Let the wild rumpus start!

That, of course, is from "Where the Wild Things Are", a children's book by Maurice Sendak, but it totally applies to this week at our house.  Right now, it's more likely to be let the wild mess begin as I am in the throes of preparations for Thanksgiving dinner.  We're going to be a little smaller this year because one son and his family are away and my oldest grand-daughter has moved far, far away to California.  It makes me sad to not have all of our family around the table, but I do understand that things can't always stay the same, no matter if I don't want the changes. Older family members pass away, babies grow up and begin to have their own lives and every year brings a little different experience to our holiday traditions.

I have baked the cornbread and biscuits for the dressing, made the cranberry relish and gone over my list of things I have to have on hand.  There is no quick trip to the store for something forgotten when you live where I do.  Today the turkeys are brining, the giblets are simmering, the corn pudding is mixed and waiting in the refrigerator (I use the recipe from Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill) and the pecan pie is in the oven.  I think I'm doing a pretty good job of staying on task.  The last hour before it all goes on the table is the crazy-house part for me.  Luckily, I've got great daughters-in-law (and occasionally a son or two will wander through the kitchen) who will pitch in to make sure I don't leave something in the oven (not that I'm admitting that has ever happened - just sayin').

This was the scene as I came back from the barn this morning.  Glorious snow!  I love it so much.  It's quite cold here (in the 20's) and I'm wondering if we are indeed going to get that hard winter that people have been predicting .  It's a little early for snow in Kentucky and it did mean that I had to give a morning feeding of hay because the ground was covered.  Usually the sheep are out grazing all day and I have just begun feeding them a little in the evenings. The girls especially seemed to appreciate having breakfast served to them this morning, rather than having to find it for themselves.

The next few weeks will go by in a blur.  I hope we can all take tomorrow to slow down, enjoy family and friends and count our blessings.  All of us here at Tangewood Farm wish all of you the happiest of Thanksgivings.  May your day be filled with blessings and good company.