Thanksgiving

Well how was your Thanksgiving?  Ours was a lot of fun.   I laid in bed last night with my body aching from standing on a brick floor all day cooking, and all I could think of was my Mom.  She has us all over for large meals frequently.  It is a LOT of work to prepare big meals like this.   But even though I know that it will mean some achy bones at the end of the day, it is so worth it.  I feel so fortunate to have this family to cook for.   I didn't take too many pictures, but I took a few along the way of my cooking.  I got up at 6:00 and got busy straight away in the kitchen, coffee in hand.  First, the macaroni and cheese.  My Mom always makes this!!  The kids love it, and  it is my son Drew's favorite!!  You can't really tell what it is here.  Just looks like a huge pan of cheese!

Next up, brussel sprouts.  I usually roast mine in the oven with just a drizzle of olive oil and sea salt and cracked pepper.  But when I was talking to my Mom that morning, she was telling me about a recipe she was making for brussel sprouts that my sister in law Monica had found.   It sounded so good, so I did it too.  Although I didn't have all of the same herbs or the pine nuts, I used what I had.

Wash and prep veggies by removing the core ends.  Cut an x into root.  Place in large bag.  I poured 1/4 cup olive oil, juice of one lemon, one orange, fresh sage, fresh thyme, salt pepper,  and garlic.  Smoosh (is that a word?)  around so marinade goes to all pieces.   I put them in fridge til I roasted them.  I laid them in single layer on a cookie tray and sprinkled with parmesan cheese and sunflower seeds.  They were divine!
Now lets take a look at my kitchen.....

Next up....french cut green beans.

I cut up about 1/2 pound of bacon into pieces, and then when those were almost done, I added a diced onion.

Cook until onions are carmelized. Drain off the bacon grease.  Meanwhile I steamed the green beans in some chicken broth until just barely tender.  Drain beans, and add bacon and onions.  Toss, lightly season, and done.

 Oh my gosh, these beans are SO good!!!
Next up, prepping the bird.  I had an 18.5 pound turkey that I had defrosted in cold water the day before.  After washing and removing giblets and neck from cavities, pat dry with clean towels.   I rubbed butter all over outer surfaces and then squeezed the juices of several lemons and oranges over bird, and into cavities.   Liberally season with salt and pepper.  I stuff the cavity with citrus and garlic, and fresh herbs.  I pour a cup or so of chicken broth into the pan.

By now, my kitchen is a total disaster, and no one is even up but me!  Oh, Erika was up and at em'.  She went for a Turkey Trot with a friend.  A little 3.4 miler before the sun even came up!!
Time to make the stuffing.  I don't stuff the bird anymore.  I used a package of herbed stuffing mix.  I brown a pound of sausage, and saute an onion.   To the bread crumbs I add this mix of sausage.  I melted a cube of butter and add chicken broth to this.  And pour over bread crumbs.  Lots and lots of seasonings.  And then I add about 3 cups of chopped apples, plenty of fresh sage and salt and pepper.  Mix well.  It often needs a wee bit more broth added to mixture.  I pour into a greased baking dish and bake this off at the end.  I basted the bird about every hour.  By now the kitchen is smelling awfully good!

The kids started to arrive about 2.  I was done with all of my cooking and prep, with plenty of time for a shower.  It was a beautiful sunny California day.  High 70's, and perfect for an afternoon game of whiffle ball.

Christopher always makes his way over for a little visit.  He was pretty darned good with that bat!!  The kids had a ball playing outside and riding on their scooters. I love this picture of Claire with her smiling reflection also seen in the window.

I had to laugh because we cleaned off all of the patio spaces out back, knowing that it would be a nice sunny day to be outdoors, and they all congregated in the front!!!  Typical!

I wish my trash cans weren't out there!

I love this picture of my son Drew and his girlfriend Diana.  Drew had been growing a beard, and he shaved it off that morning!  I love to see his handsome face.  It is just like looking at my husband when he was that age!

 My daughter Gennifer had done a lot of cooking at her house.  She made a turkey, and a butternut squash puree that was TO DIE FOR!!  And she made a stuffing, and also the mashed potatoes!  All delicious!

We had to chuckle when Geeps went to carve the turkeys.  He had pulled up a video from his ipad and set it up in the kitchen to view as he sliced!

We sat down to a beautiful feast.  The food was delicious! 

Best of all though, were the people at our table.  Erika and Noah both said grace.  Oh how I wish we had taped it when Noah said his beautiful prayer!  Then we dug in!  And we went around the table, one by one, each person saying what they were particularly thankful for this year.  It was a perfect day!

After our meal, feeling stuffed to the gills, we decided to take a brisk walk around the block.  Which just so happens to be one mile. I know because I have tracked it when I jogged that route.  

The kiddos were excited to ride their scooters.

Darkness was just beginning to fall.  We gathered on the driveway. Eri stayed behind to tidy up a bit and get the coffee going for dessert.

After our walk, we were ready for pie.  Erika put a Christmas movie on for the kids in the den.

We relaxed and watched football, and movie trailers.  

It was truly a perfect day!!!

XO  Kris