Thanksgiving in the Barn

It’s already a week late, but since Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, I want to share ours with you.

I impulsively suggested that we host Gabe’s family at our house this year, hoping the weather would permit us to use the top story of the barn for long tables. Every week I checked the 10 day forecast until I was reasonably sure that we could keep it warm up there, cracks and holes in the siding boards and all. I didn’t have a very good back-up plan, but as it turned out, I didn’t need one.

We haven’t done much up there except some woodworking projects. Gabe and the boys packed all their project stuff into one area that I curtained off with a big piece of muslin. Here is a pic of Wednesday night, as we tweaked this and that to try to cozy up such a huge space.

My dad went out of his way to help us scrounge up propane and kerosene heaters, four of which we borrowed from him. The kids rollerbladed gleefully around and around the cleared areas. My mom went out of her way to give me pumpkin pie lessons. Everything looked great until the cracks appeared. This has never, ever happened for her, so I tell you, it’s me. (I opened the oven door to slide in some pie shells while the pumpkin pies were baking.) Now I know exactly what to do and what not to do. I was overthinking it, apparently.

Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, dawned with brilliant sunshine. We were so grateful for a warm day that made it easy to stay comfortable with our limited heating options.

This photo of Rita, who is 8, and Chloe, who is almost 3, could be labelled “Kindred Spirits.” I never expected to meet another Rita, but there she is! When I listen to Chloe’s mother telling of her accomplishments and exploits, I simply have to grin at all the fun she has signed up for, mothering a child with such a rich inner life.

Everybody chipped in with food prep, and it was fabulous! We had the traditional North American turkey and dressing meal at lunchtime. In the evening I tried to keep the menu more authentic to the first Thanksgiving. We had crab dip (not that the Pilgrims were likely to mix their shellfish with cream cheese and mayo…) with sourdough and cheese spread, pear butter, popcorn, venison jerky, veggies, Gabe’s mom’s apple snitz moon pies, and lots of hot drinks.

My sister-in-law Ruby was determined to master the art of sourdough bread. Master it she did! Look at those beautiful loaves!

I love this photo because the evening was my favorite time, with close fellowship around the propane fireplace. Photo credits go to my husband. I was much too occupied to remember to take pictures. Top of my thankful list was the joy of having a space to entertain a lot of people! Next was having a husband who designed and built that space. And family… we are so rich with roots all the way to the twiggy newest branches, connections to the past and promise for the future!

And the evening and the morning were Thanksgiving Day, and it was a good one.