Christmas already? Can I get an extension?

This may come as no surprise to some of you but it doesn't look like we'll be doing Christmas cards this year. I know, I know, you're crying into your pillow and cursing the universe. But really, why would you need a holiday newsletter summing up our year on one 8 x 11 page when you can just read the blog? Not the same?

Sorry friends and family. Nothing personal.

Apple Cup #100, Yah Cougs!

I'm rather sorry that we weren't in Seattle to celebrate this most excellent triumph of Washington State. Dad watched it on TV down in Vancouver and said it was a nailbiter to the end. Despite the losing record, it's always a good year when the Apple Cup swings our way. I noticed the Seattle press is hammering the Huskies specifically for this loss but I can't help but feel that they are extra hard on them because to them losing to the Cougars is worse than death. Maybe that's just my biased impression.
Anyway, Congratulations to the WSU Team and Alex Brink. I think I read somewhere that he is the best quarterback they've ever had who never went to a bowl. It isn't looking too good for Coach Doba. Evidently because there has been a bowl-shortage under his watch, the fans have been asking for his dismissal. Too bad he has a few more years to go on his contract that would cost a few million to buy out. How complicated these things get.

More Thanksgiving Pictures

My pictures from Thanksgiving in Onancock, VA.

Thanksgiving -- East Coast Style

I have to tell you, this Thanksgiving was like no other I've ever experienced. First of all, it was 70 degrees here in Virginia which is at or near record breaking temps for this time of year. "Delightful" is all I can say because we all ate outside at one long table.

Second, Ken's folks hosted 31 people here at their Onancock home. Joyce, Ken's mom, deserves a great deal of credit for organizing and cooking a beautiful bird & ham for that many. Smartly, she made the event a potluck so everyone chipped in. The granddaughers did a stellar job at clean-up and Duke shucked pre-meal oysters/clams like a pro. I tried to help where I could, wiping out wine glasses and washing a second wave of dishes (sorry Mom, no pics of that). But when the gibblets were done & needed dicing for the gravy, I had to bolt. Dude, that's turkey organs. I'm not touching that.

A lot of the grandkids had boyfriends/girlfriends and one of the daughter-in-laws brought her mother so it was quite a group--festive and chaotic (the good kind).

(Click Picture for enlarged view.)

Third, Ken was designated to say grace. We decided to do a version that was completely audible and has a little more production value. All I can say is, he knocked it out of the park surprising all of us with this little diddy. And great support by cousin Thomas aka "THX Practical".

Click here for lyrics.

Here's a very short but audio fluctuating clip of Ken's actual T-Giving performance:

Happy Thanksgiving from the Eastern Shore of Virginia!

All photos by Kelly Shannahan.