"Thanksgiving is nothing without the turkey," or so says my eight-year old, and I suppose he has a point. We've celebrated many other ways. Goat curry (no lie) at my in laws. In San Diego we had so many international friends that we ended up with quite a feast. Nineteen or twenty people from around the world would join us at our tiny condo for a world-bazaar of a potluck. The Germans were always on time. The Indians were always late. The Welsh were indecipherable. The Australians were always drunk. Good times that. Some of my favorite Thanksgivings were around those packed and colorful tables.

It's different here. Families eat with families, and while sometimes we've celebrated with friends, more often than not, it's the three of us. And I like it that way. Last year when I tried to minimize the hugeness of a turkey dinner for three people by serving a pork tenderloin, I caught no end of hell from Callum. So this year a turkey. All eleven pounds. The smallest I could find. We'll be having turkey for days.

Callum was a big help this year. We have a family tradition of making chestnut stuffing for the turkey. My dad and I always made it together while listening to Vivaldi's Four Seasons, and I had Callum and Neel's good help this year. The Blood Marys helped some too... When I was growing up, my job was the relish tray, and at eight, I felt it was time that Callum started to carry this torch. I got him his very own tray, and he did a great job, don't you think?

Add to that Megan's Sweet Potato Casserole and my grandmother's corn in her Fiestaware bowl. Not a bad day for three sick kids.

The girls did their part, working hard. Especially Sweet Violet.

We have a blessing that we say at our table most nights and I'll share it with you sometime. I loved Amy's though. It seems especially appropriate around here these days.

Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't lean a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so let us all be thankful. --Buddha

Wow. Love that. Just love it. So family. Just family this Thanksgiving, and for that I am very grateful. But get geared up, for the wild rumpus is just beginning. I love this time of year. Family today. Friends from here on out.