Sunday, November 29, 2009

Thanksgiving in Seattle

We got up early on Thursday and put the Coconut Sweet Potatoes in the oven. They baked for about 45 minutes and by 7:30 am we were on the road to Seattle. It was rainy, hard to see while driving, and generally all-around yucky. We stopped for coffee and headed north on I-5.

But we made it to my brother, Tom’s, just after noon. Tom decided to stay home so Mike and I headed to Aunt Gloria’s where we had a wonderful traditional Thanksgiving feast, including the Coconut Sweet Potatoes!

Cousins Mike, Brian and Cathy relaxed while Aunt Gloria put away the food.

After savoring Aunt Gloria’s homemade pumpkin and chocolate pies we headed to downtown Seattle for the night.

We woke and it was sunny and clear! So Friday morning we had the perfect weather to drive north to Cheryl’s new house.

After the tour of the custom-built, timber-frame house we sat down and enjoyed Cheryl’s baked potato soup with all of the toppings. It was like liquid baked potatoes – nice job, Cheryl!


Mike with Cheryl's parents, Karl and Marlene.

And then Cheryl and I exchanged birthday gifts – we have shared December 1st birthdays since we were just 12 years old! And the book we're holding? It's about all about December 1st birthdays and we have given this back and forth to each other since 1993. Cheryl is the best.

Before long it was time for us to hit the road. We got home around 8:30 pm after stopping for dinner at The Brick in downtown Salem. That was just over 650 miles there, driving around and back. Whewww...

It was a whirlwind. And it was a little emotional. There were a lot of thoughts running through my head as we drove through the neighborhoods so familiar to us. I wasn’t sure how I’d feel coming "home" to Seattle, but knowing it’s not my actual home anymore. But it was beautiful – seeing the snow-topped Olympic Mountains while looking west and the Cascade Mountains looking east. And now we’re back home in Salem...thinkin’ getting’ a Christmas tree…

4 comments:

Unknown said...

Hey Girlie, so glad your trip went well, it does sound like a whirlwind...u know why it was so nice on Friday? Josie's 34th birthday!!!!! we celebrated out at the Pink Door that night very cool!! nice weekend too...and nice to be home Sunday getting ready for the new week. you've built yourself a cozy new home in Salem that's cool, but yes your heart will stay or at least a part of it in Seattle. merry christmas...mmmmwhen will i get my tree???? hugs jm

Joan White said...

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Linda Lou and Senor, Too said...

Just catching up on you guys. What memories of Seattle your post brought back to me. I think I do still miss it, especially when I think, well, it's just not home anymore.!! Maybe a little teary eye will strike, but then, in a flash it is gone!

Linda Lou and Senor, Too said...

oops!!!! Happy Birthday!!!