This year the menu included a spicy side-dish of politics, as Christine and her Dad are not on the same page, shall we say, when it comes to Presidential candidates (that's right - Christine is a "yuge" Trump fan). But around a table of British, Polish and Georgian immigrants, and at least one dual citizen, the spirit of Thanksgiving was only as far away as the next cocktail. In the Mucker house, that's always true.
Ah yes, the biggest question was whether I could outdo my beer cooler pumpkin of last year.
The answer was: of course! With several trips to Home Depot, and a few milk cartons.
And the help of my sister.
Behold! The triple-cocktail-serving pumpkin!! Patent pending.
Other awesome things were being created too, like Emily's hedgehog cake (imported giant chocolate buttons for prickles).
But the main event was in the Mucker's oven when we arrived.
There was just enough cooking time for some fun and games before dinner.
Pete enjoyed himself.
So did his Mum.
Fall fun.
And then it was time to eat. And eat.
JJ selfie.
The next day we skipped the Black Friday fun for a calorie-burning walk in Wheaton park. Although you can burn a lot of calories fighting for a TV at 5am.
Three gruff goats seek troll.
A few more autumn colours.
Luckily there's a hothouse here as well, complete with camouflaged monkeys.
I am thankful for: time to smell the flowers.
