My friend Mae and I went to Pike's Landing for their big buffet. It was very nice, as always. This year, though, the turkey was a little dry as was the ham. The beef roast was perfect, however, and the gravy was phenominal and flavorful. And the creme brulee (as well as the rest of the 16' dessert table) never disappoints me.
I took most of the week off and made good use of it. Since I LOVE Thanksgiving leftovers, I cooked a turkey, stuffing, gravy, potatoes and corn. I do not like sweet potatoes, so that is never on my menu. And I've been enjoying the turkey all week.
Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. We would gather at my grandparents' house, along with my Dad's brother and sister and their families. We kids would watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade while the men went duck hunting and the women cooked dinner. To this day, I watch that parade - it's part of the magic of Thanksgiving. Since I wasn't able to be with my family in person, I phoned and talked with many of them. I have such wonderful memories of those Thanksgivings past.
I did break one of my own rules - I put up my Christmas tree before I ate Thanksgiving dinner. I did not turn on the lights though. I usually put it up the day after the big dinner, but because of the MRI, I knew I wouldn't want to do it Friday. It is now lit and already has some gifts under it.
Friday, instead of shopping (I refuse to go out on Black Friday - there are animals in those stores), I had an MRI on my back. I have been seriously considering lumbar surgery, as the pain in my back is getting stronger and is there all the time, even when I'm sitting or lying down. I have not made the actual decision yet, but I'm getting closer. When the tech was talking with me and going over paperwork prior to the MRI, she asked what music I wanted to listen to. Even through the Valium haze, I remembered that one of our local radio stations plays Christmas music from the day after Thanksgiving through Christmas day. So I requested that and it made the procedure a bit more bearable. I was on the table for about 30 minutes and the last 10 were miserable. Both my back and leg hurt and I had to work hard not to move them to relieve the pain. Sitting up was very painful, but by the time I got home the Valium insisted that I sleep. After a few hours of good, deep sleep, I felt much better.
I have been really good about shopping this year. I hate crowded stores and rude shoppers, and in spite of the fact that this season brings out the best in most people, it also brings out the worst in others. I have only one package left to mail and cards to do yet, but plenty of time. I have only a couple of people to purchase gifts for and am feeling that this year may be stressless - I can only hope.
I love listening to the Christmas music and watching the wonderful sappy movies. I will watch "The Gathering," a made-for-tv movie we saw years ago and I finally found on DVD last year. It stars Ed Asner and Maureen Stapleton and I cry most of the way through it. I also watch "It's a Wonderful Life," "Miracle on 34th Street," (the original with Natalie Wood) "White Christmas" and "Holiday Inn."
At this time of year, I think of my family even more than usual. I think all of us are feeling the loss of our dad during this holiday season, But staying in touch with frequent phone calls and Facebook and our family website really helps me feel closer to them.
May your holiday season be filled with love and sentimental movies, with great food and great friends, with wonderful classic music and good feelings about everything. It's memories of this time of year that I bring back to mind each November and December - the scents of cookies baking, the noise and excitement of kids and the secrecy of hidden gifts. And most of all - the love that seems to be all over the place.
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