Instead of going down to California this year, we all went to Leavenworth to have Thanksgiving at my mom's house. Luckily my mom's dining room is the biggest room in the house, because there were 12 or 13 (Debbie, Carson, and crew; Paul, Laura, and crew; Gramoose, Nick, Mom, and I... Lots of dogs!) of us crammed into that house. Also, luckily, my mom was able to get cabins for all of us at her work, because that made the whole thing a lot easier. The weather was clear and cold the whole time, which was a bit of a change from the usual California weather!
I drove over from Ellensburg on Tuesday afternoon. We went shopping for all the dinner supplies and won a free frozen turkey on top of the fresh one we had just bought. We went home and celebrated with some hot buttered rums :)
The next morning, I took Sunny on a gorgeous walk around Blackbird island which is down below town right by the river.
On Thursday morning Paul prepped the turkey and got it started in the barbecue, and then mom and I made pies.
The turkey turned out beautifully! Paul has the barbecue method down! We had to take turns in the kitchen and wash each dish we used in between turns because there is also no dishwasher in the house!
Jay wasn't able to make it for Thanksgiving dinner, but he was able to come over the day after and see everyone for a little bit before they all left on Saturday morning. Friday night we went out to dinner at a nice pizza place, and then since Debbie and crew's flight was pretty early on Saturday, Debbie, Carson and crew left around 7a.m. with Nick and Gramoose.
Jay and I went on a short little hike. It's called Icicle Creek Gorge, and it's a short little loop. The dogs loved it, although it started drizzling a short ways into it and I was freeeeeeezing!
Before Jay and I left for home on Sunday, we piled into my mom's truck and drove out to Cashmere to find a Christmas tree. We ended up finding a really cute little tree farm that we're planning on going to again next year. There were a lot of trees with blue pine needles, so we decided to go for one of those since we had never seen them before. One of the people working there told us the blue trees are Colorado blue pines.
Overall, the holiday felt like it flew by way too fast! I think that's all the pictures I have... We were all so busy trying to cook on Thursday that I wasn't really able to get too many family pics. Overall, the food was good, the family was good, the location was good! Definitely looking forward to heading back to Leavenworth during this winter break so I can go cross-country skiing and play a little in the snow! I will update again with more pictures around the start of the new year!
Outstanding update! Thank you so much. I love the way you write and then put in the periodic pictures. I was hoping to see the whole family picture, but I suppose that would be asking too much with so many people of all ages, not to mention dogs. Your mom is a miracle worker to handle that crowd in her house. The table looked beautiful as did the window. She could get a job as a holiday caterer. Oh wait ... she's already done that and has moved on. Enjoy your time off; hope you did well on finals; the end is near (that is meant to be hopeful not dismal). Lani is going to be the very first "guest blogger for Skagit Leeks" -- watch for her this weekend hopefully. I have a new Windows 7 that is hard for an old person. Happy Holidays Hannah. Come see us if it works out. Jay and Nick, too. And your mom. Not Gramouse, though. Love you! Grandma
ReplyDeleteThanks for a great report and some fine pictures. What a beautiful table setting and turkey - yum! Lots of folks to catch up with and things to do .. I imagine it will be a holiday talked about for years to come!
ReplyDeleteHave a nice Christmas and report on all that later!