Fall Planning

Our Columbus Day is Canadian Thanksgiving. Growing up on the Canadian border links these two holidays in my mind.  I feel a bit like the stores that put the Halloween candy out in August, but at least that explains how I found myself making Thanksgiving plans on a weekend with sunny skies and temperatures in the 70s.  Otherwise we would truly need to doubt my sanity (quiet, now . . . )  

In our family, we alternate hosting Thanksgiving between my husband’s brother and ourselves, and try to keep that alternation in sync with my older three boys every other year Thanksgivings with their father and me.  It gets complex sometimes, but generally works. 

I’ve always wanted to host Thanksgiving at our island house, but year after year my dreams have been foiled by football games and other conflicting events.  This weekend, I tentatively floated that idea to three of my boys—and the response was positive!  Not all the votes are in yet, but so far it looks as if my dream may actually come true this year :-) 

Now, one of the boys pointed out that one reason I want to do this is because the island house is cleaner and less cluttered than the main house, and that by having Thanksgiving on the island I am just trying to avoid a lot of cleaning.  I can’t say that he isn’t at least partially right.  Though my house certainly wouldn’t qualify for a Hoarders episode, there is a fair bit of clutter between the dining room table and hosting a Thanksgiving dinner on it at the main house.  And considerably less clutter on the island dining room table.  But still, that’s not all of it. 

The core of it is wanting to celebrate a holiday at the place where I am happiest.  Time will tell if my dream comes true for this Thanksgiving,  Coordinating multiple families’ schedules can certainly be a challenge, and putting a ferry crossing in there doesn’t simplify things, but practical is not always best.  There’s a lot to be said for shaking things up now and then—to change tradition just enough to put focus on what’s really important.  There will be details (do I even have enough plates?  Silverware?) but I am really looking forward to and hoping for this new tradition!

And while that all sorts itself, I probably ought to be getting Halloween candy!