I got so excited about Christmas, I forgot about Thanksgiving. But here it is anyway. It’s too bad I can’t get a coupon for a free Thanksgiving later since I basically forgot about this one. I’d like to take my free Thanksgiving coupon in April. There aren’t enough good holidays in April.

Joe and I are about to pack up our two dogs, my featherbed, my comforter, two down pillows, my quilting stuff (including sewing machine and cords, fabrics, threads, scissors, batting… gotta get those Christmas quilts done), two bottles of wine, my computer, my bag ‘o fun work to do (this is no small bag), my computer cord, cell phone charger, blackberry charger, camera charger, dog food, two dog beds, my toothbrush, a pair of jeans and some PJs, so we can head up to his family’s ranch for the next four days. I don’t know what we’ll do when we have kids. I guess they’ll have to ride in the back of the truck.

Before we embark on this Internet-free Thanksgiving adventure, I want to make sure everyone has checked out our Thanksgiving Menu 2004. For those who don’t know, this Menu is exactly what we had for Thanksgiving dinner last year. And save for the Cheesecake, Prime Rib, and Buttermilk pie, is exactly what we have had for Thanksgiving dinner every year for the last 30 years.

The story behind The Menu is thus: Last year, for the first time ever, My Mother agreed to let me host Thanksgiving at my house. However, in May, she started to regret this choice and became very afraid that we would not get it quite right. For starters, I decided I would serve Prime Rib instead of turkey. A big 6 bone aged prime rib. Yum. Of course, this is because nobody in my family eats poultry… except Mom. Mom grew up on a farm, which, among other things, was a Turkey Farm. When I told the family over the phone about the prime rib… there were cheers of delight… and my Mother started to cry. Well, we couldn’t have that. And she wasn’t going to let us. So the calls began. Every Saturday morning. Beginning in the Spring. Have you written the menu yet? You will have Oyster Dressing for your dad? You know it’s awful, but he loves it. The twins will not live unless the green bean casserole is there. Do you have the recipe? Isn’t it on the can? Apparently not. And the calls continued, until I promised to write it all down. Which I did. And lost. Many times. And this continued for months. Until I typed it up and sent it to her for approval. She then called every day beginning in late October to ensure that I had ordered the ingredients (yes, I am super lazy and have my groceries delivered to my house. So what. My mom thought it was cool.) But, nevertheless, she showed up with all of the non-perishable ingredients (and some perishable ones as well) in their car — three days before Thanksgiving. That’s when she wanted to start cooking. And she did. But Mom, I have to woooork. Work can wait. Alrighty then. So, one by one, the siblings and spouses arrived. All 12 of us cozy in my three bedroom Victorian in the heights. That was exciting. And we cooked and cooked and laughed and laughed. And we had so. much. fun. And that was the last time we were all together before my mom went to dance with the angels. And she made sure we had The Perfect Thanksgiving Menu when she went.

So, have a great, safe, blessed, and Very Happy Thanksgiving Everyone. And eat your Turkey. It’s good for you.