Thanksgiving 2010!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! 

We just got back from an eating extravaganza at my parent's house!  We had a ton of food, and my parents even set us up with a couple boxes of leftovers! 

Here's just a quick run down of this year's events:

My mom's really cute centerpiece.

The free-range bird in all it's 25 lb. glory.  It was a pretty huge bird... you can see it hardly even fits into the roasting pan!

 The spread of side dishes consisted of mashed potatoes, corn, green bean casserole, roasted artichokes, fresh made rolls, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce (yes from the can!), and gravy!  We also had a crap load of dessert dishes that included a peppermint meringue chocolate cake (made by moi!), pumpkin pie, apple pie, a variety of cheesecakes, a variety of chocolates, and brownies.  So needless to say, no one went hungry!

We like the dark meat in our family!  My sister was definitely in touch with her carnal side and opted for a leg piece!

 Just a couple candid shots of my sisters... you can tell my sister Frances (on the left edge) is really classy, hehe.

Now she looks more civilized

Thanksgiving was a huge success.  This was also Andy's parent's 3rd visit to our Thanksgiving and we definitely love having them over!  It's great that both of our families can share in this holiday together!

The end of the night consisted of my mom bombarding us with deodorant (you have to know my mom because every time we come over it seems like she gives us TOTALLY random gifts), a big canister of popcorn, and a purse.  Talk about random things, but hey, at least she was concerned about our body odor!

If you celebrated Thanksgiving, how did it go?  Hope you have full bellies and if you're going out in the madness for Black Friday (I am NOT), be careful and be safe!

And I definitely want to make sure you guys know that you are one of the many things I am thankful for today... and every day!

Being Thankful

November is that time of the year, at least in the U.S., where families start to put their heads together and decide who's having Thanksgiving, Christmas, and what all is going to go down.

Thanksgiving has always been one of those holidays that I hold very special.  Of course, the major consumption of food is amazing, but the feeling of being together with my family (especially when these things just DON'T happen), is what puts great excitement in my heart.

And it's odd that we save a holiday for giving thanks for things we love.  We should always be thankful for them, and not take them for granted.  So today, I thought I'd run through a few things that I'm truly thankful for...

My family.

They are cooky. They are crazy.  But they are my family. They have never let me down.  They've never disowned me, despite the many temper tantrums I've thrown throughout my years.  They love me and I equally love them back.

Andy.

Why wouldn't I be thankful for this goober?!  He's one of the most amazing people I have ever met (please don't let that go to your head, babe!) and I wouldn't be the person I am today without him.  And I'm glad we don't have our lives all mapped out, that we slowly live by the edge of our seats, and take every surprise that comes at us!  (And he's earned bonus points because I came home to a completely clean pantry and kitchen!)

Mocha & Zappa.

The dogs drive me nuts, but I love them.  I was never much of an animal person as a kid.  Dogs, specifically, always freaked me out.  So I suppose I deserve to have the most in-your-face, I want attention 24/7 kind of dogs.  I'm sure they've caused me to have high blood pressure at times, but I wouldn't trade them in for replacement dogs.  No way.

How could I not love a face like this?

My friends.

Every one of them is different in their own way.  Every one of them contribute to who I am in their own way.  And through everything we've been through (I mean, it's been 7 years since I graduated high school!), we still remain the same friends that we were from the get go.  And I hope that never changes.

I couldn't help but die from laughter after finding this picture: our homemade "flag" for Bonnaroo from 3 years ago!

The 3 amigos in New Orleans!

The bounty of unique food we get to enjoy.

I really am thankful to have experience food in such a different way.  I mean, not many 25 year old people can say that they've mastered cooking duck breasts, or say that they cook 90% of their meals instead of getting take-out.  Hell, I know grown adults that can't even say that!

And you guys!

Without you guys, I wouldn't smile after every blog post.  I wouldn't be posting these recipes on this blog.  I wouldn't be having fun.  You guys brighten up my day when I see comments flooded (okay, not flooded, but even 1 comment makes a difference in my day!) in my inbox.  So thank you guys for still sticking around and putting up with my goofy self!

What about you guys?  What are you thankful for?

Birthday Thanks!

