happy to report that the bourbon pecan pie is yum. not the best pecan pie in the world, but not the worst I have had, so for a first try, I am happy.

Jessica, I'm so glad you and E and the kids are all OK!

I always love reading about what everyone here is doing for their various holidays. Ours went really well. My parents are in town, and we hosted a couple of friends and their two 13-month-old twins for T-day dinner at 1. Menu: Curried lentil-potato casserole; roasted veggies; mac & cheese; green-bean casserole; kale salad; cranberry rolls; gingerbread; pumpkin pie. Everything was super delicious and all was ready just about when it needed to be, which is always a minor miracle, and all three kids stayed in good spirits almost the whole time, too. After our guests left, my parents and I took Rose to the playground while M took a nap, then we all came back, had another Thanksgiving dinner that couldn't be beat, Skyped with my brother, and now we're all ready for bed. It's been a pretty fabulous day.

As ever, I'm thankful for the many wonderful people in my life, and this board forms a huge part of that group. Thank you all for being here, and for being you. I always have a home here, and I'm more grateful for that than I can say.

I had a lovely dinner with a friend and her extended, blended family. One of her stepsons is a Doctor Who geek and another is studying English lit at the same place I did, so conversation was relatively easy. And my friend is terrific cook. There was lamb. Mmmmm. Also, chocolate-hazelnut pie.

When I left, I was walking down a dimly lit street to my car, alone, and a strange man came up to me asking for a ride home. And yes, it was cold for walking but it was also cold for getting raped, murdered, and buried in the woods by the creek, so I said no. I feel like I failed a bit at the whole paying your luck forward thing. But no.

I did not have pie. I had peanut butter cake with peanut butter frosting and chocolate chips, though, so don't feel bad.

When I wasn't eating all the gravy, I spent time today wearing dresses on my head and playing the monster attacking the princess castle. Now I'm thinking about getting more gravy and catching up on Sleepy Hollow.

In the immortal words of Shaggy, this doesn't sound familiar so I'm guessing Theresa or shrift.

I have no memory of this place.

I'd have said No too, Calli.

Thanksgiving brunch was good -- hatch green chile and sausage egg casserole, french toast, lots of prosecco, and pumpkin bread. The kids played a beanbag toss game and lots of soccer, which was awesome. Temps were in the mid 60s and our backyard is a lovely place to sit, even though people kept seeking shade.

Then 6 of us had dinner in the late afternoon -- turkey, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, and brussel sprouts gratin (which was menh). Tomorrow, we'll have shepherds pie, turkey style.

Well, SOME people kept seeking shade. Nutty SoCal-istas.

It was lovely and fun.But damn, I'm full.

Oh hell no, Calli. There's no way.

Yeah, not just "no" but "hell no", Cali.

Yep. And now I know why the host offered to walk me to my car. Anyway, the food and dinner company were lovely, and now I'm looking at my partly trimmed tree. I love drinking my coffee in the morning with just the tree lights on. The LEDs are really bright.

Jessica, so glad you are all ok.

Calli - no way no how.

Sue, I am on Skype and have sent you a contact request.

ita, I have memory of someone I know getting a pair of red snakeskin pants with like black demarkations on the scales. We did go shopping that time I came to Detroit, didn't we?