Last year the builder finished our house in mid October and we moved in the end of October. Instead of trying to decide which side of the family we should go to for Thanksgiving, my husband had the bright idea of having both families over to our house. I said, "Are you nuts? Do you know how many people that would be?" But we did.
Hubby smoked turkeys and hams on the mondo smoker he uses to cater at the Rolex 24 Hours each year in Daytona. Everyone that came brought a dish or two or three. It was a beautiful, mild day and we set up tables out on the porch. My grandson, who was eight, gave rides around the property to all the kids on our John Deere Gator. Two relatives brought their guitars and played and sang on the porch. It was absolutely great. Instead of leaving right away, everyone hung around for hours. One of my nephews stayed and helped my husband clean up and put away tables and chairs and two of my sisters totally cleaned my kitchen. I didn't have to do a thing after they left.
There were nearly 50 people, all related by blood or marriage except two, and there were six family members that were not able to make it. See the picture attached. The dog is my Chesapeake, Nitro, who never leaves my grandson's side, even for a photo. My family outnumbered my husband's by about 7 to 1.
So guess what? This will be an annual affair.
Sharlene SHARLENE BYRUM
Eclipse Scopist/Transcriptionist
Jacksonville, FL
svbyrum@hotmail.com
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