Happy Thanksgiving Day 2018!

An 18th century table laid out for the evening meal.

Very quiet here at The Grand Duchy of Stollen in recent weeks what with the onslaught of daily life, but hopefully some time in the hobby chair during the long weekend.  In the meantime, allow me to wish any U.S. visitors who drop by, wherever you might find yourselves in the world, a Happy Thanksgiving.  

The Grand Duchess and Young Master are busily preparing the final dishes upstairs in the kitchen.  The Young Master and I whipped up the pumpkin pie and one of our planned side dishes yesterday afternoon.  In fact, my small, freckled partner in crime did just about everything with only minimal assistance from yours truly and did it very well.  The pie and casserole ought to be extra good this year as a result.  

I am now off to shower and shave before dressing for dinner and placing a couple of calls to family elsewhere.  Enjoy the day everyone, and don't overdo it too much.  Remember, we've got to leave some room for pie and coffee later.  The BEST part of any holiday meal in my humble view.

-- Stokes



P.S.

Is anyone else having trouble with Blogger refusing to allow you to comment on others' blogs?  I've been having the problem for about two weeks now, and it simply refreshes the page without posting the comment I have typed into the little window.  The comment itself seems to disappear into thin air.  Grrrrr. . .  Any suggestions? 



P.P.S. (Friday)
As predicted, the pumpkin pie and greenbean casserole (loaded with french cut greenbeans and artichoke hearts) were spectacular this year.  And all thanks to the culinary efforts of the nine-year old Young Master.  As probably all parents are prone to feel, it seems we have discovered yet another talent.  Or at least an activity that seems to give Paul pleasure.  Maybe another celebrity chef in the making?  

I complimented him again on the dishes he helped with as we cleared the table yesterday evening, and he answered, 

"Hey, Dad! I'm a special kid."  To which The Grand Duchess and I replied almost simultaneously,

"You are a wonderful kid!"  He is reading or coloring in his room at the moment until we manage to pull our clothes on (it's 8:50am here at the moment) to visit our favorite local quick and greasy for a post-Thanksgiving family breakfast.

The Young Master just after we put his pumpkin pie into the oven on Wednesday afternoon.  He is a whiz in the kitchen.