Thursday, 16 October 2025

Thanksgiving Dinner part 3

I was so grateful that the kids all came on Saturday. OK, most of them. My youngest and I don't speak, so it was the best we could do. (I know some of you are in the same situation.) I cannot tell you how monumental this is for me. We've no other family nearby. Travel is out of the question right now.

The kids arrived from Vancouver Thursday (1), but Friday (2) we played! By Saturday morning, Jesse and I got down to business. Jess dried the unwrapped turkey, and put salt and pepper on the turkey, inside and out.  I write this down, as I don't usually do the turkey. Jean-Luc my SIL is usually our cook! 


Cluny and Stacie began a dragon puzzle.

Showers were had, and Jesse and Stacie moved the puzzle from the dining room to the living room.

Cluny helped me set the table.


We used to have name tags when extended family would visit. I thought about that, and Stacie suggested it to Cluny! I showed her my name drawing I'd bought many years ago:

It was inspiration. This is just two of the 10 she did for us. 


Jesse went for a run. He did 10 km. Grampa loaned him a vest. Our road is notorious for crazy drivers, we sent him along a side road. 


Our Ottawa kids arrived in good time.




Jordan came home from Queen's University Friday. He's on a Reading Week next week. He and Caitlin worked on some physics assignment until late Friday. Oh, the challenges of higher academia! 

It's a difficult puzzle so the moms helped work on it!


Jesse basted the turkey all day. J-L did his thing carving.

Aster worked on the cranberry sauce, while her Papa made gravy. Also, roast potatoes, and carrots.
Aster made a pumpkin pie from scratch, even cooking the pumpkins. Caitlin made an apple pie!

I set up the tripod with my camera and practiced. It took me 10 minutes to figure out the timer. 

Stacie was in charge of it, what pressure?! She pushed the button, and ran back to her chair. Not so bad!





Jordan offered to exchange trailcam memory cards. That was his job when they stayed with us every other week during COVID lockdowns. He led the crew! 




Ta da! The puzzle is done...

Saturday afternoon, they all went back to Caitlin's house. They had ham, and all of them, including my youngest, went to the soccer game. 

Loading up for the trip to the Ottawa airport.


"I hope you can return home with your cups full, your hearts singing, and your spirits soaring."
– National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, TV special.

18 comments:

Anvilcloud said...

What a grand weekend that was. it’s too bad about the missing member. We don’t see or hear from our distant child a lot, but it is mostly because that is just the way that they are and not because there is a problem — at least AFAIK.

Val Ewing said...

It looks like you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I'm pretty sure mine will be solo this year.

Jim and Barb's Adventures said...

I bet you were over the top filled with joy with a houseful for Thanksgiving! I missed your Critter report last Saturday, I am off to look at that post!

Jeanie said...

These photos make me smile big! I love that you were surrounded with your family, grands and all, and that everyone had a role in the festivities, from cooking to place cards to trail cam! It looks loads of fun, filled with lots of laughter and grand festivities. I think you've much for which to be thankful and it's in all these photos.

Barbara Rogers said...

What an excellent series of photos of family, activities, food, fixins, and placemarks even. I am quite the vicarious enjoyer of family gatherings...but oh I imagine you heard so much about each person's life...it must have been wonderful.

eileeninmd said...

Looks like a wonderful holiday with your family.
Take care, enjoy your day!

tz_garden said...

Oh, these are lovely shots of your family! Puzzles, good food, nice table - looks like a pretty perfect day :)

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari Om
Such cheer exudes from these photos... So glad you had this family time... YAM xx

Nancy J said...

What a grand and happy family Thanksgiving. Quiet now but memories galore. XXXX

RedPat said...

It sounds like a busy but wonderful weekend.

Mary Kirkland said...

What great family photos you have. Looks like a good time.

Kate said...

That chair with all the kids in it! A keeper along with the rest.

Kathy G said...

What a lovely weekend.

Red said...

You had a lot of quality time.

Far Side of Fifty said...

What fun for all of you!

Kay said...

I'm sorry you weren't able to have your youngest there, but it was great you had a big celebration anyway. It's fun to see that a Canadian Thanksgiving is just like an American Thanksgiving. We usually have our Thanksgiving in December though because of scheduling conflicts with our ER nurse nephew.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

I was in England at Thanksgiving, and while we didn’t have Thanksgiving dinner, per se, we had a fine meal of grilled pork chop, mashed potatoes, cabbage, gravy and an onion sauce that was terrific. A bottle of Chateau neuf du Pape was a fine accompaniment and a cheese tray substituted for sweet dessert.

Lorrie said...

What a joyful time you all had together. Delicious food, creative activities, and love and laughter.