come on home.

lunch at noon. hayride at dark.

you're welcome anytime.

come on home.

these three lines are always at the end of the postcard my parents send each year to family and friends inviting them to our annual thanksgiving on the farm.

simplicity at it's finest.

for twenty-two years Thanksgiving for a lot of people has been at the Davis home place & farm...our house.
it's our holiday. our favorite holiday.

it trumps christmas. it's what we look forward to.

for those of you who didn't grow up with me or aren't family members, you surely do not grasp the meaning of "home" that is synonymous with our house. this actually deserves a post of it's own, for another time, but to sum it up:

my mom has raised more than 4 children in that house. the kitchen table is sacred and thankfully can't talk. anyone is welcome, anytime...and they know it. there are more surprise visitors than planned. many of our friends and family members consider our house home although they've never "lived" there. all a tribute to mom and dad; their big hearts, open minds and selflessness.

so THIS is why I am excited about a week from today...

lunch on our front porch with 20-30ish family & friends

followed by front porch time, naps and catching up.

while carloads of cousins & friends arrive throughout the afternoon.

a hayride at dark with 75+ folks...

family and friends. friends of family. family of friends

led on the tractor by mr. dock.

lots of singing.

everything from the beverly hillbillies theme song to jingle bells

lots of excited children. as many excited adults.

getting stuck in a creek or up a hill has become an unofficial tradition...but is highly anticipated and is fantastic entertainment.

finally reaching our destination: the bonfire

(which is usually one flame away from a forest fire, compliments of Pyro Dock)

more chatting. lots of laughing.

smores & hot chocolate. and adult bevs, too.

then...

the thankful circle

my mama's favorite part.

where you hear a child you've never met say they're just thankful for being able to be a part of "someone's family" tonight

.
where you watch grown men cry as they explain how important this tradition is for their family

where you feel a mama's heart leap when her stubborn teenager delivers the most thoughtful and honest take of what he's most thankful for

.
where you see four generations of our family (and as many friends) side by side under a star-studded Georgia sky, just being

simplicity at it's finest.

the thankful circle ends as we all sing that sweet old hymn,

'blessed be the tie that binds'

with muddy shoes and marshmallows in our hair

we head back to the house for leftovers

...we all hug a little tighter.

and are reminded why we have this tradition.

and by the way...

you, too,

are welcome anytime.