Berit the Stand-In Turkey

As often happens in the big Northwoods, the weather forecast hijacked our plans.  The Seim/White family had been developing a regular tradition of Doug's prime rib, plenty of wine and absurd games of Scrabble at my house in Duluth.  This year we got Woody and Rachael and that was it.  Not willing to let our "new" craigslist-100-year-old-steal-of-an-oak-table go unused, we made a formal go of it.  More than once I reminded my baby-daddy and my little brother that while we appeared to be embracing the traditional roles of womenfolk in the kitchen preparing hot food while baby bouncing and the menfolk lounging on the couch watching football with a brief excursion to shovel and blow falling snow, this is not the new norm. 

The kitchen queens, goggles required for the onions, as always.

Yukon stands guard at the kitchen door, just in case.

The table is set but...

...without a turkey, we improvise!  

Berit gives momma a sideways look: yes, honey, this is a normal Thanksgiving custom. 

Uncle Woody gets in some quiet little bear time...

After the big meal we all recline in the living room, uneaten baby included.