This may not be a celebration for the Island of Sodor, however; some of the friends who live in the International boarding house came from the states. Rosie also came from the states and wanted to celebrate an American Holiday on the homestead. Is everyone on board with this Idea? Let us find out, shall we?

I do not own Thomas the Tank engine and Friends they are owned by the following.

Thomas The Tank engine & Friends

By the Rev W Awdry.

Developed by Britt Alcroft

Owned by Mattel

Other Characters owned by Pinkninjaprime and blackboard26

Thanksgiving on the homestead.

It has been a few days since Thomas, his friends, and sister Ariel managed to bring home the cows on their cattle drive. With the days growing shorter and snow had already appeared to many parts on the Island of Sodor. Thomas, Rosie and Ariel are in the dining hall to discuss about a topic that is dear to Rosie's heart. It was about an American holiday that takes place this time of year and it was thanksgiving, the day where everyone gathers around a feast to commemorate all that took place through out the year. Giving thanks for working with family, friends and those who helped along the way after many years of services the former Sudirna engines did for their fellow countrymen. The issue about thanksgiving, it is a holiday not known on the Island of Sodor, so they asked for the controller some time off to prepare for this feast and Sir Topham Hat allowed, in return that he and his family are invited to the feast. Thomas Rosie, and Ariel agreed. Thomas Rosie and Ariel know there are two who are living in the International boarding house, since Vinnie got expelled and had returned to the states after his dramatics a few weeks back. The three decided to invite Sam and Hank over for the Thanksgiving celebrations, they also know that there will be others on the homestead and at the international boarding house who may want to come but may not know how to be part of the festivities. Thomas and Rosie decided to hand out surveys during their lunch hour in school to their fellow students how they had felt for a Celebration of Thanksgiving after they were given the clear by Lucile Hat the head master of the high school. They also asked for her to allow them time off since in the states there was no school on the American Thanksgiving celebration nor the day after which is called black Friday that starts off the holiday rush for Christmas. When the school day was over, they decided to collect the surveys and see who would want to take part in the Thanksgiving celebrations to their surprise most of their friends even from the International boarding house want to take part in the Thanksgiving celebration. Then Thomas, Rosie and Ariel decided to meet up with everyone about what Thanksgiving is about, and what people did to make it a memorable holiday for everyone. Then as Thomas, Rosie and Ariel gathered around the lounge area of the dining hall, their friends Edward, Henry, Emily, Percy, and Polly came in to find ways to bring a Thanksgiving celebration to the homestead on Sodor. James, Jessica, Jasper and Molly also came in to discuss about taking part in the thanksgiving celebrations since Jasper came from the states also can bring some of his most cherished Thanksgivings, he had witnessed during his younger engine days.

Japser. "Hello everyone, just came is to see where we can offer our hand in this Thanksgiving celebrations, I have lots of stories over the years about Thanksgiving. Heartwarming too."

Jessica. "I remember some of them, and I loved spending Thanksgiving with Jasper back then, and now we get to share it with my twin brother James."

James. "But what is it about Thanksgiving that makes it so special, although I do not mind if there was going to be a feast after it was said and done."

Rosie. "It is more than just a feast James, it is more of reflecting all that took place during this past year, that had led up to this moment in time."

Jasper. "It is also a way to let everyone know what we all are thank full for, whether it is that we are just together with family and friends. Or just be thank full to be alive and able to continue with life, and maybe to share some sense generosity to those who are not as fortunate as we are."

James. "I know what I am thankful for and that is to share such moments with my sister and my lovely Molly by my side of the table."

Molly. "Be careful that you do not become my first course mister, so I shall have to eat you up tonight." That got James's heart throbbing.

James. "Ooh, you are just gone a have to wait until I am totally done my dear, I could have some red spots left." Everyone laughed at their play.

Molly. "Maybe I like my portions a bit red sweetie." The rest heard that and could not help but be impressed about the passions between Molly and James then Thomas spoke up.

Thomas. (Chuckled) "Alright talk about what portions you may want later, right now we need to find out how to make this thanksgiving work on the homestead." That turned James and Molly back to face their friends, so they can take part in the celebrations.

