Giving Thanks

My evening ended with a spontaneous visit from two of my favorite old friends. We quaffed a little wine at the shop, a perk when one works in a family owned business.
The talk hadn't ended and we adjourned to a local restaurant and bar for a bite and some pre Thanksgiving Day camaraderie and to share Thanksgiving Day plans.
For me Thanksgiving always starts with a fire and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. I stay in my pajamas until noon and drink liberal amounts of coffee. Then the cooking begins. Desserts have already been made the night before.
Our small family of  three have always been lucky to grace the table of many different families over the years. During the holidays, we have enjoyed may types of meals including duck, goose, and fried turkey.  The last few years have been spent with my dear friend, colleague, and employer and her family.  Her table groans with treats from all the extended friends that are lucky enough to garner an invite. She always prepares the turkey and the mashed potatoes. I make the gravy, cranberry relish, green beans, and the pumpkin cheesecake. I also sprinkle the meal with a new recipe that inevitably catches my eye. Last year's winner was a chocolate ganache tart.
This year someone is bringing couscous, cheese, broccoli salad and and other assorted dishes. Part of the joy of this meal is its casual atmosphere that we enjoy while we visit, graze and nibble until dinner is served. The dogs are shut up in the garage but always howl to  be let out and enjoy the festivities. Every year the dogs win. This year we're adding Lexi to the mix. We'll be eighteen around the hodge podge of mismatched tables. A potpourri of people from all walks of life and all ages, assorted couples and families, some married some not, a few new faces as well.
Thanks for old friends and new.