Turkey Day.

 As usual the day started early again.  I needed to be up early to get the turkey in the oven.  It's a big one and I figured that this Butterball needed to start cooking at 6 in order to get done by noon.  Humm...wrong.  It was finished by 10:30.  It had a chance to sit and wait for a while.  Breakfast rolls were the preferred food for the morning with folks appearing all morning from their nest of preference.  

Dee invited us to see the church that now has new choir stalls for the monks.  They are beautifully made of walnut and mimic the ceiling of the sanctuary.  They have replaced the stalls that were called temporary at least 60 years ago.  All in due time.  

  Beautifully made now in a space where worship with prayers are held 5 times a day starting at 4 AM.  

Doug, looking like a monk cutting the best turkey we have had in years.  Butter Ball outdid herself. 

Back home at the guest house, food once again was the main interest of the morning with all the fixings that Russells consider Thanksgiving fare in full process.  I must say that Mr. Butterball was the best turkey we have had in a very long time.  It was unbelievably tender and tasty.  The best in years.  The meal always has mashed potatoes and corn.  Kimmy's favorite. Lima beans are a Russell tradition with the exceptions being Rick and Kimmy.  Cranberry sauce, I can't live without, and rolls made by Kimmy.  I forgot the red beet eggs along with deviled eggs.  I'm the only one who likes dressing and gravy.  Fewer carbs and better for my sugar numbers. .  I would say this is a meal without some things called must-haves by many but not for this family.  I prefer to cook what folks will eat and not what I expect them to eat because they won't!.  

Two of the grandsons, Jacob and Adam along with their Uncle Dee, (Father Cassian) Doug's youngest brother.  

                                            All of the Russell men at the door to the church.

The afternoon was filled with puzzling, the game of Sequence new for me and again Skip-Bo.  Just lots of fun. 

Supper was leftovers with folks helping themselves to the refrigerator fare. Some had turkey again while others had bowls of ice cream, some adding pie. And some had nothing still filled from the noon meal.  Movie watching happened and more puzzling happened.  It is a delight to have people comfortable helping themselves to whatever is available.  The family children are growing up able to take care of themselves becoming adults needing the oldsters less and less. That's a great pattern of life.  

Some of you have wondered about the guest house facilities.  I'm sharing the kitchen scene with you.  It's very adequate with the ability to do everything one might do in a kitchen. 

The house is one of the older buildings on the grounds that what once was a southern plantation.  In past years we have walked to the slave cemetery in the woods. The house has four bedrooms, three baths a living and dining room, and a large screened-in porch.  There is also an entry room to the house. We are the fortunate ones able to visit with family yearly this way that includes the middle Russell  brother coming from Dallas, Texas.

                                            Watching TV and working on a tough puzzle.  

Another great turkey day to remember in years to come.  More good things tomorrow meeting again some of our friends as we visit the monastery.  We are a part of one big family.