Percy. "So, what do people in the states do to make it a memorable Thanksgiving? I mean it has to be more than just a turkey and side dishes to eat."

Jasper. "Usually it is bringing out the traditions of thanks giving, such as who gets to make what for the feast whether it is the main course like the turkey as the primary focus of the feast, sides such as mashed potatoes, and sweet potatoes in the oven. A type of breading you can stuff the inside of the bird called stuffing that consists of toasted bread cubes or my favorite cornbread stuffing the unsweetened type, seasoned up by an herb called sage and possible Rosemary. There is another dish known as green bean casserole it uses either a package of frozen or canned green beans, with some cream of mushroom soup and some French-fried onions used to coat and give flavor to the dish. Then someone can make some wonderful dinner rolls and possibly come up with a pumpkin pie to become our traditional desert. That is what most of American households usually make for Thanksgiving, however, some will provide something extra besides the meal such as snacks to help tidy some of the hungry visitors while there may be some time left before the dinner can take place. Like plating up some cookies and other snacks such as tree nuts or dishes filled with candy and other treats."

Rosie. "Thomas and I also researched what else could be part of the main dish besides turkey, such as a venison roast, and some whole smoked salmon that we have plenty of, along with all the canned smoked salmon we can use to make spreads and have some crackers available for our guests." Then Donald, Douglas, Oliver, Duck and Nia came in at that point.

Oliver. "Hello everyone, have we missed much?"

Emily. "Not much just what items that each of us can make for the thanksgiving feast this Thursday, either it can be a food item or something else."

Donald. "Can it be anything Emily, does it really have to be a food item?"

Douglas. "Aye that is right, we can find something else we can provide since Donald and I are not very good at cooking."

Thomas. "Did you two have something in mind that you want to contribute to this meal?"

Donald. "May be one thing Thomas. Do you have anything planned on how to serve your guests when they arrive?"

Thomas. "I did plan to head over to the shopping center and find a nice-looking platters to serve the venison and the turkey on. Why did you and your brother decided to come up with something or so?"

Douglas. "You might say that Thomas. That is if it was ok with you that we do things in that workshop before the meal Thomas?"

Thomas. "It is alright for what you and Donald have planned for the dinner with everyone here, then go ahead." Then Donald and Douglas left for a special project for the meal and headed for the lumber yard to find what they are looking for. Back in the dining hall everyone decided what they wanted to contribute to the meal but not before knowing how many there is to feed. They all realized they will be needing three turkeys, two roasts and a whole smoked large salmon for the feast, Thomas and Edward will oversee the salmon while Rosie and Emily will take part in preparing a beef roasts and the venison roast. Jasper and Jessica will be in charge in making the turkeys and the stuffing for the birds knowing that guts of the bird help make the gravy, so he along with James and Molly will help in their dormer kitchen that has more than enough stoves for the turkeys to be made. That is when Gordon Scott, Rebecca and Ryan came in to see what they can do for the feast.

Scott. "We came in to see where we can be of help Thomas?"

Thomas. "So far we are discussing on who will be making what for the thanksgiving feast, so far Edward and I are going to make a huge smoked salmon for the feast, while Rosie and Emily plan to make the two different roasts, while James, Jessica, Jasper and Molly will be in charge of cooking up the turkeys."

Rebecca. "Oh, what else is there to make? Will there be more to make for this Thanksgiving that you are proposing this Thursday Thomas?"

Rosie. "So far, we have some sides items to make and other things such as pumpkin pies, and diner rolls. Also, some mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes, not to mention someone may have to make the Green bean casserole and cornbread stuffing. Some of us would like for someone to make other edibles like cookies, and other treats for our guests." That is when Hank and Sam came in with Ashima and Gina who wanted to take part in the cooking of the meal.

Hank. "Cannot have a feast without my favorite compliment of the meal, that wholesome pumpkin pies and wonderful cookies to help tidy the hunger a bit but not completely." Everyone could not help how much Hank loved the thanksgiving traditions with Jasper.

Gina. (speaks with an Italian Accent) "I believe Ashima and I can help out with the side dishes, we have looked up what is used during thanksgiving time. I can come up with some fudge squares as a treat dish along with some cookies like chocolate chip and peanut butter cookie kisses."

