5000 calorie day....

it has been said that today...the average caloric intake is 5000. did you eat that much??? i'm quite sure that i was close....
we had a wonderful day.
i was able to attend Mass ALL BY MYSELF!!! sharing mass with the children is a true priveledge...but...i must confess that being able to sit all by myself is a big privilege also. i've told you all that there are just some 'differences' in the way the south worships. after the Gospel...which, was it me or did it really repeat from last wed???? Fr. Jerry had two microphones placed at the foot of the alter and he asked the faithful to come up and talk about the things that they are Thankful for today. of course it too a minute or two, but then people began to file up toward the front and share their stories. from the young family that are thankful for prayer and will know if their son's heart trouble is cured in another week to the older gentleman (70yrs) that got up and tearfully said how thankful he was that his daughter had found her way 'back to the church' and that he was able to walk her down the isle last month. it was so so sweet....there were so many great things said...one man just offered up being thankful for police/firemen/hospital employees and the military...speaking of all the people that were working today..so that OTHERS could enjoy their holiday in peace.
the mass also included the use of the liturgical dancers that brought up the Eucharist. that is the first time i've ever seen that. pretty neat! as we left, we were invited to take a small loaf of bread that had been baked by many in the parish. each loaf had a prayer attached and we were encouraged to pass the loaf at the dinner table today and have each person take a small piece and then say what they were thankful for.
after mass, Miss R and I ran over to Kmart (we were out of paper towels) and we had to get a new Thomas the Train friend because YOU KNOW WHO pooped in the potty!!! yes, i'm not telling a fib!! He wanted Fearless Freddy but Kmart doesn't have any of the new trains so i got Spencer - he is cool and is battery operated. and Mr. K was very happy to accept him!! so...now,,,he can wear the spiderman mask right Rose?
moving on....we piled in the van and headed down to Nashville. we had a wonderful meal with Phil/Tina and Kris. My Father had a nice visit with Kris as she is the daughter of an old friend of his. funny how those eastside catholics just seem to find one another isn't it???? and then, Phil is from NJ...so there was much conversation about that town.
the menu included of course ham and turkey and stuffing. i decided to add some twists to it and made cranberry couscous, spiced fruit and marinated vegetables.

the couscous wasn't an instant success...but....i gave it a shot. Miss R had spent sometime last night preparing Buckey candy and that was a huge hit of course..
the grown ups got to visit for a while as the big girls took the little ones upstairs to play. after dishes were done, we had our dessert and coffee.
sat around for a little while longer to watch a movie and then headed home.
as i sit here blogging, Mr. K and i are the only ones up. everyone else has headed to bed.
i will add some pictures for your enjoyment...
oh, and had i the nerve to go up to the microphone i would have said that i am most thankful that after 9 months of a commuter marriage/family how happy i am that we are all together again! I think hubby would say the same!
we missed being home ..... we miss all of you terribly!!!
we hope your day was great!!!