Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving

I'm back!  It's been a busy few of weeks, and blogging has once again taken a back seat to life.  Also, while I'm making excuses, I dropped the camera and it now needs to be replaced.  The retractable lens is crooked and no longer retracts.  All I can get the camera to do is tell me there is a lens error.  So, I'm in the market for a new camera, but, in the meantime, I've borrowed my mom's, so I can share a few pictures today.

We are geared up and ready to host the big event tomorrow.  We will be 22 for dinner, 26 or more for dessert.  The house is clean and the tables are set.  We've got to split people into two rooms- the kitchen and dining room.  I dream of opening up the dining room to the living room some day so we can have one long table, but until then...

I've brought in a few bits of the outdoors to provide some simple decoration.




There is a 29 1/2 pound turkey in the refrigerator.  It fits in the oven.  I checked.  According to a calculator on Butterball.com, it will take 4 1/2 to 5 hours to cook the turkey, unstuffed.  We want to take it out at 1:30 to eat at 2, so I guess I'm going to put it in at 8:30...? 

Here's what's on our menu.  It should be noted that I'm only responsible for the first four items, and my sister is doing me a huge favor by cutting the five pounds of carrots.  Everyone comes together to make this delicious feast!

Turkey
Cornbread and Sausage Stuffing
Carrots with Shallots, Sage and Thyme
Roasted Butternut Squash
Green Beans
Roasted Brussel Sprouts
Mashed Potatoes
Sweet Potatoes
Biscuits and rolls
Cranberry Sauce and Gravy
Apple Pie
Pecan Pie
Pumpkin Cheesecake with a Gingersnap Crust
Nantucket Cranberry Pie

For me, Thanksgiving is all about the stuffing.  And the family togetherness.  But the stuffing is so good.  I should make it more than once a year.  I don't know why I don't.

What's your favorite part of Thanksgiving?  What's on your menu?

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday!  And, if you're heading out on Black Friday, good luck and be careful.  I'm more of a Cyber Monday girl.  I'll be hanging out at home, making turkey stock on Friday.

2 comments:

Tortla Dot said...

I am thankful for your GoodBetterNest Blog! Thanksgiving at your house sounds delicious and It must have been great fun. I know because I called at dessert time and talked to your sister, The Cutter of Carrots. Pity I hadn't read this earlier. I would have asked if her hands were still orange.
I will soon head out this Black Friday morning wearing something black and a smile for finally making the decision on my I'm-sticking-with-bisque-appliances purchase. But first I'll head to the gym pool, life is good. In good health it is even better.

Tortla Dot said...

Forgot to say that your table setting and decor were quite handsome!