A few Thanksgiving notes:

Emmett came over on Wednesday to help make the Spanikopita with Matilda. As we stood in the parlor talking he glanced down at JZ's cookie jar and sort of stroked it, affectionately, wistfully.

My college roommate, Chip, wrote me a lovely letter, all typed up and everything.

I heard from many people on the day but it was particularly sweet to hear from Nikki and Malia, the teenagers we helped who said they were very grateful for me and Matilda. They have settled in nicely with their new Foster host and doing well.

When we were cleaning up, we found the journal that JZ's Matron of Honor, Charlotte, sent to Matilda. Instead of writing her a card, she had filled up a blank book with her memories of being with Jacqueline. I think Jacqueline had asked Charlotte to write to Matilda and reach out to her. She took it to heart and filled up a blank book.

Matilda held the journal to her heart and a wave of sadness crashed on her. She was sad off and on all day, but she also got everything ready with me. And there was plenty of laughter for her too. It was good for her to host her friend Mia.

Emmett was running around setting up Thanksgiving that his girlfriend, Kalena, was hosting at their apartment for her family. She's starting a new job and has been off to Fairfield for two weeks for training and orientation. So he had to brine and spatchcock her bird, and clean the house, as she was only back for one day to cook everything.

But as ever, his genial, warm, laughing presence lifts the mood in the room. Just as he did as the entertainment at all of Matilda's birthday, he makes it festive.

Our two new guests, Jes and Joce, fit in perfectly, as I expected they would. They're both very funny and warm hearted and creative.

My turkey was dry. The mac and cheese Matilda requested that I banged out at the last minute was great. The mushroom stew in the pastry cups continues to be the favorite dish. Emily's pies were all fantastic.

In local news: 13 Israeli hostages, 10 Thai hostages and one Filipino hostage were released today alive.

I'm very thankful for that. I hope it is the beginning of a steady stream.

And how was the spanakopita?

And how was the spanakopita?

We haven't had it yet! Though it was ready to go it didn't make it to the table.

But that's the nice thing about spanikopita, you can just hit it all week when you're feeling peckish.

I'll give a full review of their first (eggless) Spanikopita, which I would probably have for lunch but I'm already planning my first Thanksgiving sandwich of the season.

I hope it is the beginning of a steady stream.

The ceasefire deal is for four days. Israel should get 37 more hostages (I do hope they're alive) over the next three days, with additional 10 hostages for every day the ceasefire is still on. While there are still over 200 hostages there, it's unfortunatly not likely that they're all alive and that Hamas knows where they are.

My turkey was dry.

My brother was complaining that the turkey had weird bones and not a lot of meat. He's carved the turkeys for years so it wasn't inexperience. He cooked it - and thus was trying to carve it - upside down.

Bonus, that was good turkey. Super moist and tasty.

My beloved Niecelet was mortified since she'd helped with the turkey but honestly, I'd try the upside down technique in the future. But flipping right side up for the last hour for browning.

The mushroom stew in the pastry cups continues to be the favorite dish.

I was going to bring mushroom croustades but my oven failed to oven. So it was a creamy mushroom dip on crackers. It would have been better in the toasted cups that I couldn't make or in the pastry cups but I couldn't find any for sale.

The sunny side of this situation is that the remaining is going on a pizza or on some pasta. I don't think the croustades would have left me with extra mushroom deliciousness.

Timelies all!

Thanksgiving at my MIL’s went very well. No meltdowns or tantrums from Mr. S. Of course, when we were back at the room and it was time to settle down for bed he had a tantrum complete with throwing things. Baby steps, I guess.

Mr. S getting through a whole Thanksgiving sounds like a big step. Not the final step but you gotta start with the baby steps. I'm glad you had a good meal even if he had some rough moments back in the room. I wish you the best. It's a struggle, I know.

While there are still over 200 hostages there, it's unfortunatly not likely that they're all alive and that Hamas knows where they are.

EDIT because I forgot to reply to this but. My heart aches for everyone trapped in this stupid conflict. And it burns with anger for those who continue and escalate it.

honestly, I'd try the upside down technique in the future. But flipping right side up for the last hour for browning.

Huh. Interesting idea. Not that I have cooked a turkey or likely ever will.

smonster, happy to hear it's behind you now. All the ~ma. You are smart and incredibly brave.

Thank you, Shir and all. R castigated me for not even having the courage to talk to them before showing up with friends and deputies to get my stuff; that stung a little until I realized I had the courage to stand up for and choose myself over doing things “the right way,” and that is big progress for me. I’m hoping I can continue to learn to be more assertive and direct.

I had leftovers from my neighbor for lunch but I’m hungry again. I also kind of want a nap.

Finally watched Blue Beetle, which I had tried to get R to watch without success. It was delightful and heartwarming.

It sounds like a lot of good Thanksgiving-ing going on.

Mine went fine. It’s usually three of us, but one had to cancel last minute. But the other friend and I can keep the conversation going for a few hours with no trouble. After dinner, seconds, pie, and pie seconds, we rambled around our very quiet college town Pokémon-ing.

Today I’ve been doing my traditional tree trimming while watching the Lord of the Rings (extended editions). I’m just wrapping up The Two Towers, and the tree is all done. Now for further leftover noshing.