Preparations are underway

The pork roast is slowly simmering in onions and white wine.

The pecan pie is baking.

In a little while I'll fire up the breadmaker.

I love Thanksgiving. I miss my family, though... being at Grandmother and Granddad's house in Tishomingo, Oklahoma, with all the aunts and uncles and cousins. There wouldn't be room for the whole clan there now, since most of us cousins are grown and married and have families of our own. But it's fun to remember those days, nonetheless.

And we've kept up a few of the traditions, like cornbread dressing. There will be a turkey -- but ours will be deep-fried. My family used to play Moon with dominoes around the kitchen table. We play cards around the table.

It's wicked cold out this morning, but the kitchen is cozy and warm and smells of vanilla and toasted pecans.

We are so blessed.