Living an involuntary hermit's life. Working towards living a healthier, gluten-free, hopefully cancer free life with my 2 dogs, 3 chickens and loving family.



Living with intention

When stumbling through life isn't good enough anymore..... decide to be yourself and enjoy life, and pay attention to Gods gifts all around.

Friday, November 26, 2010

Traditions

Seventeen for dinner and 3 more show up for visiting afterwards.  Good turn out.
Had Bailey take this of LL and I before dinner.

One of the things we talked about at dinner was this family's need for tradition. For Thanksgiving, everyone brings the same food, oh, you can bring other things.  In fact it's encouraged, but other things in addition to the standards we all enjoy.  And be careful, if the new thing is a hit, it then next year becomes part of the tradition.  Hear that Josh, the salmon spread was to die for. 

We had 2 turkeys, won't go back to making one large turkey, the smaller ones are much juicier and tasty.  2 dressings, one regular, one oyster.  10lbs of potatoes, gravy, corn, green bean casserole, asparagus, salad, relish platter, homemade rolls, candied sweet potatoes.  I am probably forgetting something, but that is just for the main meal.

Then you have 2 pumpkin pies, chocolate layered dessert, cookies, a new pb and chocolate candies Kara brought.  That candy was a hit so Kara, new tradition.

Champagne, Orange juice, soda, and wine.

And for after movie watching, comes the snacks.  Because we would not want to run out of food and go hungry:)  Karen's yummy nacho platter, Josh's salmon spread, spinach dip, and I can not remember what else.

So that covers the traditional food, but the day itself has a rhythm to it.  Every one gets here and helps with the last minute food prep.  Eat.  Do just a little clean-up.  And here is where we have a tradition unique to our family.  Everyone rolls their bodies downstairs to our family room to watch the movie that officially opens the Christmas holiday for everyone.  Christmas Vacation.  Yes the Chevy Chase movie.  Every single one of us can recite the movie word for word.  I am not kidding. 


After the movie, we waddle our way back up the stairs for some dessert, and snacks.  Wouldn't want to give our stomachs relief.  No Sirree. 

Then comes games.  This year we played Apples to Apples.  Always a good laugh will come out of this game.  Bailey and Kara especially love playing this with their Grandma.  They think she is the smartest, coolest, and funniest woman ever, and when it comes to her playing Apples to Apples............They are right!

By that time my "digestion" was in overdrive so it is nice to have a family who spends a little time cleaning up before they leave.  So that is the traditional Staab Family Thanksgiving.  Wouldn't want it any other way. 

Today I am going to do the rest of the clean-up.  Then if my body lets me, I am going out to practice my photography.  Didn't get out this week at all, its really become my outlet to prevent me from going insane as a involuntary hermit.  Better than any drug or counceling so hopefully, I will get good shots today somewhere. 


1 comment:

Leanne said...

Sounds a wonderful day!!!

Wish I could find apples to apples game here in NZ - seen it mentioned often on usa blogs, must be a good game.

We have cranberry Thanksgving every year. Ours is today.

Love Leanne