A Place Like This......

Feasting

We cooked for two days. Ruth , Susie, and I did our usual "day before Thanksgiving" cooking marathon.

It's a good thing we cooked so much because a whole bunch of hungry people showed up.

As the time of feasting approached everyone took their usual preparatory places. Barry carved the turkey.

Larry mashed the potatoes.

Ruth made her famous pies.

 Our feast is a labor of love. Of course we have the usual Thanksgiving fare of turkey, mash potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce etc. and then we have the unusual fare of grape leaves, spinach pies, and tabbouli. All of the last three dishes take loads of time to make but it wouldn't be Thanksgiving without them.

Now there is a little story within a story here. Every year since the kids were really little I've made grape leaves. Little miss Z loves loves loves her grape leaves and I always have to make double the amount just to make sure everyone has a chance at getting some. It's a very labor intensive process but I do it because everyone loves them so much.

My sweet girl gets completely giddy upon seeing these grape leaves.

It's a wonderful feeling to make someone this happy. The mere fact that there were grape leaves on this table made her day. She could completely forgo anything else but these grape leaves.

It was a lovely feast among family and friends. If you ask my family, they will tell you that this is one of their favorite holidays of the year. I hope and wish that you and your families had a wonderful holiday. For those of you, my friends, who weren't celebrating this day, I wish many wonderful things to be thankful for.

Music to Prepare By

Thanksgiving is one of our favorite holidays. Way back in August I was feeling a little blue about the fact that so many of our children were going off to college and we anticipated that many of them would be missing this year. .........NOT. They all made the greatest effort to get here and we had a normal full house for the holidays.

It's a time when we all gather and work together to put on an incredible feast and enjoy eachother's company.

This year, helping immensely was Little "O".  

Last year the kids insisted that we should all sit at one table. No More Kid Table was the request. Last year I rented tables, chairs, and linens from a local event company and we had such a favorable response that we did it again this year.

"O" was really into setting up the tables and chairs but felt it was moving rather slowly. He refused our help.

To help move things along a little quicker, big sister Mimi pulled out "O's" violin and played many Irish gig's. All I have to say is , not bad for a cellist.  Where did she learn all of those?

Next after the tablecloths were placed it was time to put out the dishes. 

The table-settings bring back many childhood memories for me. The dishes, silverware, and glasses were my mom's and grandmother's.

It gives my heart a happy little beat to bring these memories. It also makes the day feel like they are sharing it with us.

Tomorrow I'll share our feast. I promise it's worth the wait. Until then pick up your fiddle and dance around a bit as you go through your day. Happy Monday everyone!

Mrs. Fox Aboard the Constitution

The boy had waited a lifetime.

His grandfather was a master model tallship builder. His version of the Constitution sits above my television and all young "O" could think of was the day that he would see the "real" ship for himself. Did his grandpa get it right? Is it as big as he imagined? Would he be able to go everywhere on the ship? So many questions.

Meeting us for this grand excursion were two of my number one fans Ru and Lu along with their momma Amy.

The USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned ship afloat and is harbored in Boston. She was launched in 1797 and named by President George Washington after the constitution of the United States. The USS Constitution is most famous for her actions during the war of 1812 against Great Britain. She captured numerous merchant ships and defeated five British warships. The ships mission today is to promote understanding of the Navy's role in both times of peace and war, as well as participating in historic demonstrations and public events.

On board were original cannons and cannon balls.

The USS Constitution plays a roll in Amy's life as well. Her father worked at the harbor and every year would stear the tug boat that would take the USS Constitution for her annual sail. We had so much fun imagining life aboard this beautiful tallship.  I cannot think of a better place for friends to meet.

Robin Hood Boy

A year ago my little family and I made our first trip to Maine. My young son who has had a fascination with bows and arrows for the last three years couldn't help being in awe as we were visiting the L.L Bean headquarters in Freeport Maine. There, they have the nicest bow and arrow shooting range, the only problem is you have to be 12 years old. At the time little "O" was exactly 11 and a half years old. 6 whole months shy of being able to test a real bow and arrow.

When young son heard we would be visiting Maine again this year, my child with the memory of an elephant would not stop talking about testing a bow and arrow. 

Finally his dream came true and a wonderful man who saw the glimmer in my child's eye took the time to let him experience a real bow and arrow.

First, we must figure out which eye is dominant.

How one scopes out the target.

Proper bow and arrow holding.

Pulling back the bow with a gentle release.

 

Yes my little "O" is a real marksman. The joy on his face and the reality that a "real" bow is as wonderful as he thought it would be. He has since joined the archery team at school and continues to make his own bows and arrows. It is so fun to see a childhood passion blossom into something bigger. So here's to my little robin hood boy who dreamt and waited so long to have a go at a real bow and arrow.