I wanted everything to be perfect...

Thanksgiving is over and it was so wonderful. We hosted it at our home for the first time. I was really excited about starting this tradition.

To say Sam and I worked hard is an understatement. I wanted everything to be perfect. I said before I've been really into starting family traditions since having our children. Thankfully Sam's been beyond supportive of my ideals and as I laid out my 'demands' he had no complaints about meeting them. I really wanted every dish cooked in our home. I wasn't going to stop anyone from bringing anything if they really wanted but it really wasn't a requirement of mine. Well I should rephrase that because I don't do turkey's. I've never cooked one and have no desire to try or learn. I'm not a fan of turkey and would prefer something else lol so I let my mother still be in charge of that part. But the menu was as follows:
Turkey
Dressing (my Dad is a specialist in that area)
I cooked, sweet potato soufflé, mac n cheese, fried corn and baked a pistachio cake for us and a butterscotch one for my neighbor
Sam made green beans and baked beans
My oldest brother made collard greens while my other brother smoked a turkey and brought bar b q wings.
We had a honeybaked ham and soul rolls (compliments of a chef friend of ours, the soul rolls are packed with corn, chicken, collard greens, turnip greens, musturd greans and a special sauce and fried to perfection) along with dinner rolls and my mothers homemade cranberry sauce.

People also brought desserts etc. I borrowed a burner from my neighbor a little known fact about me is that I'm anal about my food being cold! If I do cook I like it timed up so everything is warm, so having the burners was a big deal to me. I was going to buy some but found out our neighbor had them and borrowed hers.

But enough about food, on to the day! It was amazing! So much to be thankful for, too much to name. Sam and I make a great team and had a blast planning it, but two things happened that was really nice:

First awhile ago I took my mother over my neighbors house and while there my mother noticed one of her purses and complimented it (my neighbor has a TON of very nice expensive ones). Today my neighbor came over with a bag and in it was the same purse my mom complimented. This is a thing to remember because it was new and worth $500. So it wasn't a junk purse. I don't know brands but my mom does and was blown away by the gesture.

Second we shared this holiday with my 85 year old grandmother whom I love dearly. I was so busy serving people that I didn't get to talk to her much at dinner so I called her that night. She told me how much she loved coming over our home and like seeing Sam and I together and how seeing us working together brought back memories of how her favorite aunt and uncle worked together and how she loved going over there too. She also told me how thankful she is that God is keeping her alive to see Nathan and Peyton. She can't drive far anymore but said if she could she'd come see us all the time and I know she means it.

These are memories and I'm all about creating as many as possible!

Thank you Lord for my husband and children. Thank you in this horrible economy you're providing not only our needs but some wants as well (and on one income). Thank you for this day that we shared with wonderful friends and family. Thank you so much for all of the people in our lives. May we never become arrogant or spoiled but forever remain thankful!
-- Post From My iPhone

Traditions

I'm so looking forward to the holidays this year! Thanksgiving will be at our home this year and I'm so excited about it. In past years Sam and I had to bounce to about 5 homes and usually we missed someone or an Uncle called the next day insulted that we didn't stop by and after having children it became increasingly harder to manage going to more than one house. Now in the last three years I became really strict on Christmas. I said to my husband that on Christmas we will be home. Period. As many people can come over as can fit, the more the merrier but it will be at home, this year I've set the same rule on Thanksgiving.

My mother always had the best holiday traditions and I'm so excited to be able to mimic hers and create some of my own. Both of my parents agreed readily to me taking over and have given in to me calling the shots. I actually think they like the idea. I remember going to Thanksgiving dinner at my grandparents and then it switching to my parents house and now ours. It's amazing to see how life progresses and changes. My mother always cooked everything and now I'm excited about doing everything (except the turkey...I don't do turkeys lol she can still handle that).

I've been enjoying so much organizing and planning this. The menu I put together is amazing (yes I'm bragging). Even though I don't do it often, I'm beginning to love entertaining and love being a host. I hope to bring our children many fond memories this holiday season and in years to come.
-- Post From My iPhone