I've noticed it myself.

When my Grandparents were alive there were always Aunts and Uncles and nieces and nephews present. There almost wasn't room in the houses for us all.

Then the Grandparents passed away, one by one.

The Aunts and Uncles became Grandparents themselves and had their own gatherings with their Sons and Daughters and children. Now they have great-grandchildren and the tradition carries on with each separate family unit.

Next thing I knew, Thanksgiving was just Mom and Dad and my brother and myself. Neither of us had children of our own so the gathering was small.

I didn't know, back when I decided to not have children, that it would affect the holidays so dramatically. We don't have that family gathering of Grandparents, Aunts (me) and Uncles (DB) and their (our) children.

Now it's hard to even bother with it. Don't get me wrong, we're still thankful...all year long, every day. But...what's the point in cooking a turkey for 4?

I'm glad you have your family with you this Thanksgiving Sharon! I hope they treasure every minute of it.

Glad you're enjoying your family with extended birthday blessings and having them with you for Thanksgiving.

Thanks ladies.
I guess the 4 of us is a small number, but we'll celebrate and be thankful anyway.

'Course every day for me is a thankful day!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Well, now I feel bad...I didn't mean it that way!
4 is a fine number...you've got your kids and your Grandson. It's the family bit I was trying to explain.

Oh no, I knew exactly what you meant. But like you, 4 is all I have left. I do have a brother but he's about 400 + miles away, so I'm just glad it's not only the cats and me this time. Though I've settled for them a time or two before. They don't seem to mind

It's just DH and me, and the cats aren't even here anymore - but we have good friends and they include us every year!!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

I thought you were cat sitting, Hetty???
Happy Thanksgiving right back to you!

The cats have been returned to their rightful owner. They were just fostercats..

Awwwwwww . . .

Yeah, we miss them too... contemplating adopting a new set after the holidays!

I think you should. Here are mine celebrating my birthday on Sunday.
They are quiet celebrators.

Some party, Sharon!!
A belated Happy Birthday to you!

Thanks Hetty!

I wish you a happy Thanksgiving Sharon and a belated happy birthday. I´m glad your family will be celebrating with you.

Turducken, yum - That is some meal your son will be cooking. One of my daughters once cooked turducken for a Christmas family gathering. It was a big job to prepare, but it tasted wonderful.

Magga, thank you so much!

If my son is anything like his mother, he'll find a turducken that's already prepared and ready for the oven!!

I was thinking yesterday that you need to start a blog here and show us all your lovely quilts and hand made items. I hope you'll think about doing that.

My, how things do change.....
When I was small we always went north to Montgomery where we celebrated with mom's parents, brothers & their families either Thanksgiving or Christmas. Family. And lots of it. Which ever holiday we stayed home for our house was "open house" & all the friends of my parents & their families filled our house to bursting. Mom cooked most of the food but everyone brought dishes too. It was always exciting & warm feeling (the weather too --- warm! Too warm!)
But what falls away came to pass eventually.
Now it's just dh & I as like LeeAnne we are childless by choice. But that's fine as after 38 years we are so accustomed to doing our own thing that it seems strange to do anything else. We have accepted invitations a few times & while it was nice, we found ourselves missing our own celebration our own way. We are fortunate that we are best friends besides mates.
My, how things do change.....
And they will change again.

It's inevitable, change is.
And usually it isn't as bad as we think it will be.

I hope your Thanksgiving is as wonderful as you expect it to be, Anni!

Thank you partner! And yours too!

to all of you, too.

Happy Birthday, Sharon! And yes, I know it was yesterday, the day before or some such thing but I'm of the mind to celebrate birthdays for at least a week at a time. (If it is more than a week ago, okay okay...Happy Belated Birthday! :>)

I remember big spreads on the table for holidays, most of 'em with the same ingredients as yours, except the turducken which seems to be a new piece of cuisine that came about ten yrs ago (for me anyway).

Enjoy that Turkey Day, even though you won't eat the turkey (or the hen or the duck)...maybe you'll eat the oyster dressing w/all the good veggies though, eh?

Enjoy your fambly time!
Shoe