Linking up with some other 7 Quick Takes today.
Thanksgiving threw me this year. When we left my daughter’s Thanksgiving play and headed east for the holiday I was a wreck. My mind was churning trying to reconcile the true story of Thanksgiving and the ongoing issues of racial injustice in our country with the family celebration that was to come.
It was to my good fortune that I had a 15 hour car ride to think (well I actually slept for most of it but I manged to stay awake through most of Alabama). I wrote this and finally at midnight on Thanksgiving eve I was ready to for my feast. Holidays are like that, they stir up all the gloom and sorrow and force us to plunge into it and if we are willing we find that we can still celebrate in a way that mysteriously transcends the suffering of our every day life.
Here is a quick rundown of a few of our favorite moments and of the things for which I am most grateful.
- Old friends: We stopped by Roswell, GA and made a quick visit with some of our dearest friends. We first met when we were both newlywed working in Piedras Negras, Mexico. There is something satisfying about seeing our own kid make friends with the children of those who are dear to us.
2. Food. We had a bit of a mishap with the turkey, the roasting pan from the Dollar Tree didn’t hold up (should we be surprised here?) all of the fat and broth drained through the bottom of the pan, through the oven and onto the floor. Luckily I was still in bed and Michael cleaned it up. And no worries my mother-in-law is a wonder-worker and the the turkey came out just fine.
3. This Family. Posed for the obligatory holiday photo.
4. Fall Color: While we don’t get much of an Autumn in South Texas a week in the Georgia Hills satisfied our longing for crimson hues. This is the Riverwalk in Columbus, GA along the Chattahoochee.
5. Barbecue. Georgia style, complete with a bluegrass band. This is the best, we never let a visit go by without a visit to the famous Country’s and this girl always cleans her plate.
6. Decorating. One perk of traveling for Thanksgiving is that you get a little taste of Christmas at the same time.
7. Amazing places.
This is just about the best playground I have ever seen, the kids become spiders climbing up in a giant web.
Stopping with the grandparents for seafood on Mobile Bay after an hour long boat ride. We got caught in a rain storm on the way back which, while though miserably cold, only served to make it a more memorable adventure.
Our drive home included a stop at the Boudin Shop. Can I just say I love Louisiana and all things Cajun (as long as it isn’t too spicy for this Ohio girl). Z loved the glazed alligator heads.
And now we are grateful to be home even if our suitcases don’t get unpacked until after Christmas (which is seeming more and more likely everyday).
Hope you had a great one too. I’d love to here about it.
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