A feast for the belly, the eyes and the spirit was the order for my holiday weekend.
Thanksgiving was darn near perfect. I woke up late doing my final house tidying in my PJs and made the final “turkey arrangements” with Dad. We spent the rest of the day slowly filling the house with amazing aromas as the the bacon-covered turkey turned gold and my dad stirred his “world famous” (or at least soon to be) artichoke green chile soup.
Friends and family began to arrive at 3pm and the rest of the evening was rich with laughter, wine (leading to more laughter) and glorious quantities of food. If you think you had a lot to eat on thanksgiving imagine this: 5 pies, 10 people (we could each eat half!). They were: pumpkin, coconut cream, apple pear, pear cranberry, and pecan. It turns out we have some very talented bakers in our sphere! The evening ended with all of the dishes washed (they wouldn’t even let me help) and the senses full.
The feast for our bellies was just the kick-off to our anniversary weekend (has it been 5 years already?!) in Fort Bragg and Mendocino. We ate up the beautiful expanses of ocean and cliffs, imagining what life in a town with a population of 800 must be like (Mendo has more, but we traveled through many smaller coastal towns). To us, that life is a part of the fantasy. It’s where Puffin Ranch could be. Where life would include a craft and homegrown sustenance, and handmade goat cheese would reign superior to blocks of Costco cheddar. But alas that fantasy has a Santa Cruz-sized price tag. So we strolled, we window shopped, and enjoyed slow time together (like slow food–the best).
With our senses full we came home (through a deluge of cleansing rain) and began the first week of year six. What dreams, friends and foods will enrich our next half-decade? I can’t wait to find out.
P.S. Apparently my finger is on the pulse. Sunset Magazine’s December issue included an article on visiting Mendocino. This was their photo (below), taken from nearly the same vantage point as mine (above).
Sounds perfect! We also had very nice day and then fun
with lots of cousins, etc. next day before returning home.
No rest this week as Loren has something every day and I
am working on dinner decorationf for 150 people at church
on Sat. Then I can think about next holiday! love ya
We will still celebrate anniversay some night when we have
time. Loren offered lobster but I think I want Chinese!
Comment by Gram — November 28, 2006 @ 4:56 pm
When we got home our December Sunset Magazine awaited in our mail. It featured in article about Mendocino in December. The article featured a picture just like mine, seen above. Maybe I’ll add it to the post.
Comment by westi — November 28, 2006 @ 6:40 pm
Your photos and writing are beautiful. Congratulations on your anniversary and best wishes for your future!
The Sunset photo coincidence is pretty amazing, by the way. They should have published you instead of whoever.
I slept through Thanksgiving Day. It was great. I am always thankful for sleep.
Comment by Jessi — November 29, 2006 @ 8:22 am
The lurker posts! =) Thanks for your thoughts Jessi. I found it interesting that Sunset was more interested in the sky and the ocean in the picture (typical) and I was intrigued by the old fence and the whispy grass.
Comment by westi — November 29, 2006 @ 9:00 am
What a feast it was! Thank you for hosting such a wonderful celebration. It was good to visit with friends and family and meet some new friends, too. All the food was delicious. The leftovers lasted for two days!
What a coincidence about the picture. I like your close-up picture better. There’s more detail and you can almost feel the elements. I look forward to hearing more about the trip. It’s been a busy week - take two days off and spend the next week two days behind. Talk with you soon.
Comment by Deborah — November 30, 2006 @ 5:50 pm
I like your photo better, Westi!
Comment by Laura — December 1, 2006 @ 8:13 am
Hey, Just saw the magazine photo and I like yours much
better, also. It gave me an idea. I do want a Christmas
present or whenever you have time. I need some new photos
of all of you. Time for a new family one! I would love one
of the above one to frame if you can do it also. All your
creative skills are coming out more than ever lately.
love you
Comment by Gram — December 4, 2006 @ 9:00 am
I think we might be able to do that for you (as long as the rest of my family cooperates!). Thanks for noticing my “burst” of creativity. It is somewhat intentional. My hubby noticed that I am more balanced, less stressed out/cranky when I make time to do creative things with my hands and mind (watercoloring, blogging, whatever). He was right! So I’m trying to make a little time whenever I can to do a little something fun here and there. I hope you get to see the way I wrapped the little craft project for Jill & Shelly, it’s unique.
Comment by westi — December 4, 2006 @ 9:17 am