Ashima. "I can also help out with the side dishes, such as the mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, and the green bean casserole."

Ryan. "Would you like some help with that Ashima, I may not know much around the kitchen, but I am willing to learn."

Rebecca. "I can come along too, I do not mind helping out."

Ashima. "The more the better, we just have to assign ourselves on what dish we are making."

Thomas decided to make a list of what each person is supposed to make and gave them the instructions on how much to make each dish. "Here this is how many are coming over for Thanksgiving, the controller and his family are coming so that is a family of 5 we have the Earl coming over which makes him the sixth guest on our list of visitors. Then we have our friends from school which makes 7 of them including their families. Then our crews and their families are coming over, along with Farmer Mc Call, and farmer Trotter, and finally The Billintons and the Harkmans are coming over so we have to make enough for all our guests to the homestead." That was when the controller came in and heard of the huge list of people that are coming over to the homestead for their thanksgiving celebration.

Gordon. "Wow Thomas, I did not know we have so much to have to share with all of those who we made contact with this year."

Rosie. "After all that we have gathered this year, we still have the six turkeys we have to slaughter for to cook up for the feast."

Scott. "I thought you only had two turkeys how did you acquire four more?"

Thomas. "One of the farmers on the other side of the Island had a good number of turkeys from his breeding stock and had too many for him to handle so he gave us the other four. This allowed for us to have enough turkeys for this feast and more in case we have more visitors than we expected to have." That is when the controller provides a solution to Thomas's growing list of visitors to the homestead.

STH. "Thomas would it be alright if I offered some help for your arrangements to your thanksgiving arrangements?" Thomas investigated his boss and gave an approval for his offer to help.

Thomas. "Thank you, sir, maybe if we can find way to work this out, then we can make this our best attempt for a thanksgiving on the Island of sodor." Then it was arranged, everyone got their instructions of what to do for the thanksgiving celebrations.

Thomas also had another thing he wanted to get ready for thanksgiving, and that is to finish an open sleigh ride through the snow covered back country behind the homestead that leads out to the open range now empty of the herd of cattle obstructed the winter wonderland views of Sodor. He was just about to enter the workshop when he spotted Donald and Douglas with their project for the dinner. "hey, you two, starting to work on that special project of yours?"

Douglas. "Aye that be right Thomas, what are you up to now?"

Thomas. "I am just finishing up on this horse drawn sleigh I plan to use when our visitors come want to see this place now that there is snow on the ground."

Donald. "OOH ack, you do not say. Well best be with you Thomas, if we finish this project would you like a hand with that?" Then Edward came over to help Thomas finish with his sleigh project, just as Donald had his question answered.

Edward. "Sorry you two, Thomas had already asked me for help. You can finish with your project while we continue with our project alright?" The twins and the friends agreed to work on their individual projects.

Douglas. "Maybe when we are finish why don't we help paint the darn thing in holiday colors, now that will be a grand treat."

Thomas. Smiled as he returned with a friendly chuckle. "We will see you two, good luck." And with that the friends continued with their projects. Thomas and Edward were now lifting a heavy wooden seating box over a set of metal skis that the main body of the sleigh will rest on while it was now being screwed into place and now is secured before they decided to give the sleight a nice black undercoat to allow the red and gold paint to be applied to the sleigh. As they did so they were watched by the former number 5 on how much he missed his old livery while working as the engine. Thomas was the first to noticed this. "What is the matter James, missing your engine side's livery?"

James. "Oh, don't mind me Thomas, the paint reminds me of my engine self and hopes to get a chance to ride in it one day."

Edward. "Do not feel too bad James, I am sure you can manage back to your engine side again one day. Would you like to help finish the paint work on the sleigh?" Delighted James came over took off his coat and put on some red overalls and decided to help his two friends finish painting the sleight in festive colors.

On the other side of the workshop Donald and Douglas had the right kinds of woods they wanted to make a mobile cutting block to help bring a good number of dishes to and from the dining hall kitchen in one try.

Douglas. "How big are we gonna make it Donnie?"

