Giving Thanks

We've had an Indian Summer come at the end of October after a few weeks of water-logging weather patterns.  November begins on the cool side of the thermometer, but gradually climbs to normal and descent patterns.  It was a quiescent meteorological map when Grant caught his flight out of Laguardia Airport in NYC to fly to Dallas for a brief visit.  We give thanks for his time here.

Grant's schedule brings him through the gate at DFW's Terminal C a little after 10 PM on Wednesday night and it will require him to depart Terminal C early Friday morning.  He is traveling light as he has no need to pack much clothing for his short stay, but we have a lot of miles and food to pack into the next 31 hours.  

Let's get going:

Item No. 1: Land in Dallas and head straight for What-A-Burger for dinner.  Actually What-A-Burger is more than a dinner, it is the birthright for this native Texan and a mighty fine way to pay homage for a returning native son.  He has enjoyed (and even raved about) the many culinary offerings that are found in New York, but a return to Texas soil requires a stop at the A-framed orange and white temple to the quintessential burger(s) of the Lone Star State.  Grant sacrificed an A-1 Thick 'n Hearty Burger to his Texan taste buds and followed this offering with a drink offering of Dr. Pepper along with a prayer of Thanks.  The Land and the sojourner were again united and all was well before we all headed off to bed a slip before the midnight hour.

Glenda and her mother Nan
Our consummate hostesses
For Thanksgiving 2018

With the stroke of 12 it became Thanksgiving.  Thanksgiving had been mostly arranged weeks earlier when Glenda, the mother of Grant's girlfriend Kaileen, had graciously invited the three of us once again to their home near Houston.  Kaileen had arrived home a day earlier, and we would see her and her parents and Glenda's parents, Nan and Wiley at the feasting table that afternoon.  

And what a table and what a spread it was!

We packed ourselves and a couple of Sue's homemade pies (spiced pumpkin and pecan) into the car and headed the 226 miles south (~3 1/2 hours) to where warm greetings and warm eatings awaited us.  We were welcomed in, this, the third time in the last four years and it now feels almost like home for us Sunesons.

Glenda and Sue check the progress of the food preparations

A brief interlude of settling kitchen coordination 

Tranquility and Tasty Perfection Reigns Supreme in the Kitchen

Sue, Grant, Kaileen and Wiley
Shuffling their Feet and Licking their Chops
Waiting for the 'Let's Give Thanks' Signal
and then the
'Let's Eat!' Signal

Grandma 'Nanna Nan', Kaileen and Grant

The Table before the Feast

 Glenda had been working long on preparing a most magnificent spread for the eight of us (Kaileen's brother was in Virginia as an Americore trainee working in the National Forest Management Program and unable to join us other than by phone).  We were sorry that Conner missed out, as we had a delicious moist turkey, ham and brisket, a chunky and mildly tart [the way I prefer it] cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes and gravy, mac & cheese, sweet corn casserole, fruit ambrosia, pickled beets [another favorite of mine] with rolls placed on top of food and a few more items that helped crowd out the last open space on my plate, along with a choice of wines.  We gave thanks, we enjoyed every last bit and every blessing that was placed before us.

L to R: Sue, Nan, Wiley, Greg, Glenda, Kaileen and Grant
A Big, Bountiful and Blessed Thanksgiving!

Fortunately everyone had seen
Sue's homemade pies make their entrance -
So we had enough room for our choice of
Pecan or Pumpkin - or BOTH!

While Grant was flying from New York on Wednesday evening, Sue had finished up at work and scurried home to roll out a couple of pie crusts and get her promised desserts ready for an 8 AM departure on Thursday morning.  She tried a new method of pumpkin pie making this year.  To high acclaim, she ground whole spices fresh just before mixing them into the filling [this was instead of using previously ground and packaged spices from the typical supermarket shelf; it made a noticeable improvement].  We all experienced the rich and full taste of those spices on the first bite - and even before the first bite we could smell something good.  

Grant and Kaileen
Digesting in the living room after the feast

Wherever and Whenever Families gather, 
Families will pull out their phones and photograph.
No exceptions here.

Sue sets her phone/camera settings
as we gather poolside in the back
under sunny 65 weather

Nan asks that someone take a photo

Nan wants you, you and you to stand next to Kaileen
We eagerly comply

Greg, Glenda, Kaileen and Grant

Kaileen's whole family (except Conner)
Wiley, Nan, Glenda, Kaileen and Greg

Kaileen joins with the Sunesons

Hey! What's that? 

This could be fun

Grant has to be at the Dallas airport by 7 AM tomorrow, which means we have another 3 1/2 hour drive back north on I-45 after a wonderful afternoon.  We said our good byes and had parting hugs as we carried a load of lovely food scraps back out the door.  We snacked on the leftovers that Glenda packed for us once we got home at 10.  However, we will need to be up at 5:45 AM [So this is what Black Friday feels like?] to get Grant to DFW.   

It all went well and it was all, all so good.
We are Thankful.