he didn't care.

He's also wearing Snoopy Christmas socks.

Jon wants to cook next year.

I thought he was excited about all the new recipes Grace tried and wanted to rise to the occasion as she did.

No, he just loves the rule,

"If you cook,

you don't clean up."