Donald thought as he spoke out. "I believe it should be at least two by three feet in design with wheels on the bottom and a cutting board top to carve up larger cuts of meat before serving on the table now wouldn't that be nice Douggie?" Then Douglas had brought up another idea of what to make as good.

Douglas. "How about we use some of the wood into wooden platters for food services, now wouldn't that be something Donnie."

Donald. "Great Idea brother let us get to work." That is what they did. First, they cut the lumber into two-inch strips for the top and decided to glue the pieces into a 2 by 3 cutting board before they placed two or three pipe clamps to secure them until the glue sets. Then they got to work on the main body of the cutting block, first they cut the lumber to size before laying down two long boards on the work bench before pocket drilling the two long ends into a corner edge. They were 2 ft high with a foot and 2 in and ΒΌ for the inside cross beam. Then fasten the two legs together with the pocket hole jig to help secure the one side of the cart together. Then continued working by giving it a drawer space to store away the serving set along with the carving knives and forks. Under the drawer was one of the shelves to hold more food as it rolls across the rooms. On top of the block Donald and Douglas finally managed to sand and shape the cutting board top before securing it to the top and decided to make a branding on the far upper left corner with a number 1 hot iron, to let everyone know who this mobile cart belongs to, both Donald and Douglas are now pleased they are in making such a craft for their number 1 friend on his first Thanksgiving on the homestead.

Outside Thomas Edward and James are now finished with the sleigh and are ready to bring Tick and Tock over to test out the new sleigh before they declared it safe to use.

James. "Do you think this will allow for everyone a chance to ride down to the feeding fields at this time of year?"

Thomas. "I do not believe it could hold everyone, so I can imagine bringing about a few rides up and down the trails until everyone had a chance of riding behind a two-horse open sleigh."

Edward. "You mean a one-horse open sleigh Thomas?"

Thomas. "No, I do mean a two-horse open sleigh since both Tick and Tock are going to team up pulling the sleigh down the trails to the open range." With Donald and Douglas finished with their projects including the wooden serving platters, have now joined Thomas Edward and James as they finished hooking up Tick and Tock to the sleigh for a test ride.

Donald. "Ooh Thomas, look at this. You three did a wonder on this sleigh wouldn't you agree Dougie?"

Douglas. "Aye and look this ride looks ready to go, would you three minds if we take this ride with you lot?" The three looked to each other before they heard another two voices from behind them.

"". "Hey, you lot, you men are not going out there with out us are you now?" The boys had to laugh before Thomas could answer.

Thomas. "If you want Rosie, you can come with me while you Molly can ride with James alright?"

Molly and Rosie smiles before she answers back to Thomas. "Alright Thomas, look out Mr. James Hughes, I am coming along on this ride." James just laughed before he can answer to her back.

James. "Well come this way my lady and we are off on this wonderful wintery wonderland on the homestead." With everyone on board the sleigh, Thomas and Rosie in front controlling the two animals in charge of pulling the sleigh. Behind them is James and Molly cuddling for warmth and comfort, Donald and Douglas were facing them while Edward was in the next to Douglas. Then with the crack of the reins the sleigh was off and down the wintery trails on the homestead. As they traveled down the pathways, they can see how beautiful the landscapes had become. Covered in a blanket of white as they rode past the wooded area before checking where the watering spots are and can see they are now covered with ice that gave Donald and Douglas an Idea for when the ice it thicker.

Douglas. "Say Donnie, how about when the season becomes colder and the ice thicker then we can learn how to play Hockey, how about that brother?"

Donald. "Fine by me Dougie, then maybe we should look around for some ice skates and pucks and sticks to play the game."

James. "If you two manage to put together a Hockey team then count me in, just as soon I can learn how to skate on the open ice."

Thomas. "How about making a Christmas list, or we can make a secret Santa by placing names in a hat, you can buy presents that we cannot make on the homestead, but if you end up picking the name from the hat you will need to make something that cannot be bought from a market or shopping center for a gift. Now how about that for our first Christmas this year?" Everyone looked to each other and decided that could be a fun thing to do, while it can be best to pick something up for the holidays it is also wonderfully warm about offering a gift that cannot be bought in a shopping center or in market and agreed with Thomas about a secret Santa.

