Family Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving Day we are thankful for many things and high on our list is family.

Spending this day with our family was a treat. Even though we live in close proximity, we do not spend nearly enough time together. The family feasted together at our daughter's place.

We arrived to a home that was beautifully decorated and filled with the aroma of roasting turkey, baked dressing, mashed potatoes & gravy, fresh sauteed green beans and steamed seasoned carrots. along grilled brussel sprouts, and dinner rolls. We brought a Honey Baked ham with us. Apple pie and pumpkin pie were served for dessert.

Daughter Deidre (pronounced Dee-dra) and her hubby, John, prepared the majority of the food. Their daughter, Ashly, and son, Emerson, helped. Our son, Shawn, and his girlfriend, Lorraine, were with us.

Our son (with his black jacket) is pictured with his little sis in the kitchen. His girlfriend is the blonde in the center of the photo. Our son-in-law's parents, Rollie & Bonnie, and his younger brother, Scott (looking at a book), are also in this photo collage. Also our daughter's two puppies, Buddy & Lady Bug (with the cone), are included and Bonnie & Rollie's little dog, Gunner, all have their place in this photo.

After our mid-afternoon meal and some moments of leisure around the table, the clean-up in the kitchen began while some moved toward the football game occupying the TV screen.

Mr. Fun's mom did not join us today. She just lives several streets from our daughter, but she's 88 years old and she rarely goes out anymore. So late in the afternoon Mr. Fun, Shawn, Lorraine, and Ashly went to see Grammie Fun and take her a plate of Thanksgiving dinner and a vase of roses that I had purchased for her.

Later in the day Mr. Fun gathered Deed, Ashly, Shawn, and myself to record ourselves reading a Hallmark book Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star: A Bedtime Story for our great grandson Tristan (Shawn's grandson) who lives in Oklahoma with his mommy, our granddaughter Desiree. Everyone was quite enthralled with the process of recording (which is really easy). The reality of the impact of our voices on a book that Tristan will turn the pages on numerous times was quite overwhelming. As we read, we had the pleasure of listening to our daughter's emotion get the best of her. She loves Tristan as if he were her own. Reading and recording that book was a high moment of our day.

Next week Mr. Fun plans to take another Hallmark book to his aged mother's home to help her read and record a story for Tristan. We'll send that to him for Christmas.

It's been a very good day. My son-in-law gave me my Christmas present: a new point-and-shot camera -- a Canon PowerShot SD940-IS. They had purchased one for themselves and I used it all afternoon--capturing photos for them. As the evening arrived they presented me with an identical camera. It fits so much better in my pocket than the Nikon Coolpix I've been using for the past couple of years.

We started the day with breakfast at the home of friends, Bob & Lynda. They served Scotch-baked eggs, spiced apples, potatoes, fresh fruit, and breakfast cake, and coffee. It was all yummy.

We have had a delicous day of food, friends, family, and fotos.

Good night from Southern California.
Rosie (& Mr. Fun), aka Carol