It's That Time Again

It is hard to believe that it was almost a year ago already that I was here. Oh yeah and that the holidays are upon us.

In just a few short days we will be sitting down with our families enjoying their company and expanding our waistlines. I for one, cannot wait. This year is a first as well. My parents will be joining parts of H's family to enjoy the Thanksgiving fare together. T.D. will be in great demand. As the only child at this event she will be spoiled rotten. The attention overload will be a feast of its very own and all hers for the taking.

I love this time of year better than any other aside from my birthday week I suppose. Because damn that is always a fun time. But is it just me or does Thanksgiving reek of tradition more than holidays? We always ate the same food and for the most part each year played out much the same way. Now that I'm old and married new traditions arise. No year has been the same. We've never had a cooking disaster or a bunch of Bumpeses steal our turkey. The only thing that comes to mind that has remained a constant since I've been married is that H needs his cranberry goo right out of the can. Uncut. I know. It's chilling indeed. Yet each year I like to look back and remember a few things.

1. My cousins and I raiding the Andes Mints BEFORE dinner. We would eat entire bowls of those things that my mother had placed around the house. We would suck them down and just pray no adult found us. Or other cousins who weren't invited to partake of their cool minty goodness.

2. Fighting with my uncles, cousins, and my own father over a dish called stuffed celery. One of those awesome 1950's Kraft "inspired" recipes that involve chopped green olives and cream cheese. Mm.... I still feel like shoving as much into my face each time I see one of those laden down celery stalks.

3. The Macy's Day Parade. Do I need to say anymore? No matter what lame soap star is crooning I'm a watchin' if only for the Rockettes.

4. Being woken up at 5 a.m. despite it being a school-free day because my Mom was clattering dishes down below.

5. Passing out from drinking too much "soda" from the bar.

6. Hearing my parents argue about how to carve the turkey in whispered tones as if no one else could hear them.

7. Hiding dinner rolls from my cousins. From the sound of this and some of the above it was as if we were starved little kids am I right? Just greedy it seems.

8. Chips and Dip...mouth. watering. Must stop thinking of dip....and chips....

9. The incredible quiet that falls on the house as the last guest leaves and you realize it is only 6 p.m.

10. The incredible loudness that overcomes each room in the house when it is at full capacity and dinner has yet to be served.

What Turkey day memories do you have Internets? I would love to know.