Thankfulness and Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake

I can't believe it's almost Thanksgiving. I think not having kids and not being responsible for the cooking in my family, it is more surreal. That's why I so look forward to going to my sister's for her and her husband's wonderful hosting of our Thanksgiving.

Growing up we used basically had Thanksgiving at my Uncle Skip and Aunt Bet's house (my mother's brother). They had two girls that were within the same age as my sister Tracy and I. I was the oldest, Beth was 3 months younger, Barb a year younger, Tracy 2 years younger than myself and bringing up the rear, Stephanie, my grandmother's pride and joy (my mother had her when she was 30-gasp! My grandmother thought she should have stopped at the 2 of us, but when she was born, watch out! She was the apple of her eye-and for good reason!) We all lived in the same town, so went to the same schools once we got into middle school and high school. Beth has been married since she was out of college and has two handsome boys, one in college and the other in high school in the Raleigh-Durham area, and Barb with her beautiful girls, now about 14 and 12, living in the Allentown, PA area. Anyway, we always had Thanksgiving at their house, and Christmas was at my parents (we always thought we got the better deal!) The one thing I remember about Thanksgiving dinner was that we always had Green Giant Niblet Corn. It never changed...isn't that a weird thing to remember? And I always wondered what the heck Mincemeat pie was, that my cousin Barb loved. ugh.

Thanksgiving this year will be fun. My sister Tracy and her son Ryan will be there. I love it when the kids are all together, as they don't get to see one another as much. Alex 13, Madison 7 and Ryan almost 9-it will be good. I'll probably get some Webkinz stuff for them, as the younger ones are more into it, and Aunt Robin makes sure to either take care of Ryan's garden or send things to the kids in their Kinzmail. Madison is proud to tell me she has about 30 or 31 of them...!

My responsibility is desserts. My mom always makes a pumpkin pie. I used to cook and bake; one of the things on my lengthy "to do" list on the house is to update the kitchen. My oven, very outdated, is not working properly. That's okay, because the pies at Tinton Falls Pastry Chef are awesome. There has been a specific request this year, though. A Godiva(r) Chocolate Cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory; my mom thinks I'm nuts to cave into the request, but hey-that's what aunts are for, am I right!? Brian's with his family for Thanksgiving this year (he'll be having Christmas with mine!) and I'm getting him a Sugar-Free Apple Pie from the All Seasons Diner. So, tomorrow, it's over the river and through the woods to: Eatontown, Tinton Falls and Freehold! That song just reminds me of my grandfather-who sang or whistled it throughout the year!

As much of a crabby pants that I can get from time to time (as we all can be), I am thankful that I have a job, a house over my head, a family (warts and all!), wonderful friends and a support group of people out there (you know who you are!) that makes me really smile and take a breath and just say: "Thank you!"

Thankful Hugs,

Robin