Edward. "Now that sounds like fun Thomas, when should we know when to draw names from a hat?"

Thomas. "During the Thanksgiving dinner, where just before we have our pumpkin pie, we plan to use an extra top hat that the controller is no longer using to pass around with names on folded paper in the hat for each and everyone of us will have to pick. Once we get that name than that is who we need to think of what to make or give for their holiday gift." Everyone liked that idea and believed it could be a wonderful way to see if they know their friends and family enough to know what they could possibly want or need for Christmas.

Over in the dining hall Henry, Emily, Gordon, and Rebecca decided what they should make for the Holiday dinner. They realized that if the dinner was going to be successful then there should be enough for everyone to gather around the dinner table or tables. The dining hall have two tables that seat up to eight to twelve each. They have decided to make round tables to seat as many in one room and the largest room in the dining hall is the ball room that has not been used yet until now. The room is big enough to seat the many guests that are coming over, and there on the other side of the room is where a fireplace hearth will help make the setting perfect. After building the tables and the banquette tables where the food it to be served from. And now the room has about 20 round tables, one bar area only supplied with soft drinks coffee and selected teas for everyone on the homestead. The lounge area is also a place of gathering so this place is where most of their guests will find entertainment while dinner is to be prepared for the feast.

Rebecca. "This Dining hall is getting busier and busier, and just think we had the Halloween party not too long ago that was just enough for regular dining room. Now that we have a huge banquette for the number of people who are coming over, the best way is to use the ball room it is huge enough for everyone who are coming."

Emily. "This is the room we have not use yet, we were hoping to use this room for special occasions. I guest the Thanksgiving dinner is considered a special occasion, so I say this is a good call."

Henry. "I just hope we can pull off something this huge, I just wonder what the controller plans of helping us out on?"

Gordon. "After hearing about how many people are coming over, he is allowing for some special cooks and servers to help us make the dinner since this is our first time making a feast that could be fit for a king." Then Ryan came over to lend a hand and is now glad to be part of something this great.

Ryan. "So, shall we get to work on making this room into something great?"

"". "We can help too." The friends turned around and spotted Oliver, Duck Nia, Polly Percy, Toby and Mavis to lend their hands to get the room ready for the Thanksgiving celebrations.

Emily. "Come on everyone we have a dinner to get ready for, tomorrow is when we start our festive magic." Then everyone got to work while staring in from the outside of the dining hall three Diesel teens could not help but feel disgusted about how they were found out about their drinking habits and now blames the homesteaders for snitching on him and his companions.

Diesel. "Oh, those steamies are going to pay for snitching on me about what I do after school."

Arry. "How are you going to do that Diesel, they are going to have a large feast and even the controller is coming over and is helping make this- this- What is it again?"
Diesel. "They called it Thanksgiving, it is a holiday that is more known in the states than here. I say we ruin their plans of Thanksgiving by paying back on their fun."

Bert. "Are you nuts, they already got us for drinking under age, they had warned us if we messed up again then we will not be able to continue on with school. I really want to return to the rails, how are we going to if we cannot handle pressures after school."

Diesel. "I have heard what the controller and the headmaster had told us I have not gone deaf. Thomas and his fellow homesteaders are going to pay for their snitching over our choice of leisure." It was from that moment that Oliver had heard what Diesel and the smelter twins were talking about and decided to confront the three about their so-called actions.

Oliver. "Hey, you three, no one said you cannot enjoy life after school, we had to let the fire marshal know what had started the coal seam fire last week. None of us knew you were drinking beer until Duck remembered watching you three while riding home from his job."

Diesel. "Duck should have kept his quackers shut, it is none of his business of what I do after school."

Thomas and his party of friends returned after their first sleigh ride after it was declared a success had started to hear the argument between the Diesel teens with Oliver. They quickly tied up Tick and Tock in the barn shed before Thomas and his friends returned their attention back to the argument before it gets too ugly. Duck Gordon and the others inside of the dining hall also heard the arguments out side and decided to head out to the noise before they can finally have everything ready the next day.

