our house smells like a deep fryer

well, thanksgiving's over, but it was pretty awesome. it was probably the biggest one we've ever had, since we had people coming in from all over (texas, north carolina, arizona, california, colorado, and germany). we got to hang out with our older cousins whom we haven't seen in three years, but everything felt the same, like we hadn't been separated at all. i love when that happens. and our newest cousins, manuel (three and a half) and avery (eighteen months), charmed everyone and filled the house with noise from morning till night.

usually with thanksgiving, my mom takes care of whatever sort of bird we're cooking, while mv and i are in charge of the sides. this year, we did the sides again, but i somehow also found myself with my hands all up inside the capon (a desexed rooster!), with herbed butter everywhere, including on my face. but i trussed the thing up myself! and it was delicious, if i do say so myself.

as i was performing surgery on the bird and greasily trying to lace it up, my mom said, "i'm so glad that i've finally paid my dues and now you guys will cook dinner. but i'd better enjoy it, because once you have kids, i'll be back to cooking." well, she has a while before that happens. no one in the younger generation is quite ready for a family. we did start a pool though, betting on which of the six girl cousins (ages 20-27) will get married first. we also wrote down our predictions for the marriage order, and mimi (aged 23) was horrified to see herself at the top of everyone's lists. i was somewhere between fourth and fifth, which seems about right and gives me plenty of time :)

now the house is gradually getting emptier and quieter, but i'm here until tuesday. so i get to see my friends, maybe get some gift shopping in, and get a head start on those holiday decorations! i love this christmas-y time of year...