The Wonderful world of Deborah: Can you cook a frozen turkey?

The older I get the more I realize some things don't change. You always, have bills to pay. There's always laundry to do. And you always act the way you did when you were 5 around your siblings. We all grow up and change in different ways but I have found I ALWAYS revert to the same old role I had growing up.

This week I played that part again when I got together with a few of my siblings for Thanksgiving. Let me introduce the roles we play when we are around each other to you.....

This is Elizabeth. She is the oldest and the most responsible. She seems to always know what the right thing to do is and she does it. As the oldest it is understandable that she is a bit motherly. (not to mention she is obviously in the motherly way) She is patient but sometimes forgets that fact when the next character comes into play.

This is Deborah. She is the second child and a pretty bossy one at that. She doesn't take much seriously and is a bit of an attention hog. She is full of rambunctious energy that can get the party started. She struggles censoring her remarks and often just says exactly what is on her mind. Oh......and heaven help you if you cross her.

This is Eldon. What a guy he is! He is the go to man taking every order that Deborah throws at him. (Eldon, put your shoes on before you walk in the snow. Eldon, use a plate. Eldon, please come turn off the light for me. Eldon, don't do this. Eldon, don't do that. Eldon, wear a coat!) HE is paaaaatient. This man fixes everything and is always looking for ways he can help. He is pretty inventive in how he does things and is always trying to stream line everything he does to either save time or work. He likes to joke around and is one REALLY smart dude! (I sure do love him. I tease and boss him a lot but I'd also defend him to the death if any one messed with him)

And then there is this guy. He joined our sibling squad a little late in the game so I can't tell you how he acted when he was five. But I can tell you how he acted 5 years ago when he joined rank. This is Mark. He is the brother in law but we just call him brother. He is a very smart analytical thinker and enjoys explaining how things work and likes a little spotlight himself. He can be a sarcastic dude who likes to tease ya here and there. He has a way he likes to do just about everything and likes for you to do it that way to. He is lots of fun and very handy to have around.

Now that you've met everyone hopefully you can picture us all in a room. Liz, explaining to me how to make candied yams....I'm giggling as I drop green beans into the uncooked pumpkin pie and tell Eldon not to pick off the veggie tray....Eldon decides to try to catch olives in his mouth as he wipes up spilt something by skating across the floor with towels on his feet.....and Mark is....well he was in the other room watching TV mostly.

We cooked all day and ended up eating pretty late. But for the most part all of Liz's experimental recipes were great and the frozen turkey made it out of the oven very moist. We had a great thanksgiving and I sure am glad I was able to spend it with the people who bring out the worst in me! (just kidding! I love you guys!) Here are some pics....

Okay, these candied yams...or sweet potatoes (apparently they are the same thing) took me all stinking day to do. You have to boil them peel them, slice them, make the stuff that goes on top.....to much work if you ask me.

Eldon making a floral center piece to get extra credit in his class.

Our beautiful Center piece! Good Job Eld.

What a good brother! When you grow up in the middle of 4 girls you can't escape getting your hair done or your toe nails painted. He humored me when I wanted to see if I could straighten out the waves he'd been complaining about.