Thanksgiving Re-Cap [2010]

I don’t know about any of you but after amazing Three-Day-Thanksgiving-Holiday filled with: food, family, friends and laughter? I am simply exhausted! And here’s why…

Thursday started out like any other day. However, for the first time in years we were not hosting a ‘Traditional Family Thanksgiving’. We didn’t have to cook and we didn’t have to clean. Instead, we enjoyed a lovely meal at our local ‘Country Club’. And I have to admit; I was highly impressed with the extensive choices.

The restaurant was set up Buffet Style. They served everything from: fresh seasonal fruits, International and Domestic Cheeses, cold antipasto, pumpkin, zucchini and corn breads, artisan breads, and rolls. There was a Caesar salad, roasted vegetable salad, tortellini salad and traditional salads. They had a  ‘Hand Carved Station’ serving up: walnut crusted pork loin, apple cider reduction roasted prime rib of beef with horseradish sauce, roasted turkey breast over stuffing, pan gravy herb crusted salmon in a Béarnaise sauce. For sides they had an assortment of autumn vegetables, green beans with shallot butter, fresh cranberry relish, Yukon gold mashed potatoes, and candied yams. The desert station was loaded with the traditional pumpkin, apple, and pecan pies. Along with “New York” Cheesecake with strawberry sauce, chocolate mousse with brandied cherries, and assorted layer cakes.

Seriously? It. Was. Awesome.

[Left to Right: Meleah (me), My Brother Adam and his son Mason, My Mother, My Father, My Uncle Rick, My Grandfather Poppa Sye. Our neighbors: Stuart and his wife Melanie, Jake and his father Ira. My Son, Justin.]

That evening, after dinner, we made the annual trek down to Wayside NJ. We went to visit with my parents’ best friends for more dessert and coffee. It was a blast. All of the kids played, all of the parents gossiped, and there was even a ‘dance-off competition’ held in the basement via: Just Dance for Wii. While I did not participate in said ‘dance-off competition’ because I was too busy stuffing my face with brownies, my brother did. And he won. Of course, I wouldn’t exactly call it a ‘Victory’ considering his rivals were the ages of 5, and 2.

On the drive home we couldn’t find any good music on the radio. And there was only one CD in the back seat of my parents’ car entitled: ‘The Best Of Broadway’. Needless to say, we sang on the top of our lungs, belting out our favorite show-tunes, to our hearts content. And, I finally perfected my Ethel Merman voice. However, I still have the song ‘There’s No Business Like Show Business’ stuck in my head.

By the time I got home I was completely overstuffed. But, before I passed out from a food-coma, I managed to edit and upload all of the photos.

* Thanksgiving 2010 *

Friday, my family woke up relatively early. We had a long day ahead of us.  I was not exactly looking forward to a ‘Three Hour Car Ride’. But it had been at least a year since I’ve seen my brother Lee, his wife Maya, and their four children. And I missed them. So, we loaded up the car and traveled all the way out to ‘Nowhere Pennsylvania’.

Thankfully, I slept for most of the car ride and I arrived feeling quite refreshed. Which was a good thing. You certainly need A LOT of energy to keep up with four kids under the age of five!  Honestly, I have no idea how in the world my sister-in-law Maya manages to keep the house and the kids under control. And she does it seemingly so effortlessly. As far as I’m concerned she deserves a medal. Because if I were her? Driving into oncoming traffic would probably seem very appealing.

[Left to right: My Niece Zaibryn, My Nephew Jackson, My Mother, holding My Niece Scarlet, (My Niece Sullivan not shown here) and, My Son Justin.]

We spent the day watching the kids play, while my father and brother under-took the monumental task of remodeling the kitchen. The cabinets were ripped down, walls were sanded and painted, and the house turned into full-blown-construction site. After several hours of intensive labor, my father cooked and served his famous Lemon Chicken. And of course, it was delicious.

The kids went to bed, things winded down, we said our goodbyes, and headed back to New Jersey. Only this time, on the car ride home, we did not sing any show-tunes. Instead, my mother, father, son and I, played the games ‘Eye Spy’ and ‘Twenty-Questions’.

By the time we got home my knees ached and my body hurt from being trapped inside the back seat of the car for so long. But I still edited and upload all of the photos before climbing into bed at 3am.

* ‘Family Day’ With ‘The Colonna Kids’ *

Saturday morning, my family and I got up, got dressed, and got ready for Thanksgiving, again. You see, My Uncle Rick was going to be hosting his very first ‘Holiday’. And Gramma Evelyn was supposed to be the ‘Guest Of Honor’.  I was really looking forward to seeing her. I haven’t had the opportunity to spend any time with her since her stroke. And I really miss her.

No one makes me laugh quite like Gramma Ev.

Unfortunately, Gramma Evelyn was not feeling very well. Therefore, she was unable to leave the Nursing Home. Sadly, I did NOT get to see her. Which was quite disappointing. But, considering my Uncle Rick spent several days: cooking, chopping, cleaning, and preparing a Thanksgiving Feast? It was ‘Game On’.

Upon arrival we were greeted with big hugs and kisses. Much to my surprise, Uncle Rick’s house had also undergone some serious renovations. And it looks FANTASTIC. The house felt so warm and so inviting. Before we go any further, I have to tell you I’m giving my Uncle Rick ‘A Tip of the Pilgrim Hat’.  Because he really out did himself this year. The table setting was beautiful, the food was unbelievably delicious, and the company was just perfect. Seriously.

We laughed, we cried, it was better than ‘CATS’.

[Left to right: My Brother Adam, My son Justin, My Aunt Irene, Family Friend Leah, Uncle Rick, Uncle Rich, My Father, My Mother, and My Brother’s Girlfriend Leah.]

I took my own car this time since we had to leave early. Justin had his own party to attend. I would like to take this moment to commend my son. Because after being ‘held hostage’ by ‘family obligations’ for three days in a row, he never once complained. He didn’t even give me so much as an *eye roll*.  I was more than happy to reward his good behavior.

[Now if I could just get him to cut his hair?!!]

On the ride home, the two of us sang the musical styling from ‘The Artist [or symbol?] Formerly Known As ‘Prince’. And even though we got caught in the grips of the NJTPK ‘Holiday Traffic’ the drive back wasn’t that terrible.

As soon I walked in my front door, I raced upstairs, opened my computer and immediately edited and upload all of the photos.

* Thanksgiving [Part Two] Uncle Rick’s House *

I think I’ve had enough turkey and enough quality family time to last me until Christmas.

And that’s a wrap!

How was YOUR holiday weekend?