Imagine the fabulous traditional Thanksgiving dinner that we all know and love from TV and movies. Extended families coming together to enjoy a feast fit for kings, bringing spouses and children with them to share in this day of thanks, as has been customary in the family for generations. A beautiful turkey presented at the table, alongside mashed potatoes, green beans, moist and fulfilling stuffing, and a lovely glass of wine. "Oh, could you please pass the mashed potatoes? Thank you. And how is your lovely family doing? Wonderful! How fabulous!"

Mine wasn't quite like that.

20 people crammed around the kitchen going haven't-eaten-all-day-buffet-style. Kids alternating between eating, climbing the antique furniture, and playing with the dog. On the table lay homemade foods (mashed potatoes, macaroni casserole, rice) and some store-bought goodies too (turkey, honey-glazed ham, potato salad, stuffing, creamed spinach, pasta salad, coleslaw, pumpkin pie, fresh lumpia, beverages, gravy, ...). Most of us sat in the dining room with the fine silver and the plates that are only brought out for special occassions; the two parents sat in the kitchen by themselves because there were no more seats left (despite many offers to give some up).

And yet, it ranks amongst the funnest Thanksgiving dinners I've ever had.