I NEVER Told Them To Do It - - -

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But they always do! Leave their shoes beside the front door.


So this is how many people came to our house to celebrate Thanksgiving yesterday.


Well, actually there were EVEN MORE of us, because some of us DO keep our shoes on. Isn't Piper cute as a button pointing out her mama's very stylin' boots?

In all, 18 brave souls showed up to sample my Thanksgiving Turkey. Oh, but I don't "do" the WHOLE feast - - - we each bring our "usual." It's so great to have a "usual" so there's no confusion and no indecision about what to bring!!!

Sister Pam brought the most excellent and delicious broccoli casserole. She also brought ham and a pumpkin pie.

Daughter Keri brought the best mashed potatoes in the world - - - I just wish you could taste them and you'd KNOW I'm not lyin'. She also brought a southwest corn casserole.

Daughter Korie brought the pumpkin bread, and I was THANKFUL because I didn't have to make it!!!

Dad brought the cheese and relish tray AND homemade cranberry sauce, with REAL Wisconsin cranberries that he got the last time we were up there.

Jeff brought the noodles. WHAT? NOODLES FOR THANKSGIVING???? I know that's what some of you nonHoosier bloggy buddies are thinking!!!! YES - - - here in Indiana we spoon noodles OVER our mashed potatoes - - - oh, and we add gravy too - - - and if you are wrinkling up your nose in disgust, all I can say is - - - HAVE YOU TRIED IT????? It is a Hoosier delicacy and WE think it far surpasses WHALE BLUBBER!!!! (Which is a delicacy in ANOTHER region and which delicacy we shall not discuss any further HERE.)

And so - - - 18 brave and wonderful people came through my front door, kicked off their shoes, and made themselves at home so they each could:


Ain't it just grand that our founding father's GAVE us a holiday in which we don't have to feel one bit guilty about EATING being the main event?

Ya gotta LOVE that.

Oh - - - yes - - - there is thankfulness too. I really didn't forget it, I was just too busy working my way through TWO plates of ham, and turkey, and potatoes with noodles AND gravy, and corn casserole, and broccoli casserole. YES I SAID TWO PLATES!

But we were thankful. Very thankful.

I was thankful for the food.

I was thankful for our family.

I was thankful for this great land in which we live.

I was thankful that Jeff is part of our family. (More about THAT later)

I was thankful for college football.

I was thankful for blogging.

And I was ESPECIALLY thankful that on Thanksgiving day, I got enough pictures to give me blog fodder well into next week!!!!

How did YOUR Thanksgiving Day go?
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