Ghosts of Thanksgiving Past

... and Thanksgiving week begins.  We finally found the perfect place for this wonderful metal piece.

Then I was off to work, where I built this display of my antique Christmas trees.  I've not used them in years, so it seemed like the right time.

We hauled the heavy, heavy bed up to the little guest room.  We took out the single size iron bed I bought at fleaology this summer, as well as the East Lake cradle I bought at a fleamarket in Pennsylvania the year we drove back east and Trevor baptized Spencer in 1998.  

We didn't have a mattress yet, so we just stuck the single mattress inside the bed frame and filled the left side with pillows and a rolled up memory foam pad, so it would look decent for our Thanksgiving day.

Then we headed to the mall with the iron bed and the cradle and found nooks to place them in there.

Next we took a stool to Ashley that she needed for her Thanksgiving dinner she was hosting.

We ran into Winco to get our orange diet sodas, and ran into one of our ghosts of our Thanksgiving past.  On our first mission Aldi and her husband Nolan (Doxey) were at the temple as missionaries, and we all celebrated our holidays together.  They live in Colorado, so when we saw her we were certain it couldn't be her.  Dad talked me into going over and talking to her, and surprise!! it was her.  Their son's wife passed away, and they have moved in with him for a while to help with the children while he gets back on his feet.

Of course I worked on Wednesday again, but after work I managed to make the green bean casserole, and pink fruit salad, as well as setting the tables.  This is the dining room table.

With our smaller turkey, we were able to use a matching platter.

Here is the table we set in the parlor.

We were up early and ready to get to work on Thursday. Dad helps to put out the food.

Everyone comes, and Dad carves the turkey.  Dad had bought a Tofurky for us, which was quite good.

Hannah was able to come for a bit, which we so appreciated.  It was super fun to have her, as always.

Nell and Darby chat.

As Brady and Becca survey the scene.

Kids at the table, including the 'triplets' to the left.  Adi was tickled when someone asked her is she was one of the triplets.  She's so tall it certainly seems possible.

Trevor showed us this picture from Nell's graduation from BYU.  I loved seeing three of my four boys in this old picture, plus Nell and Emily.

Davin serves Darby's Key Lime Pie.  We also had a giant pumpkin pie that he and Bri brought, and a pecan pie that Brady made.  Nell brought her famous sweet potatoes, and Hannah brought lovely yummy dessert balls that were a hit.  So much yumminess.

I had brought home this bust from Treasures because it reminds me of an Eva past.

What do you think?

Some cute littles gathered on the new bed, with its makeshift mattress, I laughed when I saw how Penny sunk into the memory foam part.

And more than anything, the 12 years olds  made me happy when I saw that they were hanging out on the stairs together.  I have waited forever for these three to connect, and it just makes me smile.

In the living room I got a few nice pictures too.

These rainbow pictures of Davin were taken by Bri.  Her camera captures the color better than mine does.

Then there's the ghosts on the couch.  Such a funny light and shadow effect makes Eva, Nell and Bri look less than substantial, don't you think?

No light issues on the other side of the room, as the Scotts enjoy a moment together.

and here's our Adi again.

Afterwards, Dad and I went and saw Spirited, a modern day version of Dad's favorite story, of a holiday past, present and future.

Ashley shared this picture of Andy and his Dad at their second Thanksgiving at Andy's folks place.

This is truly a picture of Thanksgiving past.  Ben and Davin playing football at the cemetery, the year we had Thanksgiving at Trevor and Nell's old house in Pleasant Grove.

On Friday, we 'went to the mattresses'.  First to a set in Provo that Ashley and Andy needed to set up a new room for Lilly.  She was moved to the main floor and the back bedroom there.  She'd been on a futon, but a mattress bed was a better idea.

Here we are in the van heading back.  This is me, Andy, Lilly and Ashley.  I just love how Ashley and Andy always have room at the Inn.  Just think of how many friends and family members they have housed over the years.  So much goodness.  BTW if you don't know Ian and Kim have moved out and Lily is part of their extended Market Street Grill family.  

Ashley got us all playing the license plate game.  She ended up with 7 and Dad got 5, but when we added two for his handicap for being the driver, they tied.  Kind of funny since Ashley evidently inherited his 20/15 vision. (They see at 20 feet what the average person sees at 15 feet)

It was pretty dang fun.

After dropping them off, we went to another set of mattresses in Cottonwood Heights.  I had put out a plea for a double mattress and box spring on Facebook, and Bonnie Despain from our old ward up there had answered the call for help.  I loved their mixed art wall, including this bit of found art.  Their daughter Cara is an artist, and does installation art displays.  It was so fun to talk to them, and enjoy their unusual arrangement which included the crown from an old mirror, and a huge metal lizard sculpture Cara had done.

Here they are, still full of life in their 80's.

While in Salt Lake we took the time to go and see this cute dino and his Mom and Dad.  

But we got back in time to go to Peteetneet for the Santa Dash.  Here are our town royals, all ready to help out directing the race.

We ran into our renter Lily, as she participates in any and all races.

Here's Dad chatting it up with Mayor Wright before the race.

And Ann and I get ready to head out on what would be a 1.2 mile race.

After we got back there were donuts and hot chocolate for all, and I found some other elf people.

 Yummy

Of course Dad and I needed a selfie in front of Peteetneet that is lit up for the first time in years.

On Saturday, I went on a buy to my friend Wendy's house.  I found some goodies to keep and some to sell.  Then it was only fitting that we should go to Cafe Rio when all was said and done.  After all she IS the person who first introduced me to the food love of my life.

Back at her house it was fun to notice that her parlor is painted the same color as mine, though my phone manages only a faded version.

 Then when I got home, I found that Dad had hauled the mattresses up and even bought new sheets to make the bed, bless his cotton socks.

Of course Nenna had her birthday on Monday of this week, so we are wishing her 9 lovely years on the planet.

Today Dad and I subbed in the 8 year old primary class and got to teach the Jonah lesson.  Yes we did, and yes we also sang the song, but with the more traditional words.  We later took each of the kids some cookies because they were so well behaved.  (And a list of interesting facts about the 12 minor prophets of the Old Testament.)

When we were walking back from visiting a neighbor these folks were thoroughly inspecting the house.  They are from Jackson Hole and are in town for Thanksgiving.  Having lived in Payson before they came by to check out  her favorite house in town.  We, of course, gave them the tour.  We love discussing our house with people who also find it fascinating. 

We hope you had visits from some happy ghosts of your Thanksgivings past as well.