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These were my pies for the "Pies: Other" category at our feast.

I had to sum up my turkey day for my readers in a nutshell. Each year, like so many others across our great nation, our family gets together with extended family for the Big Turkey holiday. We give thanks by coming together as a family in one house in a country where we are free to practice the religion of our choice (or not, as the case may be...) and in a climate that is generally willing to comply with whatever anyone throws its way.

So, over Thanksgiving each year, I find it to be an immense blessing to be able to gather as a family to give thanks for our many, overflowing blessings.

To recap just a few of the observations (granted, both serious and amusing...) made over the last few holidays spent with my family:

• Turkey: Best when allowed to thaw for more than a day in advance of the big day. :)
• Gravy: Outstanding when made by my "Betty Crocker/Donna Reed/Martha Stewart" morph of a sister-in-law. You should be so lucky.
• Pies: Turn the oven on before you put the pies in. Yes, that really is important!
• Giblets: Take the giblets out prior to cooking the turkey. Restating the obvious from above: this is important. If you smell burning plastic or wax paper, this is not a good sign and generally an indication that you may have forgotten this important step.
• There is such a thing as too much mulled cider. 'Nuff said.
• Even in the largest of houses, sound travels. Couples should keep this in mind.
• Really long, steep, smooth banisters are very attractive vehicles for 10 year old boys. Period. (Can you say emergency room?)
• Nana's pumpkin pie: No, there can never be too much of this family favorite, and yes, it's a perfectly acceptable breakfast offering.

Now, having read the above, you might think that I have a somewhat jaded view of the Thanksgiving holiday. Not so. In fact, I think that it is my favorite holiday. Yes, there is the pressure to prepare a wonderful meal for scads of people. However, it's also the opportunity to gather with all of my beloved family members, whether we argue or not! Ultimately, we love each other very much, and we really do get along quite well, all things considered. I count my blessings every day. The fact that I have my husband and two daughters by my side each day is a tremendous gift in and of itself. When you add in my siblings and all of their families, as well as my husband's family and all of our friends, we are truly blessed, and I am forever grateful.

Cheers to all of you, and I hope that you had an equally outstanding holiday of your own.

Find more stories and tips for the holidays at Family.com's Yule Blog