Thanksgiving - The Next Morning

Well, we made it happen once again.  For the past 6 years, we have managed to pull off a full-fledged Thanksgiving dinner here at the cottage with all of the family together - all 11 in 2006 and after Bob passed that December 17, all ten of us.  The five kids all sleep in the Yogatorium and that makes it possible.  Some of the cooking takes place during the days before but the making of the dressing (We made enough for 40 this year!  Everyone can take some home.  Kelsey is really tickled with all the leftovers she can take back to Clemson.) and the meats (fried turkey and roasted ham) yesterday.  This year we got smart and scheduled the meal for 6:00 and managed to have it all ready by then. Took us five years to learn that no matter how much had been done before, the day of was impossible to complete the food stuff by 2:00 or 3:00 or even 4:00!  Here's a partial list:  cranberry salad (which no one eats except me and Luke, but mother always made it), sweet potato souffle, macaroni and cheese, corn bread dressing and gravy, collards, roasted veggies (for me), Coca-cola chocolate cake, pecan pie, cherry-o-cheese pies (2), pumpkin pie, apple pie and ice cream, and I'm sure I've left something out   Oh - the fried turkey and roasted ham!  And  homemade chex mix for snacking and cornbread.  and????.....It was cold so we couldn't spill out to the porch and all crammed into the cottage for serving AND eating!  We watched football (some watched more than others and it was impossible to hear the commentary - too much chatting going on) and Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving. The kids played cards - War and Go Fish, etc.  There was champagne and beer and sparkling grape juice - and the discussion of whether or not Kelsey (the oldest ) was allowed - is 18 legal?  In a home?  That was her contention.  How exciting to have another family member attending Clemson!  Most of you know Bob and I taught there, I got two degrees there and both Tate and Luke graduated from Clemson.  Of course, Bob and I, and Luke's wife Susan went to Carolina, as well as Clemson, so tomorrow night's game will be on everyone's mind - lucky Tate's family will be there - the rest of us will watch it on TV and be happiest if Clemson wins - which of course they will???.......Today, being Black Friday, the women and kids will go shopping (except me) and some kids and the men will fish and shoot skeet.  Me?  I'll float around between what's going on and enjoy all of it!  Photos next time - can't find my camera this morning among all the belongings strewn all over the place!