Thanksgiving 2008

I arrived at the farm a day early to help with the preparations and try to squeeze in a little hunting.

I was there to fetch and carry and clean, but Mom and Dad really have the holiday feast making down to a science. Mom has her handy-dandy list of what will be made and when it will be made and crosses off each dish as it comes to the final stages of preparation. It's like clockwork, man.

And I learned some things. Did you know that pea salad should not be put together until the day it is to be served? Well, it's true. If you prepare it too early, it will form an unappetizing puddle on top. And I was astounded by the amount of tasty bread stuffing that can be crammed into the body cavity of a 22lb bird. I've never seen the likes of it. Apparently, unbeknownst to me, my folks are absolute master turkey-stuffers.

The meal was perfect. Tender foul, perfectly seasoned stuffing, rich gravy, green bean casserole with those little crunchy onions on top, candied sweet potatoes, tart/sweet homemade cranberry relish, fluffy mashed potatoes. And did I mention the whole buffet table piled high with fresh baked desserts?

Twenty-five guests, friends and family all, descended upon the household around 2pm and by 4pm they were gone again, other than the immediate family. All full and happy and content.

It was a great day. There was just so much to be thankful for. Family and food and the freedom to enjoy it all together.

I was able to get in to the woods twice, but didn't see a thing. And while I would love to have some fresh venison to put in the freezer, it was wonderful just to have the opportunity to sit quietly in the woods for a few hours. It is a very good thing to quietly blend into the woods and just watch nature exist around you for a while.

Here are a few pictures from the holiday. I'll be adding more later: