Thanksgiving 2008

I love Thanksgiving. I love it when my family comes home. My daughter, Sharilynn, and her family were in Alaska, and we missed them very much. Joel's girl friend, Alia, brought her mother, Lolly, and they were just like family. Alia brought mashed potatoes and a lovely winter roots casserole. This picture of Joel and Jordon was taken the day after. Work day is part of Thanksgiving also. "OK, boys, put on your coats. Let's go build a barn."

Every year, Joel brings me fresh Brussel sprouts for my birthday. This year, he brought me a whole stalk. It was beautiful. Whoever grew these must have been very proud. After the sprouts were removed from the stalk, the boys used it as a weapon. I don't know that sibling rivalry ever goes away.
By the way, Jordon took most of these photos.

Out Jordon's window. Don't let the view fool you. It was a very warm day.

Joel working on the Brussel sprouts in the kitchen. He steamed and sauteed them in olive oil. Umm-mm...green bon-bons. A family tradition.

Jordon working on his camera.

Max and Tinky-Winky waiting. Tinky is always nervous when we have company, but she could also smell all the wonderful smells.

What is left to do?

The giblet gravey is ready as is Joel's spicey sweet potato and apple casserole.

The persimmon pudding is done. Every holiday, Max makes a persimmon pudding.

Can we please sit down?

Ready to eat. Can you tell Alia loves her mother?

Getting ready to say Thank you, Jesus. I'm sorry Jordon wasn't in this.

The aftermath.

Max headed for his workshop. I call it Papa's Frame Factory and Woodblock Printshop.

When it's cold Max builds a fire. I love going in here because it is so my husband.

Some men have a study or library as their retreat. My husband has his workshop.

I had switched clothes frome jeans to shorts. Shorts on Thanksgiving day. I still had my apron on.

We found a piece of snake skin in the yard. They shed their skin in the fall. I added it to my natural collection.

No visit home for the holidays would be complete without some target practice. They brought a bunch of cans this time and built a pyramid. Alia told me the other day she is saving up more cans. I stayed inside. My ears are delicate. They were using big guns, not the 22. They used the deer rifle and Jordon's Mauser. To me, anything bigger than a 22 is a rocket launcher and hard on my ears.

Alia makes a lovely sharp shooter.

Boom! Look at the bullet casing. One of my favorite photos of all times.

Joel taking aim.

These are a wonderful series of photos that Jordon took of Alia. Ready.....

Aim....

Fire! Boom! Look at the effects on her arm muscles.

Gun kicks like a mule.

Final photo surveying her shot.

That evening, Max was in his workshop working on a wood block print. Isn't this a wonderful photo that Jordon took?

The next morning, Max, aka Papa, got up with a job he needed help with. He needed to unload some monster cedar beams from a trailer in the barn as he needed the trailer. These beams are what I call Papa sized. So the guys all put on their gloves, and they headed down to the barn. This is Jordon and Max on one end.

Jordon and Max on their end.

Joel on his end.

Trying to guide the beams into the right area.

Gyp-dog, everyfaithful, watching. Gyee-up!

After the beams were unloaded, the guys climbed aboard for a ride back up to the house.

I know the sibling rivalry in their heads was hoping the other would fall.

Heading back up to the house.

The guys dug up some weeds in the yard, brought up an old iron pot from the barn, and had a burn party in the yard. Jordon took most of these pictures because I can't handle smoke. Joel had a smile on his face the whole time.

My view from inside, away from the smoke.

Lastly, the fire. Good image, Jordon.