Thanksgiving 2015...

Over the river and through the woods from Michigan we go...
The car knew the way to carry us there as over Ohio we drove...
Over the river and through the woods and straight for the brisket we aim...
We seem to go extremely slow as over the river we drove.

Yep, we had visitors for Thanksgiving. Katelyn and Drew left Grand Haven, Michigan after Drew got home from work. Their destination, Chelsea, Michigan, where Jake was ready to hop in their sleigh and head to Kentucky. They arrived very late Wednesday, November 23, 2015. 

Wednesday, I used some cashews we had and made cashew brittle. Claude had a recipe for home-made Big Hunk candy. We made them. I just have to say that Big Hunk recipe was delicious. It will be a must treat for other family gatherings. It never really set up but it was great with a spoon. 

Claude smoked a brisket and then a turkey to feed us through the weekend. Thursday I picked up Papa and brought him to Sadieville about noon. This gave the Michigan branch of the family a chance to sleep in a bit after their long drive. Then we feasted on a delicious meal of family favorites. Football was watched and naps were taken. Thanksgiving was just a very restful day. 

Meanwhile, out on the highways the Marx family was driving to Florida. They made it to Atlanta, Georgia the first night and then to Florida where they spent one night prior to embarking on their next Disney cruise. I purchased a couple of games the kids could play in the car on the way and they sent me this fun picture while in route.

By Friday, Jake was ready for a hike. I asked if I could tag along. He agreed and we headed out of Eagle Bend and across Hwy. 32, then down Mulberry Lane and back. It was a great walk. We found a deer carcass with rib cage in tact. Some kind of hornets nest high up in a tree. Beautiful stone fences along the lane. White tailed deer hopping out of our way. It was just delightful. We paused to look at a stream and I asked Jake to strike a 'thoughtful pose'. 

We found out that Drew had never seen Princess Bride. To the basement we headed with edibles in hand and enjoyed watching Princess Bride together. I started a new crochet project. Now Drew has seen a classic movie our family enjoys.

Claude found a recipe for burritos made out of smoked brisket. The final bits of brisket were magically turned into burritos by Claude and enjoyed by everyone but me. Katelyn had requested a salad I love for Thanksgiving. It is a Jello salad recipe that has a bottom layer made with strawberry Jello and whole cranberry sauce and raspberries. When that layer sets up you top it with the next lay of lemon Jello, melted marshmallows and pineapple. I love this salad. Claude...not so much. It makes a big bowl and there is no way to make it smaller. So I had a big bowl of this salad every day. While everyone dined on smoked beef brisket burritos, I had a wonderful Jello salad. 

Katelyn, who is very pregnant with our first great grandmonster, enjoyed the privilege of napping whenever her body needed a little rest. She napped on the sofa, the guest room bed, our bed and finally the floor at my feet. Such a cutie.

By Saturday we were ready for an outing and something different to eat. What to do? What to do? How about BD Mongolian Grill. That was the choice and we introduced Drew to an new restaurant. Yummy. Then we stopped by Papa's apartment for a final visit. Papa took the bottom picture with my cell phone. I asked him to take several and it was a good thing I did. This was the one with all our heads in the picture. He did a great job, especially for someone who never uses a cell phone.

Sunday morning the family would load up and head back to Michigan. There would be a little rain to drive through but overall the weather was good to them. 

This Thanksgiving was different. It was all adults just relaxing and taking things very easy. We talked about playing board games but never got to it. Books were read, football was watched, crocheting was done, movies were watched, good food was eaten, junk food was eaten. It was a very grown-up Thanksgiving and much appreciated by each of us. 

Thank you Michigan family for making the drive and sharing family moments this Thanksgiving.