Bwana Kennel

 Less than a week until Thanksgiving and the chaos is already beginning. In regular homes, well as I remember them it was all about a cleaning up for company. Getting the dust bunnies chased away and finding the holiday linens. At Bwana we know it will never be that simple again. Along with the routine cleaning we will pull out our decorations, get the turkey fryer ready, deep clean every dog crate and have our Christmas decorations waiting to be put up.  We feel very blessed to have a large family.  As many problems as the extra bodies can cause, how could we ever pick some one to do without? In every pack each member brings something to the whole. From the youngest to the oldest . You have the defenders and protectors, the comforters and the young.  You have the providers and the moochers. Both of our packs are the same in the manner in which they have developed. 

I look forward to the day , both my youngest and oldest Brothers will be here for dinner with us.  The  5 grandbabies, from 3 year old Alexandra to 9 year old Tristan, will all have a chance at a drum stick since Grandpa decided to buy 3 turkeys for me to fry . The Cajun Butter seasoning and rub will make the meat tender and moist. The Trimings will be fairly traditional. Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes with sour creme and bacon,  Gravy, The Sweet Potatoes will be a bit different, instead of the simple brown sugar and marshmallows that I grew up with this year we will try the casserole topping that is being discussed on several of my lists, A Simple Salad, something I am thankful all of my little ones love, Green Bean Casserole, Croissants made by the 3 girls with a fresh honey butter. My namesake who loves to bake will make 3 pies, Pumpkin, Deepdish Apple and a Peach just for her dad.

When every one is stuffed to the gills there will be 2 bowls, one for dog bits the other for the straight to the trash bin bones.  I will never forget the year Bo "rescued" the turkey carcass from the trash and devoured it blissfully. No horror stories about bones or upset stomach, no dog fights within the pack. Only a dog so filled with gas the air around him shimmered with each contented poot! Everything from bits of potatoes to salad will end up stirred into their dishes Friday morning. And they will scarf everything happily! We never intended to eliminate chocolate from our menu, but we managed to do so anyway. Less to harm the dogs in case of counter surfing and distracted 2 leggers.

About 4 o'clock family begins to wander away. For naps or football they will find the nitch they are most comfortable in.  And I will begin to drag out the Christmas Decorations. I realized many years ago, the world can change so quickly.  And some changes are so final. Why not embrace the Holidays with great gusto?  We will bring out the treasured Ornaments and set up the Forever Tree. Laughing and scolding it will once more take shape. Bringing deep, warm memories and loved ones into the moment. Watching the magic grow as the tradition unveils I can go to bed content. Knowing the hands of our Mothers touch us still.