Holiday Weekend Edition.

Thanksgiving was lovely. We had a glorious time cooking and ushering in the warmth and glow of the collective Holiday season that is now upon us. We brined a 20 pound Turkey over night, which produced succulent meat indeed. We cooked stuffing, and sweet potatoes, gravy, and pies. We had a house full of guests. It was lots of time together in the kitchen and at home as a family and with friends. Just as a holiday should be. And naturally, the only picture we have to show from it, is the one I took of the stuffing as I was posting the recipe to In Our Mix. Go figure.



The day after Thanksgiving while I was dreaming of my people back in the States doing Black Friday shopping, I took a bit of consolation in a Skyped phone call with my mother in Egypt while we cyber shopped together. It was a lovely way to spend two hours. Let's do it again next year mom!



But we did get to carry out one favorite after-Thanksgiving tradition as the Boys Scouts on base spared us the agony of a fake Christmas tree by importing 90 fresh trees from Oregon. We headed over to their sale Friday morning, and walked ourselves home a mini version of Christmas delight. Friday night was once again spent ushering in the joys of the new season.


(Is it okay that we don't require pants while decorating for Christmas?!)

Saturday I braved an incredible face wind (sort of like a head wind, only this one describes the situation when the wind blows directly and primarily in your face) and a rain/snow combo to complete my 10-mile run as promised. My foot went along with the program, and I am indebted to it indeed. I really wanted to run, so I'm glad my foot didn't stop me. But I was also really glad when it was over and I was back inside.

But the children needed an outing and it was a day ending in 9 (as in Nov. 29th), which meant right outside of the gates it was a "Market Day". The girls and I have gone several times, but the boys had never come with us. We ventured out into the cold to see what kind of Korean delights we might stumble across.

George scored this hat. Major Earnest is not entirely convinced that it was a good purchase. He is our ever vigilant fashion police, and this one barely scraped by.

But the girls' strawberry hats and scarves were completely endorsed and even bargained for by their loving father. When I walked up to the table and saw them, I knew I really wanted to buy them, but I said to Major Earnest I just wasn't sure I had enough fight in me to get them for a reasonable price. He just said to me, "How much do you want them for? I'm in the mood for a fight." And he totally got us a bargain indeed. (At which point I totally got a crush on him all over again.)

Of course, I think we are much stronger bargainers when we have our token blondes with us.

The next set of pictures we like to call: "Where Did Baby Jesus Go?"

So, as we brace ourselves for the realities of a Monday morning, we will treasure the time we were able to spend together for Thanksgiving. And as I may at times express a lack of enthusiasm for Korea, don't ever misunderstand that I am infinitely grateful to be together with Major Earnest and all of our children in the warmth and comfort of our home. Because one lesson I have sufficiently learned is, home is where your family is. And I am grateful indeed.