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It's that time again! Holiday time, turkey time, pumpkin pie time. In other words, my favorite time! Seeing my family together while getting to cook and eat large quantities of food (and not have to clean up because that's my husband's self-appointed task)...there's really nothing better.

Thanksgiving and Christmas are nearly the same meal for us. I know some folks love their Christmas goose or their Thanksgiving prime rib, but the more turkey I can eat, the happier I am. Our mornings start early, with everyone coming down in their robes and fuzzy slippers to start the vegetable chopping and prepare the turkey. Watching my younger daughter's face when she has to reach into the turkey and pull out the giblets and neck makes me giggle manically every time. That’s why it’s her job.

When it comes to these dinners, my two daughters and I are a single well-oiled machine. We make stuffing and sweet potatoes and mashed potatoes and gravy and fruit salad (my husband’s favorite.) In a ridiculous attempt to be healthy, we snack on a giant vegetable plate during meal prep, and of course we open a can of giant black olives for everyone to put on their fingers and eat off one by one.

Yes, we’re all fairly grown up.

No, this has never stopped us.

Olives eaten off the fingers is a tradition. One does not mess with tradition.

Then comes the ever-awesome pie-making. I make the pie dough from scratch, partly from tradition (my mother made the best pies) and partly because I am snooty and will not eat store-bought pie crust. We always have pumpkin pie and then another pie which one of my daughters will choose: cherry or apply cranberry or rhubarb custard. This is a very important consideration since the leftover pie will become our day-after-the-holiday breakfast. After all, fruit is an important part of a balanced breakfast.

We frequently have guests to share in the meal, and they bring their own holiday “must-haves” for us to enjoy. Thanksgiving always includes football. Christmas always involves presents and sometimes snowball fights, but for me and mine, preparing and sharing the food is the most important part of our holiday! May your holidays always be filled with plenty and delight.