Thanksgiving 2010

So this year we decided to do something very special for Thanksgiving...the idea was suggested to me three different times and on the third time, I knew it needed to be done.

The first time it was suggested to me was by a new friend I met when I was taking a class this past summer. She and her husband do this each year with a bunch of friends- sounded like a blast.

The next time it was suggested to me was in a book I was reading this summer on the beach- Jennifer Weiner's newest book, Fly Away Home. I thought, "this may be a sign?"

The third and final time it was suggested to me was by my mom as we were sitting on the beach, over Labor Day Weekend. She asked, "I have always wanted a beach house...I even thought it might be nice, for something different some year, to have Thanksgiving at that house too."

I got the chills when she said that and proceeded to blab on and on about this being a sign and how my friend already does it and they just did that in the book I was reading and blah....blah...blah

Well, my mom took everything I said with a grain of salt...never really thinking I would act on it.

I didn't stop on that day. I did my typical research and found a gem...a steal...almost too good to be true but definitely meant to be.

When I talked to my mom, she said great! She said they would be in and then I already knew my in-laws would be pscyhed. Rob smiled and said sure.

The weekend was great...relaxing and just good to be around our family. When you are going through a crisis, you sometimes have no choice but to live in the moment...live for today and enjoy the present. I can say that Rob and I did just that. Yes we were coming home to the same stresses and unknown but we did enjoy three days in paradise...well York, Maine to be exact.

On Wednesday, "The Monk" and I headed out early...I had some errands to do and my goal was to get all of our things and unpacked and have the ambiance set and cocktail party ready to go before our parents arrived. Well I got mostly everything done...it was just so much more work than I had anticipated.

Though it was work (and Monkey behaved so well- she sat in her booster chair while I ran up and down the stairs 25+ times with things), it was great to be there.

Every window we looked out, had a view of the ocean...it was unreal... a true dream come true. I was even able to get a few appetizers made before my parents arrived.

My mom felt the same way too! She felt that she belonged in that house...my dad started to sweat when my mom announced that she is going to buy it...I do hope that comes true but in the meantime, it was funny to watch my dad's reaction as my mom walked through the house squealing!

My in-laws arrive awhile after and finally Roberto with our beloved bulldog Bambi...we had cocktails and apps and I don't think I disappointed! I went with the following: Thanksgiving Cocktail Meatballs, Dates Stuffed with Cream Cheese and Almonds and Wrapped in Bacon, Fried Smoked Mozzarella in Phyllo with Honey and Figs and Cheddar Cheese and Crackers. My mom made her awesome hot mushroom dip with breadsticks and we enjoyed champagne cocktails and J. Lohr Cab.

Thanksgiving was filled with the warm of family and tradition. My mom and I started the day with a brief walk (it was SO COLD but so beautiful!) and quickly found how out how close we were to the Nubble Lighthouse...I took some good pix there. Later, when my aunt and uncle and cousins arrived we enjoyed our feeding frenzy. Our cocktail hour included my mom's famous stuffed mushrooms, and also her date nut cheese ball and crackers. My aunt made awesome bruschetta and then dinner was very traditional and very yummy.

The rest of the weekend, we enjoyed walks outside, some Christmas shopping and chilling in our dream house. Titanic was on last night which was the perfect end to a great time with family :)

Here is to endless thanks and prayers that things will come together for my Rob very soon.