Thanksgiving Day

An early start. Must let pecan rolls rise before baking. Caramelize the carrots for the egg frittata. Gray skies outside, warm smells inside. I nudge Ed: we've cornered an opossum and a mouse -- both need to be set free... elsewhere.

Rolls come out of the oven, the first young couple, traveling from Chicago, arrives.






Soon after -- Snowdrop and her parents are here. The little girl, excited to see her aunt, brings her gifts of all her favorite stuffies.






We eat informally, taking this moment to just sit back.






But afterwards, the day rolls forward at top speed. Lunch foods must be prepped first: squash soup with herbed goat cheese dumplings. Aprons on. You too, Snowdrop? Okay!






"How can I help?"






Shouldn't we give the chickens some Thanksgiving treats?






Back inside. Mommy reads.






What's that banging noise? Gaga is pounding, then rolling out the pie crust. Snowdrop helps.






Hard work. Snowdrop takes a break.






My daughter and I continue. She whips up the sage stuffing. Done!






"Is it time for Thanksgiving dinner yet?"






No no. Snowdrop. Lunch first!






"Daddy, will you fix my slipper?"






My younger daughter studies the dinner menu.
Ambitious! Do you have a schedule? -- she asks.
Sort of. In my head. More or less.
Let's get organized!
She creates a timeline.






After that it's just a question of who does what, when. Slowly the dishes fall into place: spicy roasted carrots and roasted beets for pre-dinner munching.






The turkey, of course. Herbed, then splayed, so that it cooks evenly. Mushroom gravy. Stuffing. Oh -- that's done already! Cheesy hassleback potato gratin. Pumpkin cornbread. Brussel sprouts with roasted hazelnuts. Corn with chipotles. But really, we must get those desserts out of the way. The pumpkin cheesecake with whisky pecan sauce is done. Let's finish the honey and thyme apple pie.






"It feels like I've been chopping herbs for a very long time."






Studying a family album...






Working those potatoes...






Two sisters standing over two pots.


 



The bird is ready!






Thanksgiving dinner.






A tired little girl (still fighting one bug or another).






... Revives for pumpkin cheesecake.






... And for a spirited game of "who can jump higher."





A beautiful day. It comes, it ends, but the warm glow lasts forever.

I hope you had a very wonderful day as well. With love.