This is a very different Thanksgiving! Jeff signed up a 16 year old soccer team to play in the Harvest Cup soccer tournament held on the UCI campus in Irvine. The girls arrived by plane and car Thanksgiving day and they wanted their thanksgiving meal on the beach! Definitely not your routine Thanksgiving meal venue. All they asked for was hot dogs and hamburgers so that is what Marie and I prepared to serve them and their parents. In all about 30 people plus a serving staff of 5. When I asked Cassy to join us she was gracious enough to offer to do Turkey, Dressing, Candied Yams (the girls really wanted marshmallows on top so she reluctantly obliged ) Gravy and Cranberry sauce. There is so much more about the prep I need to tell but it would bore you. One side note- it never rains in California and it hadn't for a long time. On Tuesday it started to rain then on Wednesday it was on and off but on Thursday morning it just poured rain right over Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano. I was trying to prepare for a plan B but Jeff said don't worry dad it is going to clear and all will be fine! It cleared about 11 am but about 11:30 as we were getting ready to leave with all the food it started to sprinkle again and Marie stood at the open garage door and just said please stop and it did! It was a clear beautiful warm day from that moment on. There are lots of pictures that are basically for Jeff, his assistant coach Caleb (he was such a fantastic helper for Marie) and the wonderful parents and girls of TEAM
INFINITY that show the wonderful Thanksgiving meal and fun we had at the beach November 27, 2008
I won't say much about the photos but the ones of Cassy and her burnt marshmallows is special. She was trying so hard to please by putting the marshmallows on top and browning them but the broiler was a little too hot- she left for a moment- when she came back her kitchen was ablaze and she was sure the house was going to catch fire but she was able to blow out the flames. The resultant burnt marshmallows were scraped off and what was left added a nice crunch to the yams - they were all eaten so I guess Cassy has developed a new taste treat. Thank you Cassy for all your hard work and wonderful cheery spirit.
