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?