Oliver. "Seriously we had to let that fire marshal know what had possible started that fires since one of the rules on the homestead is that no one under the age of 21 can drink a drop of alcohol. And none of us had not started drinking anything that bad."

Diesel. "I am going to let you know what will be bad, if you ever try and snitch on us again, I will seriously make sure you do not graduate from high school. Now how about that."

Thomas now stood up for his friend before anything could get bad. "How about you and your friends leave now while you still have a good name to yourself diesel. We are busy for our thanksgiving feast, and if you find you cannot control your habits Diesel then I suggest that you leave and not bother us again cause if you do, you and your friends will find yourself kicked out of school just like how Vinnie had been kicked out for his bad behavior to our friend Caitlin weeks ago. I have to warn you I do not want to use deadly force, but I will if it means for you to leave without violence breaking out." That got Arry and Bert scared about Thomas and his friends using a possibility of using deadly force since they know how to use guns for self-defense and decided to walk out with their friend in tow.

Arry. "Let us get out of here Diesel, it makes no sense to stay when they know how to use self-defense."

Bert. "Come on let us get out of here, besides if we get caught then we are out of school and are unable to return to the rails." Then the twins left leaving only diesel alone with the rest of the homesteaders.

Diesel. "Get back here you lot, we need to teach these homesteaders a lesion." That is when the controller came over to see how Thomas and the other are coming along with their preparations as he heard what Diesel said to Arry and Bert as they left the area.

STH. "What kind of lesion are you talking about diesel?" That got Diesel attention and redirected his gauze to the controller. "Does any of this had anything to do about your drinking young man?"

Diesel. "Uh, oh. Well you see."

STh. "Enough Diesel, you have caused your own problems not Thomas nor his friends and Sister. It was a choice you had made on your own, and Thomas was concerned on who caused the seam fire last week that could have made his homestead go up in flames and he and the others not to mentioned everyone who happens to be homesteaders in this area can have a home to call to. That fire could have allowed for a lot more than Thomas and his friends and only sister out of a home they have worked on since earlier this summer." Diesel realized his lack of consideration almost let more than the former steam engine homeless but everyone else in the area.

Diesel. "Yes sir, Sorry sir."

STH. "For right now I want you to return at the smelters house, then we shall be discussing if you should remain in school, or should I pull you out due to your lack of judgement on how to properly behave around your fellow students. Do I make myself clear?"

Diesel. "Yes Sir." And with that Diesel got on his bike and peddled back to the smelters house before the controller returned his attention to the homesteaders on the scene.

STH. "Has he been here long to cause trouble?"

Oliver. "No, but I over heard that he wanted to get back at us for letting the fire marshal about the beer bottle from last week."

Thomas. "We just returned from the trails after taking the new sleigh out for a test run, then heard the arguments and decided to confront who was here and decided to stand up for Oliver to make sure nothing bad will come out from it."

STH. "Was he alone when made that commitment?"

Oliver. "No Arry and Bert were also here, but the two decided to leave after learning how Thomas suggested they leave before Thomas and the others decide to use some force as a last resort of course."

STH. "At least I do not have to worry about those two, Diesel on the other hand has gotten himself into more trouble now that he can travel beyond the tracks. At the rate that Diesel is going, I doubt that he will make it back to the rail if he wants to graduate when school is over for him."

Thomas. "Well anyways, we all have things to do if we want our own Thanksgiving to happened on the homestead then we all should get back to work. I just have to return Tick and Tock back to the paddock until tomorrow."

Edward. "The rest of us shall help out arranging the dining hall for the dinner tomorrow, let us go everyone that show is over." Then everyone got back to work preparing the dining hall ball room, while Thomas and Rosie decided to return Tick and Tock to the paddock after taking the harnesses off. Then the two returned to the dining hall to help.

