Layered with love

My father, a former engineer, looks at the tape measure, scowls and keeps rolling the dough. My mother starts picking at it, which draws more scowling. There's a tension in the room. Perhaps the new dough recipe should have been tested before being handed the ball in such a big moment? After all, this is the Major Leagues of Thanksgiving. Most of the assembled party uses the arrival of Skylar, my 6-month old cousin, as an excuse to abandon the bickering in the kitchen.

By Charles J. Johnson, Tribune Newspapers

December 12, 2012