Sarah Nigbor

I haven’t had a true vacation in more than a year, and that was a tent camping vacation, so restful it was not. I think I came back from that more ragged and tired than when we left. This past Thanksgiving/deer hunting week, I did almost nothing work-related for four glorious days. However, I think I need a vacation from my vacation, so I’m pleased to be back to work where things are calmer.

When I’m not an editor/reporter, my title should be Family Activities Director. In those four days I crammed in as much holiday festivity as possible and did everything in my power to keep people entertained and off technology. When they weren’t deer hunting with Dad, they were kept busy being Sarah’s little elves. They are probably happy to be back at school.

Carolina went deer hunting with my husband Wednesday while I was at work and missed an opportunity to shoot her first deer. The allure of Grandma’s warm house and kitten were too great, and after an hour in the deer stand she scampered across the field to the beckoning kitchen lights. Right after she left, a buck and two does strolled across the field right past the stand. She was not happy.

I am someone who despises grocery shopping, so of course I left it until the last minute. Why that was a good idea I can’t fathom, because the grocery store was a nightmare the day before Thanksgiving. Shoppers wrestled their way through the aisles shoving potatoes, baking supplies and turkeys into their carts while I scolded myself for subjecting myself to such chaos. As my loaded cart broke into the fresh air outside, I rejoiced for having such a wretched chore off my to-do list. Until I remembered I forgot cinnamon. I couldn’t bear the thought of facing that again, so I sent my son Ethan to the store later. He loves any excuse to drive, so it was a win/win.

Thanksgiving I arose early to prepare my first turkey. My mother supervised as Carolina and I basted it with butter and herbs, stuffed it and placed it in the oven. I’m pleased to say dinner went off without a hitch and even my husband, who is a picky pants, complimented us on the delicious holiday spread. And a sidenote to the men out there: No woman wants to be compared to your mother or grandma and their cooking. Yes, they probably are the Julia Childs of northern Wisconsin, but be happy someone is cooking for you. Be even happier if it tastes good. I’m sure your grandma could make 25 different kinds of pie without a recipe with her eyes closed in one day, all while baling hay, scrubbing the floors, working a side job, milking the cows and raising 10 cherubic children, but I don’t care.

I am not a person who can sit still, so the while the Nigbor men snored through a mid-afternoon nap before heading out to the deer stand, Carolina, my mom and I cleaned and decorated the house for Christmas. This basically involved me decorating while Carolina ordered me where to put things. She is very particular.

The rest of the holiday weekend was spent butchering venison, baking cookies, Black Friday shopping, attending River Dazzle festivities, putting up our extensive Christmas village, picking out a Christmas tree, decorating said Christmas tree, wrapping presents, refereeing sibling arguments, cooking, and hosting people over. I’m sure I forgot something, but my brain is tired and the coffee is calling.

I hope you and your loved ones had a blessed Thanksgiving and a joyous start to the holiday season.