Flying Turkeys - Meagan Hale

Thanksgiving at my house is most likely the tastiest and funniest event of the year. Family is something I hold close to my heart but my family is full of storytellers and tricksters so you have to watch out. For about a week in advance it is just my mother and I cooking while my uncles and aunts and cousins are all sitting around talking. The house is full of the sound of laughters and the mouth watering aroma of thanksgiving on its way. You must be careful though because turn the wrong corner and someone will jump out to scare you or hide fake spiders in the microwave. As funny as it is the first time, believe me, it gets old fast. We've had everything from 72 hour Justified marathons to pies imploding. One tradition at my house that actually contradicts Thanksgiving is that there is a ham where the turkey is suppose to be. The kitchen starts to fill with corn pudding, dressing (stuffing, for you folks lacking southern slang), sweet and mashed potatoes, deviled eggs, and the most beautiful ham you have ever seen. Once everyone has a plate we all migrate to the dinning room where after giving thanks the eating commences. The stories start up again, though they never really stop just go on pause, and the laughing continues. By the end, everyone is either groaning from being so full or making no noise at all because they lapsed into a food coma. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite times of year and I love being surrounded by my family. There is no other place I would rather spend the holiday than in my house with my loved ones.