The following day it was Thursday and that means that it is their Thanksgiving on their homestead. Thomas and Rosie started their Holiday meal by finding the items they plan to prepare. Thomas found the Salmon he wanted to use, it was the one he and Oliver managed to fish up before the cattle drive last week. It was kept in the freezer until now. The salmon was already gutted and is now ready to be placed in a brine that will allow the flavors to swirl around the fish as it is smoked in the hoop house smoker. Inside the dormers James, Jessica, Jasper, and Molly was about to fix up the turkeys that Thomas had to take out the day before, Three for Thanks giving while the other three are kept for Christmas. They were about to fixed them up just before the controller in to introduce the young people to the cooks that are here help instructed the group on how to properly prepare and cook the turkeys until they are done since none of them have cooked a turkey before.

Rosie and Emily are busy on their roasts to make for the meal, Emily was working on the beef roast while Rosie manage to make a venison roast with a sage and onion stuffing that was laid over the roast that was cut open before the whole thing became a rolled venison roast just as Rosie had finished tying up the roll before placing it in a Dutch oven with a liquid broth on the bottom with some basic vegetables that will add flavor to the roast before placing it in the oven.

Over by the Pizzeria Gina and Ashima are at work preparing the side dishes and with the appearance of another cook to help the two how to prepare the dishes since they have no experience of thanks giving meals. Much to Ashima and Gina amusement they are glad for the help.

In the workshop Donald and Douglas had finally found the right time to bring their new item on the homestead to present before the meal. Then the two noticed that Percy is weaving some roots to make some baskets to use around the dinner tables. He was just on the last one when he noticed Donald and Douglas after he was finished with the last one.

Percy. "Hey Donald Hello Douglas what do you think about these baskets I have complete for dinner tonight?"

Donald. "They look just as great as this mobile cutting block Douggie and me made yesterday right brother."

Douglas. 'That is right, nice baskets. When did you start learning how to weave like that Percy?"

Percy. "I had learned how to weave by watching one of Thomas's neighbors shown me how to use small long roots to make woven materials and baskets. I have started to make these last week and now they are finished. Why don't we bring all that we did together for the dinner tonight?"

Douglas. "Now that is a plan right Donnie?"

Donald. "Come one, we will present our gifts together." Then all three and Polly who was there with them decided to join up with everyone to the dining hall.

Soon everyone began to show up at the dining hall with their dishes to lay around the dining hall ball room that is about to get a lot crowed before long. Thomas Oliver and duck decided to place a podium and a sound system before the fireplace hearth on a platform before the ball room. Gordon, Scott, Ryan and Rebecca had started to arrange the seating and placed the table cloths over the rounded tables and vacuumed up the area of the dust and lose material before their first guest to arrive. Gina and Ashima were the first to arrive with their promised dishes with the cooks who came along to help bring the many pans filled up with sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes and the Green bean casseroles that are stored in the hot boxes that was already available at the pizzeria. Thomas and Edward were next to bring in their smell so good smoked salmon and had brought over the canned smoked salmon that Rosie had asked for him to bring to make her smoked salmon spread for the guests who are lounging in the lounge area. Then Emily and Molly helped bring out some tad bit trays to help ease the hunger pains of their guests they laid out platters of fruit trays and assorted vegetables and tree nuts for those who want a snack. Then James, Jessica, Jasper and Henry helped bring in the turkeys that are now done and ready to serve but not until their guests are to arrive. Then their friends from the International boarding house came in, like Sam, Hank, Carlos, Rajiv, Raul, Ivan, Etienne, Frieda Axel, Shane Young bao and Ho megh entered just as Thomas and Edward finished with harnessing Tick and Tock before their first travelers to their wintery wonderland on the homestead began.

Thomas. "Alright everyone, as you can see, we do not have that much room on the sleigh, so, we are going to allow for a few of you to ride with us down the trails to the feeding range. Do not worry, our cows and herds are away for the season, so it will be alright to venture down while it is still day light out." Then everyone took turns on the wonderful sleigh ride through the back country of Sodor. Everyone had a wonderful time. After the rides were over, it was time to greet everyone else who had arrived including the Billintons and the Harkmans with Chad and Sally with baby Carter that appears to be more alert and decided to join up with the families to see how everything was after their last meeting with the new family on Sodor. "Hello everyone. Hello Carter, remember me?" Little Carter looked into Thomas's eyes and could not help but to smile at a familiar friendly face and that melted Thomas's heart when he sees this, and Rosie came over after witnessing little Carter smiling at her boyfriend at a glance.

