Thanksgiving at the Wayside Cafe ... Day 9

How hard he worked, this brother of mine! He and younger son Craig cleared and cleaned and constructed an idyllic setting in the country in which three families could come together for a Thanksgiving like no other.

We were invited to gather at about 12:30 on Monday afternoon. As we drove down the gravel road and got ready to turn into the drive way, we immediately knew that this day was going to be spectacular:









We gathered - three families, with families-inside-families - for a time of delicious food, much laughter, a lot of fun, and a cornucopia of love.

I will let the pictures speak for themselves, for the most part ...

Inside the Wayside Cafe

Walking up to the Wayside Cafe

Entrance to the Cafe

Allan welcoming us all

Dad giving thanks to God and
asking His blessing on the
food and our time together

Lining up at "the Bar" ...

Dad's fresh-baked bread: a recipe he created!

Okay, okay! I'll admit that I'm the shortest!

There's trouble abrewin' at the Bar ...

... or your sister's trying to teach you a
new dance step!

Look out, Matt!

 

These two have been friends
for a long time ...

... but not as long as these two!

Tom Waits for no man ... gotta go outside!

It had turned out to be a perfect day, weatherwise!

Little Ilya was too excited
to sleep the night before ...

Everybody on?

I was told that Dad sang the old cowboy songs
all the way ...

Spectacular harvest vistas

First glimpse of our destination ...

Allan and Craig had driven out earlier with
the truck, laden with apple cider, hot chocolate
and all kinds of cookies and treats!

Paul poured the hot chocolate ...

No one was overlooked ...

 ... no one!

All too soon it was time to load up the wagon and head off in the direction of home.

We reluctantly started to gather up our things and say goodbye to our favourite moments ...

As the sun started casually shaking off its last paint drops on the canvas of the sky we waved goodbye, each one of our spirits boosted and each one of our hearts full to overflowing with gratitude for this wonderful country, this beautiful place, this magical time, the gift of this day. 

 And we were all reminded once again that where we are is home ...