Happy Thanksgiving!

Here I am, blinking in astonishment to find myself at the end of November. Thanksgiving 2021 is, as they say, in the books, and the holiday season is officially underway.  We've already gone and gotten our Christmas tree, even though the Thanksgiving decor is still out. The list of things to do in the next month looms large before me, and the knowledge that (thanks to COC Christmas concerts) I will have approximately zero spare minutes of time between December 5th and December 19th has me feeling a bit ... well, anxious might sort of describe it? So instead of doing any of the things I am drinking coffee and catching up here on the blog, in the hopes that reflection can slow time down, just a little bit.   

I may also be working on our Christmas card and photo book. But mostly I am drinking coffee and reflecting, promise. 

A bit of catch up.  Jen's last day with us was spent snuggled in and cooking together.  I wish I could keep her here with me always. And not just so she could make that amazing winter melon soup for me every. single. day.  We've been missing her ever since she headed home...

We also got this new chair for free!  It had a couple of rips but nothing a curved upholstery needed, some duct tape, and selective ignoring can't fix.  A club chair was just what our living room needed for the snuggle-in season.  We now have enough soft seating for the whole family, which is good because a new (rather random) tradition seems to be watching an episode of the cop drama Castle all together before bed.  Never a dull moment in this house.

Just when you think the fall color is at it's peak you see this.  The early dark means I get peeks of evening light and the moon when I am leaving late meetings.

On the 17th, Nat and I went to The Prom!  Such a funny, charming show, and a festive way to welcome back the Broadway series.  While we did not get upgraded to loge seats, it was still a great night. 

So many people together in one space!   Still feels crazy.

We had just the most fun evening with our new neighbor- friends.  Taco night feast, smokey pear margaritas, and cookie decorating together.

Toasted Marshmallow really likes our new friends too.  That bunny is getting surprisingly cuddly in his old age. 

Nightcaps around the fire table.  Which we put on our front porch.  Which was an absolute stroke of brilliance.  So cozy!  I see apres-ski fires in our future through the winter...

We splurged and got our family photos taken by a professional!  Here's hoping we get some nice shots.  With a teen and a tween in the house, gone are the days of matching, color coordinated outfits and holiday dresses.  We just told the kids to dress in something that they thought looked good.  After last year's "all dressed up with no place to go" theme, this year seems to be "we are too busy to put much time or thought into this or even really brush our hair, and that is just going to have to be OK."  

I sure do love these big-haired, increasingly tall people.

Jack had his first official meet of his high school swim career on the 23rd.  It was just our team swimming against ourselves but that did not matter a bit.  All the parents came, all the little sibs were dragged along, and even a bunch of high schoolers came to watch and cheer.  So fun- and so much faster than the summer meets.  I could only stay an hour (all these rehearsals!!) but still got to watch my boy race twice.  He did well, with a 50 freestyle time in the running with the "A team," and a new PR in his 100 breastroke, by 4 seconds.  That's what 3 hours of practice a day will do for you, I guess.  I am so excited to see how he does this season.  I hope he continues to enjoy it.  Last Saturday we had a parenting fail and simply forgot to wake him for practice.  He was actually disappointed to miss it, which says a lot.  

Bleachers full of our community!  Had a blast catching up with some mom friends, and cheering for all of their kiddos along with my own.  

We had a game day/ hangout with Tiffany and Greg, to do our Thanksgiving side dish swap.  Crazy to think that these two young men have been friends since they were babies.  They bonded over animals and, true to form, began really talking about 10 minutes before it was time for our friends to leave. 

Thanksgiving Day!  After much deliberation, it was decided to go ahead with our "Gathering at Gertie's" this year.   It turned out to be a smaller gathering than expected as Kristin's mom was in hospice, so their family did not come, and Diana's family had a few folks not feeling well, so they did not come.  But even so we had a a group of 14, tons of delicious, buttery food, and a day of good conversation and laughter. 

Had to watch the national dog show together.  This is a dog loving group!  Winter had a wonderful day licking everyone constantly.

Gram was not quite sure she wanted to attend, but decided to try it and ended up having a lovely conversation with Pat and lots of time talking with Doug.   In this year of transition for her, time with this family is such a good reminder of what unconditional love feels like. 

They even do jazz hands when you tell them to!  

May the rest of the holiday season be just as warm and bright and full of love as our Thanksgiving Day. 

Even it if promises to not be quite as relaxing.