Rosie. "Hello everyone, hello Carter, I see you remember Thomas, he and I remember you very well too little one." Thomas asked Chad and Sally if he can pick up little carter and agreed for him to handle their baby to their friend.

Sally. "Of course, Thomas and Rosie, Carter seems to remember you two very well." Then Thomas remembered how to handle Carter and picked up the baby and little carter felt happier to be in the hands of a fun person.

It was now that everything between Chad and Sally is starting to come together for the two, and now they were glad to ask the help they needed. Even Sally's father is more accepting of his grandson after realization of what could have happened if he let his one daughter be left defenseless without the comfort of a real home. The engine crews and their families were next to arrive, and Gavin and Marvin came over to their young friends who are now enjoying life now that they are not tied to the rails. Everyone was having a great time, then their classmates and their families and the two farmers came in just as the Earl was finally able to show up. Now everything was ready for the feast but not before Thomas also asked for Arry Bert and Diesel and the local Vicar to help address the meal in a voice of prayers.

The Vicar. "Everyone may we gather in a spirit of prayer before we address our meal tonight." Then everyone sat at their place of seating, just as Thomas and the others sat at the head table where the podium stands right next to it for everyone to make their speech of what they are most grateful for. Then everyone held their hands together just as the Vicar started the prayer. "Dear lord, we have gathered around this time of Thanksgiving after a gift of the Island had provide a celebration to be made possible, because of his devotion to his fellow Islanders, he had made this feast possible with the help of his family and friends who had helped him and those around him throughout this past year after their miracles this year. May you keep your blessings on this kind and wonderful man who had provided so much in his short-humanized life, and to remind us how grateful we are that he the reason we are all here tonight. Amen."

Everyone else. "Amen."

The Vicar. "Would our host like to step up and let us know of what he is most grateful for?" Everyone waited for Thomas to stepped up to the podium to make what he is grateful from this past year.

Thomas. "Thank you everyone, First let me say how grateful I am to be part of this celebration tonight, I know that Thanksgiving is not normally known on Sodor. I just wanted for some of my friends who came from the United Stated to feel right at home even if it means to bring in one of their holidays to the homestead and I chose Thanksgiving since so many of us here on the homestead have so much to be thankful for. I am grateful to have the many friends who came along with me after my girlfriend Rosie and I started on this humanized adventure together unexpectedly of course. But through it all, we had a hand from everyone to helped us, who are in this hall and My friends Sister and I would like to take this time to say thank every one of you who stepped up and helped us understand what all takes place in the human world, and we are all grateful that you had not given up on us since not an engine could ever to know what life is like as a human until now. I especially like to thank our controller Sir Topham Hat who helped played a huge role on how we managed to come so far from his really useful engines to becoming an influential group of resourceful and dedicated humans we all have become since our humanization. Thank you."

Sir Topham Hat just could not help but be touched by his former number one on how much Thomas and the others have learned since becoming human and decided to come up to Thomas and decided to give his former Number 1 engine a hug knowing how much he means to the controller. "Thomas I am so glad you had this planned tonight, and I cannot help but feel so proud of how you, your sister and friends have turned out since becoming human. To me you are not just another person on the Island you are like a son to me along with everyone else here before me who just happens to be an extension of my actual family." Then he and Thomas shared and emotional hug just as the rest of Thomas's friends and sister came over and gave the controller a huge group hug that Lady Hat and the Earl just had to take a picture of to mark this special occasion.

The diner was a success and soon everyone was having a good time while Thomas and Rosie could not help but feel the joy and amusement of all that had taken place, knowing there could be many more days like this as long they keep their spirits up and to know they can have a wonderful life on the homestead. Then Thomas and the others turned to the rest of us before he made a final speech.

Thomas. "To Everyone who live in the States, this is from all of us from the Island of Sodor, from our families to yours. (Along with his friends and sister) HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!"

Come back next time to see what Donald and Douglas are going to try since they cannot be plowing the snow like they used to, they will find other ways to help clear away the snow from the roads of Sodor. Next time on The Journey Through Northwestern High school.