Once again, we decided to stay home this year and have dinner here. We had invited a few friends but they were unable to come, so it's just the five of us now. Ronnie is planning to come over in a little while, just in time for a late lunch / early dinner, along with fresh homemade apple pie and Sams' pumpkin pie.
Instead of doing all of the cooking ourselves, we bought a smoked turkey dinner from Hickory River. Man that turkey is good!! Came with mashed potatoes, green beans, stuffing and rolls ... so we made sweet potatoes and cranberry relish and corn salsa and pie. We'll likely do this again next year, but perhaps add in some green bean casserole. I think I like it better.
After our first round of food (I am under no illusions that we won't be grazing all day), we are now doing a Lord of the Rings marathon ... currently in the middle of the Fellowship of the Ring. Ember is on the back for the couch staring at the screen as if she understands it, and Nitro is curled up on his bed under the cat tree, where Smoke is curled in a hammock that she barely fits into. The ratties all got a taste of apple from the cores and have piled into their hammocks to sleep it off, and Guen and DK got some turkey bits and are curled up in their pen where it's warm.
At the risk of sounding trite ... I am so thankful for everything that we have. God has blessed us greatly and while the path hasn't been smooth, I think that really has helped us to be grateful for where we are. We have good jobs, a great house, plenty of food and the ability to help others. Life is good.