Packed to the hilt! Here's a picture of my knitting projects all ready to go. A bag for every project and a project for every bag! Oh, I did pack some clothes but knitting projects were priority.
In this scenic picture, you see the beautiful rolling foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Virginia is a beautiful state. Everything here is still very green and they still have a lot of color on their trees.
We arrived in Danville around 6:30 PM Thanksgiving Day. It was about an eight hour drive with two quick stops. We sent straight to Mom and Daddy's house for a bowl of stew and grilled cheese sandwiches and then headed to the hotel. Feels so strange staying hotel in my hometown. It just made more sense. Mom wouldn't have to clean out the guest bedroom for us with all our stuff, we would have internet access at the hotel, etc.
Yesterday, we all headed to Greensboro, NC. It was a fast trip. We stopped by Gate City Yarns and then headed to Cracker Barrel for lunch. Timmie, a member of the Monday night Ktog group in Danville, was working at Gate City and it was so good to see her.Greensboro has two wonderful bakeries within a stone's throw of the knitting shop and both were closed yesterday. Here's a
picture of Mom and Daddy standing near the entrance to one of the bakeries. I love this gate!!!
Today, we had our Thanksgiving dinner. Brian and Eryn and Taylor and Rachael came to Mom and Daddy's. Dinner was absolutely delicious. Taylor, chef son, fixed the turkey, macaroni and cheese, and a green bean casserole. Eryn brought her family's favorite cornbread dressing. Mom made our holiday standards - broccoli, cheese, and rice casserole, cranberry salad, sweet potato casserole, dressing, deviled eggs, and pound cake with peppermint ice cream. Delish!!!!
I love Christmas - love giving gifts more than I do receiving them. I so missed not being with my children last year at Christmas. I packed two paper grocery bags full to the brim of wrapped goodies - big and small - for the boys and their girls. I decided to bring the gifts with us so I wouldn't have to ship everything. At first, I didn't want them to open anything until Christmas Day. But, then I realized I'd miss all the fun of them opening everything. So, the unwrapping commenced.
It was fun! The Fetchings I made for Eryn fit her nicely. I gave Eryn and Brian and Taylor pieces of Jason's pottery, Rachael a darling night shirt, and lots of edible stuff for everyone. Eryn and Brian had the same idea and brought our Christmas gifts, too. They gave Mom and Daddy and Andy and me digital picture frames. They loaded Mom and Daddy's with some great photos of their wedding, the two of them, us, Taylor and Rachael, etc. What a great gift!
When Brian and Taylor get together, inevitably they end up in the floor. They get in the same room and instantly act like three-year-olds. So silly and so much fun together. I just love being around them and miss them terribly.
We took pictures today. Some serious and some silly. They'll have to last me until I get to see them again.
Tomorrow, we'll just hang out at Mom and Daddy's. I plan on relaxing and doing some serious knitting.
Brian and Taylor look so happy, as do your parents. Cause for Thanksgiving~
Posted by: Sharon | November 29, 2010 at 11:36 PM
How nice that you are able to get everyone together for Thanksgiving! It looks like you're having a wonderful time.
Oh and I love your idea of packing your soap in the snowman cans. Great idea!
Posted by: Sydney | November 29, 2010 at 12:41 AM
FUN! I hope you continue to have a wonderful time!
Posted by: Pom Pom | November 28, 2010 at 10:03 PM
looks like the mitts fit very well. It was fun seeing you Friday and Monday night will be great fun. Did you by any change bring your pin so you can show me how to Portuguese knit?
Posted by: Timmie | November 28, 2010 at 08:57 AM
Looks like you had a wonderful time. Have fun the rest of the time you're at home.
Posted by: mrspao | November 28, 2010 at 04:10 AM
Your parents look really healthy! So you had Thanksmas. It makes sense.
I understand about the hotel, but in reverse. I'd grown accustomed to going back to my home during family visits when I lived a half-hour north; it was moving back into my old room after ten years that felt weird. Just have fun, and at the risk of redundancy, enjoy the rest of your trip!
Posted by: Jeanne B. | November 27, 2010 at 10:03 PM
Hi Robin!
How WONDERFUL to see all of you together again and everyone looks great too! Hi Mom!!! I'm so glad you were able to make this trip and know you are having a blast!!
Posted by: Jackie | November 27, 2010 at 09:02 PM
Sounds like a wonderful holiday. Enjoy the rest of your trip.
Posted by: Kristyn | November 27, 2010 at 08:56 PM