Thanksgiving week

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, especially when I share cooking duties with my best friend, Carol.

We had to take a few years off due to Europe and the pandemic, but last year was a glorious return to form.

This year was supposed to be more of the same. The tickets were purchased, the plans were made, we were ready.

Then Carol cancelled.

It wasn't personal, she had a really good reason, I totally understand and support her.

But also #WorstFriendEver.

Without Carol to help me, the holiday I'd been looking forward to all year suddenly felt like nothing more than a whole bunch of work.

Instead of focusing on my disappointment, I tried to distract myself with an "All of Olive" week. That worked - kind of - for a day or two, but most of last week was sad and depressing.

And then it was Thanksgiving.

The first half of the day was, in fact, a whole bunch of work, Then the guests began to arrive, and suddenly - magically - it was my favorite holiday again.

This year's group included Seth and I, our sons, Ryan and James, Ryan's girlfriend, Sarah, his roommate, Curtis, my friend, Angelo, her wife Tori and their dogs, Archie and Soot. The rest of the post is pictures from our day. Thank you, everyone, for coming. Let's do it again next year, with Carol!