Well Thursday, Turkey Day was just awesome with some of the finest cuisine ever at son Bobby's and Katie's beautiful home in Brandon with tons of family. The weather was one of a cool morning and then it reached the low 70's for the afternoon and evening and mild enough we men sat outside until 9'ish by the pool watching football games while digesting. Some were smoking cigars and having a libation or two but since I had been coughing for the past two weeks I passed on both. The grand kiddos along with the Everett two boys were having a blast running, playing and enjoying the freedom this huge house offers.
I started the day much the usual with a 6'ish roll out to my cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric and ginger while I posted this ramble them spent a few quiet moments with my Creator in thanksgiving and lifting up several by name. I did speak with Paw Paw and he sounded as if he was enjoying life now living with his middle daughter Pat who is now retired and living full time in Wardensville West Virginia. They were having a big dinner as well with her boys who weren't in the woods hunting deer. All seem well there and now he is rid of the house on Picadilly Street in Winchester which gave him some independence but also was the start of his many health issues when he fell down the steps a few years back. This was such a smart move in my opinion but one he still regrets to some extend as it limits his independency, oh well at his age of nearly 91 he is needing someone to over see his decisions.
I piddled around the gardens for awhile and then took a nice 30 minute or more bike ride through the hood and did need a flannel shirt due to the chilly breeze which had the temps into the low 60's. There was some high clouds but basically a sunshine day and it stayed that way the rest of the day. Nancy had pies baking in the oven and the smell was intoxicating to one's taste buds. We weren't leaving for Brandon until 2:30 with Betsy riding along so we had a lite lunch then I read for a couple hours before getting ready for the nearly hour drive. We were pleasantly surprised the interstate was moving quickly for a change and had no issues on the way over but did encounter a disabled vehicle in the left lane with no way for it to get out of the travel lane on the way home, but I saw it in plenty of time to navigate around it. I'm sure someone plowed into it before it was removed from the roadway as it was in a blind spot with lots of vehicles on the road.
We watched football throughout the evening and visited with family as Katie's folks and grand parents arrived for the big meal around 5:30. The food was not only delicious but beautiful to look it. The huge turkey was cooked outside in what is referred as the egg cooker and the flavor was very good. We had dried stuffing which Betsy brought and was a big favorite of everyone especially the kiddos who had seconds. There was yams, smashed taters, green bean casserole, another dressing type of casserole, a fruit dish with cranberries and a very tasty gravy and the vino flowed as well. There were 8 pies with two of each kind of pumpkin, pecan, apple and chocolate chip with ice cream for those who wanted. I did sample the apple and pecan which were so tasty. I think we had 18 to eat and then a couple relatives of Katie came by for dessert later in the evening. What a great time of fellowship with family.
Well it was going on 10 before we and Amy's family headed out for the drive across the bay. The kiddos played hard and I'm sure they were all asleep on the long drive home. Lee Lee had her pj's on and I'm sure she was asleep. Austin and family were still there along with Katie's folks. Her folks live just a few minutes away but Austin had an even further drive to south St. Pete. Well Nancy wants to do this all again on Saturday for leftovers and we will have plenty as Bobby and Austin's family won't be able to make it. We are hoping Arianne's family will come up from south Florida but Betsy will attend and take leftovers home. Bobby sent three plates home with her last night, LATER
