Thanksgiving Holidays

Our family has been making an event out of the Thanksgiving Holiday. Wednesday night we braved the crowds and viewed the inflated Macy's Day parade balloons. Ronald pictured is one of the oldest balloons flown in the parade and Shrek was one of the most crowded viewing places. Seemed like everyone wanted to snap a photo with the giant green head.

We exited the subway with hundreds of other families and ended up meeting up with a friendly person from Jet Blue handing out free hot cocoa. Another half a block away we got a couple of free bags of Terra Chips and within the next half block there were bank employees standing out on the sidewalk offering hot cider and cookies. All free. The kids weathered the crowds okay. Sister rode on Dad's shoulders for a couple of blocks and Brother rode above the crowd on my shoulders for a while.

In between viewing areas Brother was walking holding Dad's hand singing and dancing along. It was a simple happy song with nonsense words. I was listening to the song for a while and turned to see another woman also enjoying his song. She was inspired by the freedom of his walk/dance and was copying it as she followed behind him. We all noticed each other at the same time and some joyful laughter followed. Brother's song stopped and we were off to the next adventure. When you are stuck in a crowd sometimes the best entertainment is the crowd. On the way back home there was a vendor hot dog and pretzel. Fun people on the subway and Chinese takeout at home.

Thursday for the big feast we were asked not to cook. Not because we can't but because my brother-in-laws wife's sister is Culinary Arts Institute trained and the other two sisters are also gourmet chefs. At first I was a bit disappointed because I enjoy trying out new side dish recipes. Then I had an inspired moment in the shower and figured out that I could bring a craft to entertain the seven cousins that would be there. Fortunately for me the kids are all pretty similar in age so it was easy and cheap. We made pine cone bird feeders from pine cones collected from my front yard and hung them around my sister-in-laws yard. Smearing peanut butter on pine cones and dunking them in a pan full of birdseed was fun for all ages. Hopefully, the birds will benefit from some of the seed. The squirrels are pretty tough out here.

Today, we did a family visit at the chiropractor, Mom and Dad stopped by for a repast on their way home from visiting family in Massachusetts. DH and I are in the mood for organizing the house but I sit here in front of the computer while listening to a Windam Hill Winter Solstice Sampler and he is running around outside with the kids. Something about jumping in leaves. Then he will be going out to meet a friend at a pub. It will be his first 'guys night out' since we've been here. Hopefully they will find a good pub with darts or something fun to do.

Tomorrow we may be going to a model train show and Sunday will be clean out the closet day!

It's been easier to breathe and my cough is slowly going away. My outlook on life is much more pleasant when I am healthy.