Grandson Nathaniel, Lise, Toke, and I walked to the stop sign, knowing we were all going to be riding in cars for hours. My pace was so slow that Nathaniel walked backward most of the way. We were so busy talking that I forgot to take our photo. Because Nate was facing a different way, he saw things we didn’t. “There’s a bear!” he exclaimed.
He was looking at the mountain and saw something black moving about. We were peering toward it when neighbor Linda came down the mountain with her dog. At least two of us saw the animal and knew it was not far behind the house nearest the stream. She turned back as we continued going home. That was an exciting way to start the day.
Nathaniel and Sarah left before breakfast, needing to get back to their jobs in Charlotte. We ate quickly and headed for the family Gobblefest in Lincolnton. Thankfully, we made good time, because Lise had the appetizer of chips and dip with a vegetable tray.
A photo shows people at our table except Toke and me. Beth and Bob are there with Lise across the table. Bob’s daughter Kathie is toward the end, along with her Uncle Rick. The two young men across from each other are Kathie’s son Max and his friend Zack.
Another shot caught Kathie and sister Susan laughing. Susan’s husband Bill is behind her, while Lise is telling a tale to Bill and Toke.
I was relieved to find one picture of our host and hostess, Rick and Myra talking to Susan’s granddaughter Kate and Toke. I missed shots of niece Julie and Michael, as well as Kate’s Elias. Beth’s brother Hunter and Christie were eating at my table, but I managed to miss them, too.
After we had eaten far too much, Rick took a group on the house tour that always includes magic tricks. For the whole assembly, he did one elaborate trick with smart worms. Julie was his assistant for that and didn’t recoil at handling things that looked like live worms. Entertainment ended with Rick playing the saw and his brother Hunter playing a guitar and singing songs he had written himself. They are amazing. What a talented family! I have videos of some of the music, but they are much too long to include here.



What an epic party. I love all the laughing. That’s just so right.
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It’s a great Thanksgiving celebration!
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Lots of fun for everyone!!
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More fun than a barrel of monkeys.
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It looks like such a fun time! The house is beautiful! I love traditional style.
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The original part of the house was built in the 1700’s.
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This does sound like a wonderful family gathering, with laughter, music, food and love
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We did laugh a lot.
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I noticed in one photo almost everyone got the message to wear spruce green! It looks like it was a lot of fun, though not sure how fun the bear sighting was–guess it depends on how close it was!
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The family gathering was fantastic. We really visit when we get together.
The bear was not close enough to scare us. Neighbor Linda turned back because she had her dog with her.
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I always admire that house when you visit. How nice to have everyone assembled at the table for an early Thanksgiving and it looks like the best is yet to come. Have you baked Lise’s pie for Thanksgiving yet? Don’t you always bake one as it is her favorite?
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Lise suggested we postpone her pie and perhaps cancel it. If I bake it tomorrow, there would be three of us to eat it over a five day period.
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Well you will get a break in the kitchen then – I remember she loved her pie. My mom used to “even off” the pie. She’d cut it a little bit crooked, so lop off a little more with the knife to get it more uniform. I always thought that was an interesting approach to getting extra bites without having another piece of pie. 🙂
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Your mother was brilliant.
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Yes, it was something we always laughed about “evening the pie” – her favorites were lemon meringue and pumpkin and she did that with both of them.
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Good idea to remember.
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Yes, you can take liberties, especially if you’re the baker!
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I did make a traditional pumpkin pie today, and we had small slices tonight.
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I am glad you were a traditionalist. I don’t think I’ve had pumpkin pie since my mom has been gone. My friend Ann Marie dropped by with some cookies this morning, some shaped like turkeys, others like maple leaves and two squirrel gifts.
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Two squirrel gifts! What fun! We will have a traditional meal in a few hours. Happy Thanksgiving!
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Yes, with my holiday treats, Ann Marie always brings me something squirrel related. She follows my blog, so she knows of my affinity for squirrels. 🙂 Thank you – same to you!
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I always enjoy your letters and pictures! What a gift you have! Thanks do much!
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Thank you for such a supportive comment. I love to write.
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Beautiful all photoshoot. I like. Beautiful arrangement of Thanksgiving celebration. Wonderful family gathering, with laughter, music, food and love.
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What a fun day with family and food. A bear sighting sounds fun too as long as it’s not too close for comfort.
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