Post Thanksgiving Blues

The Wine Sisters

Most of the Gang

It's 7:15 and I am the only one up, another clear day in KC, a high of 45º later in the day.  I almost forgot it was Friday, thinking instead it was Saturday.  How could I forget Black Friday, the best day of the year.  We joked about going off to Target or Walmart's last night, just to see the crowds but were too tired to leave the house.  I think some had pitched tents in front of Best Buy early Wednesday morning.

Marlena and The Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheese Cake

James At Rest

Yesterday morning was spent like most Thanksgivings, getting the house and food ready for the family's arrival sometime early afternoon.  It did not seem as difficult as last year, perhaps because the more people willing to help, the easier the day becomes.  And everyone pitched in, setting the table, getting the bird and and sides ready, and the relatives always bring something, usually pies, sides, and some vino of course.  We tried something new this year, at least for us, grilling the turkey outside, adding some apple chips to give it a smoky flavor.  It was super simple and easy, brine and prepare the bird, put the wood chips in a smoker box, turn on the grill, put the turkey in an aluminum pan, then let it cook for just about three hours, taking it out when the interior temperature reached 165º.  While it cooked, Tom' in laws came over, as well as Jean, Evie's sister, and her daughter Jennifer and family, so we had a full house, but best of all, we had some little one's around, as our grandchildren have grown up.  We sat around and watched football until dinner time, around 5:30, letting the turkey sit for about an hour before Tommy carved it.  It was your typical Thanksgiving meal, the kind I like, the usual fixings,  turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes, along with the sides of brussel sprouts and green bean casserole. And a cranberry relish which everyone liked. Everyone seemed sincere in their raving about the turkey and I have to agree; it was one of the best I have had in recent memory, moist with just a hint of smoke.  Most were too full to have dessert but by 7:00, all were ready for some pumpkin pie or chocolate peanut butter cheese cake.

Mary with Her Mom, Rose

Marlena and Henry

The Brussell Sprout Boys

Jennifer, Robert and the boys left around 7:30, but the others stayed to play some Telefunky with the kids, Nick and Marlena's new favorite games.  While the ladies and kids played, the old boys napped and watched a meaningless football game. Everyone left for home around 9:00, happy and still full we hope.  We decided to watch a movie as a family, Tom picked out Jobs, the story of Steve Jobs, and it was pretty good, with Ashton Kucher as Steve Jobs.  Marlena was the most interested, knew quite a bit about him already, so it was fun to watch it with her.  We stopped it mid way, to make turkey sandwiches with mayo, and finished around 11:00, then all of us went to bed, another great day with our grandchildren in Lee's Summit.

Ready for Turkey

Gigi with Grandson James

I did manage to keep my vows from yesterday, taking Bella for a walk along the creek, avoiding appetizers, enjoying family and the turkey dinner, ending the day with a turkey sandwich on white bread with mayo.  How bout that for self discipline.

Smoked Turkey