Arrrgh!!!

Traditionally, my family comes to my house for Thanksgiving. My brother has a bigger house, but he doesn't have the time to organize the gathering. We have celebrated at other homes, but I can seat most of the family here, and it's now second nature to pull the menu, seating and decorations together.

This year, my second sister announced that she was holding Thanksgiving. She didn't discuss it with any of us to see how we felt about it, she simply staked her claim. Her sons will be coming in from out of state, and she wanted to host them in her own home. Unfortunately, she just had surgery last week for two hernias. We invited her to participate in our celebration, but she was adamant about doing Thanksgiving at home. I really hope this turns out all right. She thinks her boys will cook the dinner....

Dear Husband's kids have decided to share Thanksgiving with us, so I opened my home to any of my family that also wished to participate. We seem to be hovering at roughly 24 people at the moment, but there could possibly be four more. I plan to set three tables of eight, and I have enough room to seat the four guests who have been invited.

I'm excited about having my family here. I love it when they come together for a meal.. The food will be wonderful, but even better is all the chatter and interaction. My youngest sister will bring her family to us Wednesday night, and they will help with the early morning chores, like making dressing and setting the tables. The rest of our visitors will begin to arrive between 1:00 and 2:30 in the afternoon.

Of course, we do all the traditional parts of a Thanksgiving meal, but we're adding a few things this year. DH requested either cold corn salad (in a vinaigrette dressing), or corn with crackers casserole. I think he's getting them both. I found a mashed potato with Gouda cheese casserole, and a cornbread dressing that I want to try. We're also going to ask my nieces to assemble a torte-like dessert made with brownies, chocolate pudding, Cool Whip and Heath bar chips.

I began grocery shopping today, and I already have a list for tomorrow. I'll do some of the baking on Tuesday, and DH will make the lasagna that is traditional in his family. Wednesday, we'll pick up the linens, the rental chairs, flowers, and any last minute things that we've forgotten.

I'm REALLY looking forward to this. I wish you could all share it with us. Adding guests to family is the perfect finishing touch....and I keep saying "They don't bite!"

If I don't make it back....I wish you the Happiest of Thanksgivings!