Thanksgiving Update

Well I have been told I need to post a Thanksgiving update..... You all are right!!!

We had a really great First Thanksgiving. After the Frozen Turkey Fiasco everything worked out really well. The turkey was a little dry, but not too bad. The atmosphere was awesome there was not one single drunken brawl, not even a mild argument in the house.

Every one brought their own brand of delish to the dinner.

My mom made, Sweet potatoe pies and ranch mashed potatoes they were soooo good.

Miss Cheva brought her famous Bread rolls they just melt in your mouth and they were the big hit during dinner, she also made my favorite green bean casserole, we can't forget her homemade strawberry jam, and everyones favorite deviled eggs.

Marisa brought the best desserts ever..... Carmel apple cheese cake with toffee bits, White Chocolate pumpkin cheese cake, a pumpkin pie and a carmel pecan apple pie. Her yams were really great also.

Oh and Justin made the White Punch:

2 containers frozen pineapple juice ( prepared as directed on can)

2 bottles sprite

1 container of peach sherbet

Mixed together well. ( this punch is yellow not white I don't know why they call it white punch)

We had a really good time and I felt sooo blessed to have every one in my home for this special day of giving thanks.

Miss Abi is in this photo and as you can see she does not have any signs of the Chicken Pox but I was sitting in the spot right next to her, for the whole afternoon. The next day she came over to let me me have a looksee and she was definitely covered in the Chicken Pox. Poor Girl is just miserable today, she even has them in her mouth..... My kids were immunized against the chicken pox when they were born but not since then and the vaccine only lasts 7 years. If I count it right about the time our 14th anniversary rolls around the kids will be breaking out with the pox if they are going to get it. BGAWK.... BGAWK..... BGAWK..... BGAWK

Avoiding disaster?

Well it is Thanksgiving Day, and I am blogging for therapy.

This year I get to host my very first Thanksgiving Dinner in almost 14 yrs. of marriage. I am so excited I can barely contain myself. Many of you know I am seasoned in the kitchen. Not much throws me, I know how to deal with just about every kind of kitchen disaster and fix it without freaking out too much.

On monday I decided I better make sure that I had every thing that I needed. Plates, cups etc...
Well upon counting my 2 sets of every day dishes I came up with a total of 10 dinner plates. Pretty good if you are only having 10 people over...... We are having about 12 adults and 4 children so this clearly is not going to work. So I rush on down to the nearest walmart and buy myself 12 openstock clear glass plates. Disaster averted right..... Next come the glasses, I counted these at the same time as the plates. and came up with the fact that I only have McDonalds/ Disney Land Commemorative glasses and not nearly enough of them any way so I now also need glasses. I opted for a case of 12 wine party glasses from the party store. Yea disaster averted again right....
Now in my mental inventory I am taking stock of tablecloths. No, I do not have even one that is not a plastic disposable one, that isn't in a color fit for a mexican fiesta. Do you have any idea how expensive a table cloth can be? Frankly they are outrageous. I finally found 2 vinyl table cloths that will do, not my first choice but.....

Now as far as food goes I know what I am doing I am not bragging just stating the facts.
1. I have catered events for upwards of 200 people.
2. I have done international luncheons with so many different dishes it was mind boggling.
3. the Kitchen is where I am most comfortable.

AS far as the menu goes I decided that I could not do it all by myself this year, financially, time wise etc... So I am having the rest of the family bring side dishes and I am concentrating on a few main things. Turkey, Gravy, Stuffing, Appetizers and Beverages.
Easy peasy melon squeezy right.....

So I have this brilliant idea, I am going to buy a fresh turkey to avoid having to thaw it for days on end. Unlike those people I saw at Harmon's yesterday at 3pm buying a frozen solid turkey. I am being proactive in avoiding Thanksgiving disasters. I bought my fresh turkey on saturday of last week fresh not frozen and I put it in the fridge out in the shed. Great turkey is just hanging out in the fridge, waiting until I decide to pull it out and cook it up. I am so calm, not nervous in the least bit, I got all of my appetizers done last night.

Just for reference I made dates stuffed with blue cheese and wrapped in bacon, Stuffed mushrooms, Mini Quiches (frozen store bought) and mini deli spirals (frozen store bought).

Now fast forward to 6 am this morning.
It is dark and cold outside and it is raining. I had to go outside to the fridge in the shed to get my fresh turkey... I didn't want to go out there. My dog even refused to go out. I get to the fridge and open it up to find my turkey almost frozen solid. What!!!!!! Frozen????? Are you kidding me????? well as we speak my turkey is sitting in a tub of hot water thawing. I am just hoping that it is not frozen all the way to the core. I have to have dinner on the table at 1 p.m. today. That means that no later than 7:45 a.m. My turkey needs to be in the roaster oven. I guess that is what I get for making fun of those people who bought frozen turkeys last night and are standing there with their blow dryer stuck up the back end of their turkey.

Well I am off to get my turkey a roasting. I have less than 10 minutes to get it in.....
I will update later if anything interesting comes up.
Please, Lord......

I'm so THANKFUL....

It's time for my Happy Thanksgiving post.

Here are a few things I am thankful for:

My Savior
My wonderful husband
My sweet kids
My new home
My extended family
All of my wonderful friends
My church family
My car
My school room
My garage
The abundance of food in my fridge and pantry
My washer and dryer
My dishwasher
My computer
Books
Costco (yes, costco I just found out they have vanilla beans 10 for $11.99)
Another day to spend with my family
The sunshine
My citizenship
Birds
Dragonflies (they are pretty and they eat mosquitoes!)

These are just a few of the things I am thankful for. I could probably go on all day but I think I better spare you.
However to wrap things up here is a Thanksgiving Blessing you may or may not have heard before.

May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey be plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have never a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!!!!