As in lots of people, most of whom I had never met. It was the best kind for me. I had nothing to worry about as far as food preparation or hosting duties or actually any decisions, so I could be an observer for the most part.
The Win-Bins have some wonderful friends who just happen to have two little girls the exact same as theirs. They offered their basement area for virtual schooling during the Covid school closure, and the girls are like sisters now. The four adults seem so relaxed with each other too.
Ryan and Cal zipping off one-liners or quiet observations about just about anything. I can't believe I didn't get one pictures of them together, but I'll have to see everyone else's pictures. I forgot to take our my camera for the first hour.
Emily and Ali seem so different on the surface, but just gravitate toward one another with such affection and comfort. Ali is quiet with the kindest voice and never seems flustered or upset - even with a hurt child (one), a dog accident (Peter), a lost tooth, or 11 people in her kitchen while she was preparing the meal.
Emily is also kind and loving but is usually in the middle of a funny story, sometimes with an exaggerated Southern accent or discussing their vegan lifestyle.
The others in attendance were Cal's parents, his brother and sister-in-law and their 3 children, and his sister-in-law's widowed father.
It's funny about meeting complete strangers, how you know nothing about them except their relationship to the people you know, and then at the end of the night, after talking with each of them and hearing them banter back and forth with each other, you feel comfortable with them. So many subjects of conversation. Just a hint of politics - as in it won't be mentioned - so I have no idea about they feel about the future of the country.
We talked food, of course. Lots of talk about food. Emily and Ryan had spent hours Wednesday afternoon chasing down a vegan ham that I didn't taste last night because there was regular ham and turkey, and I can taste it today if I want to. The ones who did taste it were pretty confidant it tasted like "real ham."
Emily's dressing was close enough to what I usually make that I didn't even comment - which she said upset her because she saw me about to try it for the first time and was waiting for my reaction, and I just went to the next food. Did I forget to say she's sensitive and will not let me live that down.?
Cal had cooked the turkey, and it was so good, the best I've had lately. I regretted not bringing home enough for a sandwich at least. There was stuffing side-by-side with the dressing. They're both typical sides for Thanksgiving meals, but they're nothing alike to me. Each is good in its own way if you don't try to compare them.
There was a big pan of macaroni and cheese prepared by Cal's mom that was also good and set off a long conversation about how mac and cheese has evolved from the real thing to the boxed ones and now to those vile microwavable cups that all the children love but make the adults gag. Three of the children do prefer a Costco variety with more protein. I'll have to get that name and have some bought to keep at my house so I don't have to see those bright blue and yellow cups!
What's left? Brussels sprouts. That was never a vegetable served at any of my Thanksgivings before we moved here, and now it's always a main veggie. My father and father-in-law and probably Mike would never have tolerated them at their feasts. I've developed a taste for them and love how different folks season theirs.
There was a huge pot of mashed potatoes that Ali worked on that was probably my favorite thing besides the turkey. This is young dog, and his name is Brodie or Bodie. Such a sweetheart. That was pretty much his spot for most of the preparation.
With some resting from his efforts when he could find a place.
With three more people in my generation, of course we touched on various ailments and insurances and losing spouses and driving at night and driving in general. Grandchildren, pets, coffee, movies, college football. These are just some of the things I overheard or was involved in. We admired one of the 10-year-old's expertise in knitting, and she brought out her cute knitted pumpkin to show us. I enjoyed a good conversation with a 16-year-old with a good outlook on not being in a hurry to drive and peer pressure and funny things about dances. Adorable and so full of life. I want her to talk more to my babies!
One of her brothers was sick and stayed mostly to himself, only coming out for "Pie. Pie." And the other one too young to get trapped into conversation by a grandmother. I saw him fall down the (carpeted) stairs twice, and Katherine took a spill once on the newly-refinished floor.
The children's table.
Choosing seats.
They did very well by themselves except for the drama of the lost tooth by the same 10-year-old (9-year? I can't keep up with birthdays) - the one with the white sweater. Luckily, we were mostly finished eating when that news arrived with all the fanfare a lost tooth provides. Later I saw an ice pack and some comforting come out in the kitchen once but wasn't privy to that story.
These six played so well the whole night. What went on in the basement stayed in the basement, but adults were called down to video a pyramid and a chicken fight once they all got comfortable enough to ride each other's shoulders. That was videoed and shut down for the future!
I'll add more pictures if Emily has any on her phone that I don't.
I almost forgot the pies. Pecan, apple, and pumpkin.
Such a nice night and such good people. I'm just happy to be included in such a festive night.
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