This was our third year hosting Thanksgiving at Lil’ Spot and each year I feel like we get better at juggling all of the happy chaos. Here in New York it was a day filled with snowfall, turkey basting, pie eating and baby bump rubbing.
My two sweet sisters and brother-in-law were up from DC which made my day extra special. I can’t get enough of the times when the three of us are together. #reunitedanditfeelssogood
While I pampered the turkey and set the house up for guests, James worked hard shoveling snow and making a path for Grammy’s wheelchair. She arrived with Mom early in the day for hors d’oeuvres (cheese ring is fancy enough to qualify as an hors d’oeuvres, right?). We snapped pictures and compared outfits and after a few hours of fun she headed home, tuckered out and filled with love from her ‘grand-babies’, as she calls us.
Dinner was centered around our big ol’ turkey, of course, and conversation about music technology (from The Beatles vs. The Beach Boys to T-Pain and Auto-Tune). My Dad had just found an article about the Grateful Dead shows he produced back in the early 70’s and how they changed live music forever. (He’s pictured but not mentioned.)
After we filled our bellies with Mo’s Mac N’ Cheese and Dad’s Sausage Stuffing, James’ family arrived for dessert and aperitifs and things got cray-balls. We played a bazillion rounds of Heads Up (best free download ever!) and opened a dozen or so bottles of wine, including a special bottle of port from our wedding. Perfectly suited for this occasion.
It took a few days of movie watching and leftover turkey sandwiches to come down from the high of family, food and fun. We have a lot to be thankful for this year. Here are some snaps of the scene at our house.
I hope you all had a fantastic holiday weekend too! Onto the next one!
Loveyoubye, Maggie
Molly Bea
12/10/2014 at 7:51 PM (10 years ago)Feel Like I was there! thanks for sharing!
Jill
12/03/2014 at 7:33 PM (10 years ago)Looks fabulous Maggie! Love all the photos and love all of you! I wish I had read your blog for a little inspiration before Thanksgiving. I won’t make the same mistake at Christmas. Can’t wait for that little baby boy to arrive. You look so beautiful and happy. Loveyoubye! Jill
Nicki Dwyer
12/03/2014 at 6:46 PM (10 years ago)Love reading about this and seeing all the beautiful photos of you, James and your sisters…your grandmother too! Missing one of your mother though!
barbara
12/02/2014 at 7:55 PM (10 years ago)So rich, all the photos but I especially love to see you and James pre bambino.
Maggie Natarelli
12/03/2014 at 8:28 AM (10 years ago)Thank you, Barbara! Such a huge compliment coming from you! We are getting so excited for Bambino…but these days just the two of us are so special now! Loving all the pics of GiGi lately! xoxo
Mary
12/02/2014 at 4:48 PM (10 years ago)A perfect Thanksgiving!!!
dede
12/02/2014 at 12:44 PM (10 years ago)I love your table! I LOVE your glassware!! AND I LOVE YOUR WHOLE FAMILY!!!
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Maggie Natarelli
12/02/2014 at 2:00 PM (10 years ago)Dede, that set of vintage tumblers is SO. YOU. Found them at a thrift store last spring and had to break my embargo on new thrift purchases to get them! Totally worth it, if you ask me. xoxo
Molly
12/02/2014 at 11:16 AM (10 years ago)Beautiful table! Loves like a lovely time. 🙂
Maggie Natarelli
12/02/2014 at 12:34 PM (10 years ago)Thanks, Molly! xo