The traditional Holiday feast is one of my favorite things, and something I will go to great lengths to enjoy. On the schedule for this Thanksgiving day was an 11:30 AM reservation for the buffet at the Courtyard at Crane restaurant at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel. The sky looked somewhat dreary today with intermittent rain mentioned in the forecast. I had prepared myself in advance for the possibility that the car might get wet, and that my world would not come to an end in the event such a catastrophe would occur. I'll be ok.

I passed by one of the many majestic Southern Live Oak trees that populate the island on my way to Crane Cottage.

I don't know how old this tree is. But it looks like it's been here for a while.

Giant Live Oak tree at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel.

Crane Cottage was built by Chicago businessman Richard T. Crane, Jr. in 1917. At the time of its construction, Crane Cottage was the largest and most expensive private cottage on the island and featured 20 bedrooms and 17 bathrooms. Today, the cottage serves as additional guest lodging for the Jekyll Island Club Hotel and houses the Courtyard at Crane restaurant. I was seated in the same room as last year and arrived early enough this year to have it all to myself. Let the feasting begin !

The buffet at the Courtyard at Crane was set up, literally, in the courtyard. Guests leaving the dining areas first encountered the bread table.

The soups were next in line.

The salad table was next.

The dessert table completed this side of the buffet.

In the other direction, diners encountered meats and cheeses first.

The next table had cold shrimp and crab legs.

Even more cold shrimp and crab legs.

I quickly became acquainted with the staff at the carving station.

Entrees and side dishes surrounded the fountain in the center of the courtyard.

Entrees and side dishes in the center of the courtyard.

Since this was a brunch, an omelette station was also available, (on the right side of the photo above).

I mentioned earlier that intermittent rain was in the forecast. Opening the skies periodically for a light and very brief rain shower was Mother Nature's way of keeping the staff on their toes.

The staff responded by scrambling to dry everything off and replace wet plates and serving utensils.

And all would be well for a little while, or until Mother Nature felt like seeing the staff panic again. But they did a great job and kept things flowing smoothly.

The meal was phenomenal, just like I expected, and just like it was at Christmas. While enjoying a meal by yourself may not be everyone's idea of what constitutes a "Holiday" celebration, it's what I do at this point in my life. And I enjoy it thoroughly. I hope everyone else had a wonderful Thanksgiving as well.