Thanksgiving 2017

I can't believe that another Thanksgiving has come and gone.  This was our second hosting in our old Connecticut colonial and it was warm and cozy.  The food was oh so good good good and the smell, if I could bottle it I certainly would.



The weekend before Thanksgiving we decorated our home excpet for the main tree in the living room. I love having it all up, festive, and cozy for Thanksgiving.









There was a half birthday in there somewhere too.



I started baking a few days before Thanksgiving.



And setting the table is the real show stopper for me. The food compliments the table. It's all about 'playing house' and I love it.





It started with a not too early start which was really nice and hot cuppa tea in my Emma Bridgewater mug.



I got right to the dough that had to rise before I made the rolls...



... while Scott started with the gravy. He uses the giblets, neck (sounds gross, I know) and simmers all day long. Like all day long. After the turkey is out of the oven it's strained and combined with the natural gravy on the bottom of the turkey pan for the best gravy in the world.



There was PJ parade watching. We live close enough to NYC that each year I wonder if 'someday' we should go. But I think it's way better on the couch in PJs for sure!



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The girls made a turkey gingerbread.









A few minutes before family arrived we took a few pictures in our backyard. The leaves are mostly gone and there was a carpet of them at our feet. That says Thanksgiving to me for sure!





I lit the fire and turned on my music.






The rolls so so many of them came out of the oven.



Scott kept working on the gravy.





I love how it gets dark by 5:00... perfect backdrop for twinkle lights.



Uncles and puzzles and four year olds. (abd carpet that went down less than 24 hours earlier... phew!)



Perfection!



Candles were lit.











And the food we wait for all year slid out of the oven.











After dinner it all about welcoming the season of Christmas in my home. I change the music to the old fashioned Christmas songs I love.









Christmas cloth napkins and little silver forks make me so happy.







And the very best part is when family stays late. Candles are low. Laughter comes upstairs from the playroom as cousins play and we sit around remembering our blessings, laughing about our yesterdays and thinking through the future.