November 25, 2019 - December 2, 2019
We got up bright and early on Monday so I could meet the airport shuttle by 5:00 am. It was cold and dark as we waited in front of the marina. When the shuttle arrived it had a flat tire. AHHHHH! I quickly called for an Uber and one arrived in fifteen minutes. I explained my dilemma and the driver got me to the airport in time to get through security and make it to my gate just as boarding began for my flight to Baltimore. Once in Baltimore I had to exit security find the terminal for Boutique Airlines, go back through security, walk to the end of the terminal to find my gate. Once there I found out my flight was further delayed. As it turned out the flight to Johnstown that was supposed to leave at 11:05 am left at 2:30 pm. It was a tiring and frustrating day at the airport to say the least, but I arrived safe a sound at Jessica and Joe’s house around 3:30 pm. After a quick nap Joe and I met Jessica at a restaurant famous for its wings. Delicious!
My plan for Tuesday and Wednesday was to make matching sleepwear for everyone coming for Thanksgiving and help with the food preparation. I got everything cut out on Tuesday and sewn on Wednesday. Nightgowns for Jessica, Rachel, and me - a tunic and leggings for Lilli - PJ pants for Joe and Juan - it was lots of fun sewing and watching Netflix.
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| Here are the ladies modeling their sleepwear! |
Rachel, Juan, and Lili arrived Wednesday evening from Oak Park, IL. What a great reunion and a fun night playing UNO and listening to Lili display her skill on the trumpet. She started playing in September and is very good for a beginner. Music has always been a big part of my life and I’m happy Lili is finding joy in music as well. I wish I had a picture of Lili playing her trumpet.
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| Rachel and Juan relaxing in the living room |
Thanksgiving was fabulous. We started the day with a long walk/hike through the nearby park which covers many acres of land hoping to stimulate our appetite for the feast planned for later in the day. The turkey wasn’t done until about 4:00 pm, but Jessica had planned for this with light snacks to stave off hunger. While the turkey rested we baked corn casserole, mac and cheese, potato filling, and mashed potatoes followed by rolls. I used the drippings from the turkey and the broth from cooking the neck and giblets to make the gravy and made the cucumber salad. The table was set and decorated by Jessica and Lili. It was a once in a life time feast followed by pumpkin and pecan pie (baked by Joe) topped by homemade vanilla ice cream.
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| Beautiful Table setting waiting for our turkey. |
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| Snacks in front of the fire |
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| Beautiful turkey resting |
On Friday morning Rachel made two of her famous apple pies to add to our wide variety of desserts. Later in the day we were joined by Becky and Al (my sister and brother-in-law) and Melanie, Joe and their two boys Jack and Mathew (Jess and Joe’s dearest friends). What a wonderful day!!! For dinner Joe made his famous meat sauce over spaghetti noodles with garlic bread and salad. What could be better. Everyone had the best time ever.
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| Becky, Al, and I just before they had to leave. |
On Saturday everyone, but Rachel, Juan and Lili had to leave. We still had the core family members there for a great game of UNO and a fun evening.
Sunday, Rachel, Juan, and Lili had to drive back to Oak Park, IL after a breakfast of scrapple and scrambled eggs with cheese. On Monday I returned to St. Augustine where s/v Rainy Days has been moored. It was such a great week with two of my daughters and their families (Jack and Mathew are Jess and Joe’s god sons) plus my sister and her husband. I love Thanksgiving with family.
My next blog will be about our stay over in St. Augustine.
Thank you for reading my blog.