I really feel special.  Much love goes out to everyone who wished me happy birthday and thought of me on that day.  It's really just another day, but I had so many people do so many kind things for me yesterday that I'm utterly shocked.

At work, they had cake and brownies!  It was actually a non-stressful day.  I don't know if it just seemed that way because I was in a good mood because it was my birthday, or if it was actually a slow day.  Either way, I didn't get yelled at by any irate customers, so that's a score!

Then my mom fixed me dinner.  The whole family even showed up (my grandma, my uncle and his wife, my sisters, etc.)  My mom really surprised me and made me steak AND lobster!  And she only bought lobster for me (because I'm the favorite daughter, DUH).  And of course, there was cake there, as well!

Andy was kinda bummed because he had class that night, he had to go because they were taking a mid-term.  I can't blame him for that anyway.  But a few weeks ago he bought me a little laptop (so that I could blog anywhere!)  And to top it all off... he went to our favorite bakery, Sweet Surrender, and had a cake made, of my favorite flavor... Tiramisu.  Isn't he sweet?  And of course, we'll go out to eat this weekend.  Where, I don't know, but I'm sure you all will hear about it soon!

So, it's really good to know that I haven't been such a terrible person, that people don't think of me on my birthday.  I think if that were the case, I'd be really depressed.  But instead, I'm quite happy to know that much love comes my way! 

Destination Weddings... Bringing Families Together... Literally.

Well, I figure my first non-fooded related post should have to be about our vacation.  I mean, I hardly talked about it in yesterday's post, so it's only fair, right?!  And especially since I can't resist showing you all how HOT I looked at the wedding... but not hotter than the bride, of course.  That would just be rude, right?  Right.

He's such a goober, but I love him =)

Anyway, we traveled 30+ hours roundtrip for this little shindig... that's more than 1 day's worth of driving!  Not fun... definitely next time we head to Florida, it will be via airplane... or teleport.  Whichever is cheaper.

But we went to Jensen Beach, Florida.  You don't know where that is, do you?  Nobody really did when I told them that that was where we were headed.  But basically, it's by Port St. Lucie, which is on the Atlantic coast and the practically the whole family rented out every condo from the River Palms Cottages.  Yeah, we owned the place for 3 days.  Labors and Farleys only.  It was sweet. 

The fishing dock that was basically right outside our condo

The property had starfruit growing in the trees!

Our first day there, we spent exploring our sights.  We ate at a little Cajun restaurant near the river and ventured over to the actual beach.  I'm a little weary of beaches sometimes, especially when there are high waves around.  It's kind of a personal issue, so maybe I won't talk about why just quite yet... maybe on November 13th.  We'll see.  Anyway... I digress.

the waves rolling in

So we went to the beach, built sandcastles, and headed out to a family dinner.  Not too shabby.

My sister Frances and her boyfriend Lonnie (who looks pretty goofy here)

Next day, the rehearsal day.  It was just about a 10 minute rehearsal, just to make sure everybody knew what they were doing for the big day.  Then for about 30 people, my brother did a 'Low Country Boil'... which is basically boiling a bunch of crab legs, corn cobs, potatoes, and shrimp and serving it on an open table.  Unique idea, and quite popular in Savannah, Georgia and coastal cities.   I love me some crab legs, so you know I was all for it!

I really only like this picture because it shows my tattoo =)

I knew where my spot was

And then, the big day.  10-10-10.  The Labor/Farley Wedding.  It was amazing.  The weather couldn't have been more perfect, I actually felt and looked like a girl (I clean up pretty nicely, I might add), and the bride and groom were all smiles all day.  And my family didn't act ridiculous or obnoxious.  Score, score, and score!

They're so perfect!

I like this because everybody is anxiously awaiting the bride!

I'm definitely ready for a drink at this point

Me, my sisters, my neice, and the bride & groom!

Their first dance... you can tell they're extremely happy!

Andy and I (this is the first time I've ever seen him in a tie in the 3 years we've been together!)

My cooky parents and my sisters!

Me and the bride

My brother!

I do!

Well, hope you guys enjoyed my vacation pictures!  And hope you like my new doses of something different!  Tomorrow's Friday so it'll be a recipe day and I've got a good one lined up!!