So as I mentioned in several posts now, I don’t normally cook Turkey Day Dinner. Usually we go to the inlaws farm for the day and my mother in law does the cooking. This year however, Mr.P  offered to host dinner at our home. Not a biggie, I love cooking large meals to be honest. And this year proved how nice it was for a change of pace.

I know some people spend alot of time whining and crying about making a bunch of food for ungrateful people and how they wished they had the nerve to say “No”. This is not that kind of post. For starters my sis in law and her family did not come because they wanted to spend time with her hubby’s family since we are all going to be in Florida for Christmas. So I set about letting our friends know of our Open Door policy. Basically anyone wanting to get away from their family or had no plans could drop by. No pressure, come if you want and if you don’t….no hard feelings. As it was two of our friends decided to drop by. Mr. J brought a homemade pumpkin pie and a chocolate cream pie from J&S Cafeteria. If you have a J&S Cafeteria near you, run (do not walk) over and get a pie. They have the BEST pies ever! The pumpkin isn’t made with canned pumpkin, they gut the pumpkins themselves and grind everything up for their pie. So yea, he spoiled us! Mr. B came by and brought homemade brownies that I have yet to eat because I was so full I got nauseaus yesterday. It’s on today’s to-do list. I promise. And my mother inlaw made stuffing (oyster and plain) and her pumpkin pie.

I decided to go with my family tradition of eating at 2pm. I like it because I have more time to spend with family. Everyone showed up around 2:30 which is when dinner got done anyway lol. My mother in law likes a prayer before dinner so I had already talked to little man about him doing the prayer. Since he goes to a Baptist Daycare, I knew he knew a prayer or two. It was so freaking adorable. Here it is, if I remember it properly:

God our father, God our father
once again, once again
Thank you for our blessings, thank you for our blessings
Amen, Amen

It is sung to the tune of “Here is thumbkin” and little man says Oh Man for Amen lol. Anyhow, real heartfelt moment and my mother in law was thrilled with his prayer.

We sat for dinner which I had set up buffet style since our table is small. It’s funny but yesterday I was kinda stressed about our dishes not matching (we don’t have enough place settings for 6 adults and 3 kids) and wine glasses for cider not matching, and not enough table space. Kinda like I wasn’t “womanly” enough or something. But who the hell was paying attention with food in front of them? No one, that’s who!  We dug in and was pleased with the reactions. I had never made sweet potato casserole before and Mr. J & Mr. B were arguing over who got the last spoonful. My inlaws raved about my Spinach & Tomato Quiche and the Green Bean Casserole.  Everyone loved the cranberry sauce I had made and canned last year. There is none left so I am going to have to crack open another jar and warm it up today for leftovers lol.  After we ate, we sat and chatted. At some point I got up and grabbed the girls to start bringing in dishes so I could get them cleaned up. Our dishwasher is broke so I wanted a good jump on them before dessert. Normally my girls fight with me on not wanting to do dishes. Yesterday they fought over who got to help me and who did it better. Even little man came running into the kitchen to help (he put away silverware). Never had I thought I would be blogging about my children wanting to help clean up without threats of groundings and no dessert for the evening! In no time we were done and we started bringing in desserts to the dining room. My mother in law started admonishing me because she wasn’t helping. As far as I was concerned she cooked for the last 3 years so she deserved a break. I informed her of this and got a “but…you don’t have to do it all”. Mr.P spoke up with “Mom just sit down and enjoy dessert”. And she did happily. We dug in with renewed gusto and I am surprised anything is left. We cleaned up again and sat down to chat. My mother in law gushed about how lovely it all was and she hadn’t felt that relaxed in awhile on Thanksgiving day. We made the offer to alternate years. She wants to take it a step further and get my sister in law to host once in awhile as well. I like this idea, that way no one gets burned out on hosting a meal.

 It wasn’t long before people started to leave and that was good. Mr. P and I sat on the couch. Little man hopped up and curled next o me. Before we knew it, we fell asleep in a food induced coma. I think we woke up around 7:30. Dinner was the only time I ate yesterday. And it was all so good. I cannot wait for lunchtime and enjoy a turkey and cranberry sandwich. I am drooling just thinking about it.

Be Thankful For A Renewed Sense Of Life
I Am Dreaming Of A Green Christmas

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