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.

Thanksgiving has arrived!

 Our kids flew all the way from Vancouver to Ottawa on Thursday, Oct. 9th for a Thanksgiving visit. They rented a car, and drove an hour to our home. In the dark!

There were preparations! 

Caitlin and I decided on the menu for the Thanksgiving meal. Very traditional. A celebration of harvest and a time to be together and thankful.

I made beds in the basement. That queen-sized mattress is wonderful. We use it a lot for the Ottawa grandkids. The Vancouver girls were sleep on the couch. Jesse and Stacie on the mattress.

We counted chairs. We had 9, and texting Caitlin she suggested an outdoor chair. I had to find the table leaf insert. (Took a half hour!) Forgetting that there is a lock mechanism to release gave me a challenge. I ended up on my back, under the table, pushing one end with my feet, holding the other with my hands. It worked! You can imagine!

Next, set out the table centre! We drove down to our local farm, Miller's Bay, and I got me some gourds. Robert was there moving the produce. 

I'd bought a silly turkey hat, and plunked it on a pie pumpkin.

Every year, we get a big turkey, then have to stuff it in our little bar fridge and our little roasting pan. Every year it does not fit. 

I decided to blow the budget and get a new pan. I needed a bigger pot. I went online, found this one. Purportedly 50cm long. It was on sale, as well! 

Off I went. Canadian Tire was ready for Hallowe'en! Grampa is in love with the dragon! (Only $249!)

I found it! Except, if you read the fine print, it is 16 1/2" (42 cm), not big enough. Someone made a mistake converting the size to metric! I got a boring, big metal, enamel pan!

 

Jesse texted us the flight number, and I watched their progress, and landing. Then he sent a link for their hour-long drive in the dark. They had dinner in North Gower, where we used to live. 

It is dark out there, and there are critters on the move. Rural roads are very dark.

Happily, they arrived. I waved from the deck while the kids roared into the house. 

They'd left Vancouver at 10 a.m., but they are 3 hours behind Ontario time. They arrived at 20:28, and we hugged and hugged.

Out came the toys. We didn't play Sorry, just played with the markers, and Cluny built a tower of cards. Though it was after 8 p.m., they were on Vancouver time, 5 p.m.

Bryony adopted the fawn, and it didn't leave her side for two days.

I had a spontaneous hug, and we took a selfie! We spend so much time talking on the phone or on Facetime, it was a wonderful hug from Bryony.

Nutmeg had a love affair with Jesse's leather runners.

We all finally went to bed, ready for a great Friday! It was to be sunny, if chilly. More to come. We had so much fun.