I love watching the day break. We had a heavy shower just as I got up and it's still very overcast, so darker than usual at this hour. I have a house full of sleepers, which is another thing I like. At this time of day, the day has potential.

Yesterday went well. The food was excellent. It's always good, but for some reason this year, it was just outstandingly delicious. Fairly ordinary things, well prepared. Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, squash, sweet potatoes, creamed onions. Hank made a salad, but I didn't have room on my plate and then I was too full. Three kinds of pie with whipped cream. I only had room for one piece, but hopefully there will be some left for today. My father will want it for breakfast, and I might, except I am planning to make pancakes, mainly for the boys.

Watched a couple hours of the parade, but lost interest after that. Most of the Broadway stuff was at the beginning--that's what I love. The dancing from Memphis! And a show featuring Green Day's music.

Started out with cooking the onions, then the sweet potatoes. Peeling them and slicing in a dish with salt, sugar, and butter. Saved one for Hank, who has his with olive oil. Chris made the cream sauce for the onions. Vanessa added the crumbs later. Nicky peeled the white potatoes.

My mother stuffed the turkey after breakfast and then she and my dad took it over to Nancy's to cook. Some people again took long walks. They came back for lunch and we started a Cancellation Hearts game. Sent Chris over to check and baste the turkey between hands. Later, we decided to move the card game over to Nancy's, so we could keep checking the turkey and bake the sweet potatoes and onions. Ray did a third load of dishes and I took a quick bath. By the time we got there, the turkey was done. So we brought him home and left a few people there to bring the casseroles when they were ready.

Turned on the potatoes, set the table, Vanessa made the gravy, I heated the squash in the microwave. Casseroles arrived, Captain opened the wine. Meanwhile, of course, football on the tv whenever no card playing. We even paused it sometimes.

Sat down before 4 with lots of good food. Wish I could tell you the Captain's prayer: "Dear God, if you exist, we know you will forgive those of us who don't believe in you...thank you for this food and this family..." Drank the last bottle of Chateau Ventenac and it was still great. One thing I am thankful for...that trip to France...also my trip to Spain with Amelia a year ago...really great. Time to think about my next one.

After supper, finished the card game. Hank won, with 2 points. My husband led the queen of spades, my mother played the second queen, and I was forced to take it with the king, my only spade, making my score pretty high. But Chris had three really bad hands, after a good start, and went out first.

Then, Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy and two episodes of Big Bang Theory, when I began falling asleep and went to bed. Captain and Vanessa headed to Nancy's a little before me, about 9:30. Then I woke up before 5 again. Gotta get straight.