A Thanksgiving Family

[plumtreeblossom]

I'm still bubbly over how sailingly well the Thanksgiving potluck went. This was the first event that beowabbit and I have hosted together, and on a special day for us -- the exact 1-year anniversary of the first time we were introduced to each other (by pheromone). And here we are a year later, well fed with wonderful friends, a fridge full of leftovers, and memories of a very happy holiday.

Perhaps only heliopsis and my mother knew of my severe turkey-roasting anxiety -- it was my first. But with their help and advice, I was able to do a little dance of joy when the "done" button popped up on the beautiful, golden-brown bird, all 22-pounds of it. It came out juicy and delicious, with enough drippings for heliopsis to make gravy, which beowabbit and I agreed was the Very Best gravy either of us had ever tasted. mangosteen brought over a selection of very fine scotch and tequilla (for sipping, not mixing!) that was liberally enjoyed. kalliejenn2 supplied punch and pie. The Wabbit made his famous garlicky sweet potatoes, while I covered mashed potatoes and stuffing. Pies flew in from all directions (6 in all, I think). docorion sage-n-onioned us, and I got to meet mattlistener and mud_puppy for the first time. It was a cuddly squeeze in the livingroom with plates-on-laps. But as mangosteen observed, "This is what a family Thanksgiving really is." Much snuggling, much laughter and leisurely fun.

I am, without mentioning it often, painfully and cringingly shy about hosting or letting people see my house. Look up "humble abode" in the dictionary, and you'll see this crow's nest that vanguardcdk and I share. The kitchen is is similar to a ship's galley, with all the pots and pans hanging hodge-podge from the walls, and the floor unlevel. The apartment is appointed with yard sales goodies and prize trash picks, and the cats have the run of the house. Peculiar bric-a-brac catches the cautiously curious eye here and there. The house has a vague Weasley flavor to it -- one might expect the dishes to leap up and do themselves, albeit a slapshod job. It isn't a planned decorating scheme; it's just what we have. But seeing it filled with friends and merrymaking let me know that, in spite of my doubts, it is indeed a place where merry can be made.

I have such a lot to be thankful for, and felt so much of that gratitude on this lovely holiday. After the last guests trickled out, beowabbit and I went a bit wild and used the kitchen in a manner for which it was not designed. ;-) And why not? A feast goes beyond food, when one is blessed with the twin treasures of love and an oaisis of light-hearted time.

A happy holiday weekend to all, and a wonderful year ahead.

Comments

[oneagain.livejournal.com]

Awesome! Now maybe you can show me how to make a turkey that is dripping and juicy:)

Love your description:)

[evilshell.livejournal.com]

It sounds like you've got the kind of place that's really a home. A cozy, comfortable, ecclectic home. I love real homes like that.

[beowabbit]

The kitchen is is similar to a ship's galley, with all the pots and pans hanging hodge-podge from the walls and the floor unlevel. [...] After the last guests trickled out, beowabbit and I went a bit wild and used the kitchen in a manner for which it was not designed. ;-)

Ahoy the kitchen! Strike your colours and prepare to be boarded! Arrr!

:-)

[chanaleh.livejournal.com]

I will note that your subsequent IKEA nesting-instinct adventure is just what I should have prescribed on reading this. :-)