Family and Food

I am taking a break from chronic TV-watching at my grandmother's place and am hanging out at the Crookston Public Library. I thought I would quickly share some of the pictures from what has been, quite possibly, the most fabulous Thanksgiving ever!

While in medical school, I've been fortunate to have been able to come up to northern MN for the past few Thanksgivings to spend time with my Dad's extended family. Before that time, Thanksgiving was always celebrated with just my parents and sister in whatever location we were in at the time! This year, for the first time, there was a grand merging of the families, which made for a fantastic time of fellowship at Maple Lake with lots of Arnesses :) My parents and sister flew in from northern Virginia on Wednesday and I drove up from Rochester to the town of Crookston, MN, where my grandmother lives. On Thursday, we drove the 30 miles or so to Mentor, MN, where Duane and Marilyn have a beautiful lake cabin. It can sleep about 17 people and also has about 5 ovens, which were well-used for the feast we had of all the usual Thanksgiving goodies (my personal favorite is stuffing, or "dressing" as it is sometimes around here!). Enjoy the pictures!!

This is my wonderful great-uncle Duane (the host) and me

Sisters, reunited :)
Mom (with the maltese pup, Sophie) and Amy

Wild turkey, courtesy of Richard-- He is a BIG hunter!!

One of the surprise beverage-attractions for the night was mangosteen (sp?) juice. Mangosteen was one of the exotic fruits we enjoyed while in Thailand, but now they make this juice which is purported to cure all aches and pains. Vanessa is taking the mangosteen "shots" a bit too far.

We finally convinced my grandma that no, this was not an alcoholic beverage despite our pouring it into shot glasses, and she relented to try some. Dyno is making fun of the "drinking" going on :) Marilyn is on the far right.

Vanessa and Jacky (the actress of the Arness family-- she will surely be famous someday!). Note the ex-spy Arness downing something in the background... I swear we are not alcoholics.

Vanessa with Sophie

Can you tell we're big dog-lovers? Me with Cocoa and Sophie
This is a picture of all the "kids." I think this might be my last year of being included in this category. I joked that, next year, I would not respond to "Tara" but only to "Dr. Arness" :) Left to right: Alex, Derek, Jacky, me, Vanessa


At my grandma's insistence, we spent most of Friday shopping at Columbia Mall in Grand Forks. Unlike most places on "Black Friday," the mall in Grand Forks wasn't too crazy. My sis and I both came away with a couple of nice things. We then went to eat at the Royal Fork, a family Friday tradition, before coming home.

Today, we plan to go out to dinner with Bill and Carol Heimer, my sister's godparents and friends of my Dad/grandma from Fisher (where he grew up). We all disperse again tomorrow. :( It's been SOOOOO relaxing being up here with everyone.