Thanksgiving is the next biggie for us. We had one traditional Thanksgiving after leaving the Family with my mother, before she passed away, and brother and sister-in-law, and 5 of my kids and one grandchild. That's a memory we'll cherish for a while.

The next year, 2000, was the first year I ever cooked a Thanksgiving dinner all by myself and I had a great time and still do. I take the day before off from work to bake pies and prepare some stuff ahead. Pecan squash casserole was my mother's specialty and I found the recipe among her things after she passed away, and make it every year.

Then I run the same routine for Christmas!

This year, my 24 year old daughter the other day said to me, rather timidly, "Mom, would you mind if this year Ross [6 year old son] and I don't come for Thanksgiving? My friend Heather and I want to try and make our own dinner for her family and us." I have to admit, this was a bit shocking, but I gathered up my motherly wisdom and tried to say cheerfully, "That's okay, honey. I'm sure you'll have a great time, and we see you plenty." (She lives nearby.) Gotta admit though, this was super hard to say, ha!

Laura

> As for cornbread dressing I don't
> make it, I don't like it. Maybe because I
> don't like corn bread.

> Buffet sounds good!