The best kind of Holiday

The best kind of holiday, is of course, spent with folks you love! And, we were so lucky to be part of such a holiday for Thanksgiving. Cowfeathers is a magic place- I think so- but it is special to be able to share some of that magic with family.
We were blessed to have Helen care to come again this Thanksgiving. The best thing-ever-for getting to know my eldest niece is her hard work attending Northwestern Law, making me a "close" relative! I NEVER get to be closest to any family! What a windfall! Helen comes with boundless energy and enthusiasm for some of my favorite things: baking, decorating, chats and going to bed early.
Then, another gift.
Katie and her family also hopped in the car for a long drive from Chicago. Katie is one of Tod's sisters, and brings with her husband Eric, and three fantastic kiddos to call me "Aunt"!

This is interesting. The Dutch version of Aunt is "Tante" and Uncle is "Oom".  Katie's kids call Tod, "Oom Tod" because they have an "Uncle Todd" on Eric's side. And, Helen and her sisters call me "Aunt Cate" because they have a "Tante Kate" on their Dad's side! I suppose, that is maybe only interesting to me.

Anyway, Wednesday was the great day of arrivals! Katie, Eric and family met Tod and our kids at The OSU for a vet school tour and a bite of lunch.

Madeleine had helped me figure out how to seat 11 in our dining room, and she also made dinner! French Onion Mac and Cheese anyone? Yes? How about also a helping of the best three cheese Mac and Cheese Martha ever made (February 1999 Living Mag)? It's comfort food season, people.
Dessert was cupcakes, iced brownies, Molasses cookies or Peanut Butter Bars. Did I mention we did some baking?
Thanksgiving morning dawned with pies already cooling. Well done girls!

Here they are being cut up for after Thanksgiving feasting; classic pumpkin, chocolate pecan, Nantucket Cranberry and Derby pies!
Meanwhile, after a breakfast of Almond Kringle and scrambled eggs, we got started on the table setting for dinner...until I remembered Thanksgiving morning is for fixing things. Sure, pies and sides, but also washing machines.

Thanks Eric and Hamilton for your help! And, Eric figured out a hack to make my next maintenance job a lot easier.

Samuel is a puzzler. He was swift and capably assembled "The Shoe", a puzzle of Columbus, OH featuring the OSU Stadium. This gave the boys from Chicago a chance to learn the odd bodily spelling sport shared by seemingly all Ohioans....

O-H-I-O!

Tod, our hero, had been diligently working away at the feast for the evening. He outdid himself, and the tables all around the dining room were crowded with delicious choices. Left to me, we may have had only a pile of spinach and mashed potatoes.  I love that many hands added to the feast with pie, cranberry chutney, gluten free crescent rolls from scratch, salads and more.  Alyssa helped set the table, listening seriously to the reason for all those forks! And, then, learning from Georgia some fancy napkin folds. She listened to me talk to her about all the generations at the table; my great grandmother's champagne saucers for our fruit salad, Tod's great grandmother's china, my great aunt's table service, and Tod's mother's service. Wine in Tod and my wedding crystal, Tod's parents South American copper mixed with my great-grandparent's Victorian candlesticks. Alyssa looked at me with her big pretty eyes, a dusting of freckles across her nose, and said "It's like their finger touches are all here too." YES. Exactly. 

The girls had even created little cinnamon stick place cards.

A champagne toast in honor of the blessing of family at Thanksgiving, and we were ready!

Our merry group.

And the cousins!

Full bellies and lots of contentment later, it was time for barn chores, followed by a waddle down the lane and back in the cool of Thanksgiving night. 

 
Complete with some climbing of trees (and Hamilton).

After a nice winter's nap, we had a Friday morning agenda: Christmas tree hunting! 

 Our kids are a lot taller than they once were, but they still don't top our tree! Our main tree found, Hamilton cut it down and we were off across the fields of Saum's farm looking for the next candidate. One Canaan Fir and one White Pine- Sam tried his hand at the saw, and trees headed home for....

Pony Rides! Maarten and Alyssa were keen to ride Baily, so after Hamilton took him out for a spin to stretch his legs and give him extra patience, Baily was the perfect party pony. 

 

 Some of my favorite things about our most of 4 days with a full Cowfeathers:

 A mudroom full to the brim.

 Plenty of snuggle time for Pearl. 

Fun with pillows.

Boys on their way to do unending barn chores- willingly! And girls snuggling up for some reading aloud. 

 Football!

Hand and Foot (family favorite card game).

Less favorite is waving "Goodbye!", but blessed to have the chance, as it is only followed by a welcoming "Hello!" Come back to Cowfeathers as soon as you care to.