Wonderful time!

Had a wonderful thanksgiving with family this year.  It was so fun to anticipate the meal and all its various elements.  Once I decided on the recipes, it was hard to keep the list narrow - and not want to change.  For example, Sausage, Apple, Walnut Stuffing.  Why not pecans? pears?  Oh the questions that plague me...seriously not a big deal.  But I will admit the last minute additions of corn pudding and roasted sweet potatoes/carrots.  Yum-O as Rachel Ray says. 

This year I was thoroughly hungry for the meal.  Last time I cooked I felt way too tired to actually feel like eating!  I wonder how many others go through similar things as they prepare meals for their families.  

It was such fun to have my mom alongside - a woman very committed to good eats, knowledgeable of all things cooking-related (i.e., how do you make gravy?!).  What joy.  

Though our leftovers are smushed into plastic bags in the fridge - looking akin to those thanksgiving meals we'd get in elementary school - I know they were prepared with love. :-)  Leftovers aren't quite the same - but its great to know we have food for DAYS in there.

I hope everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving.  I'm still stuck in that mode - not quite ready to turn the page to Advent.  Spending a month reading everyone's thankfulness on Facebook - I hope the trend continues.  I hope we all remain mindful of the many blessings in our lives <3

Thanksgiving!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

A post of the recipes we used for Thanksgiving 2013!

Surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses from FN! :-D

Anne Burrell's recipes helped with the Turkey and Stuffing - Apple Cider style
Brined Herb-Crusted Turkey with Apple Cider Gravy
Sausage, Apple, and Walnut stuffing

Sides:
Alton Brown's famous Sweet Corn Bread Pudding
Country Living's Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Carrots
The Neely's "The Best" Mashed Potatoes
Paula's Strawberry Pretzel Salad
Rachel's Orange Scented Green Beans
Martha's Cranberry Pomegranate Sauce
Joanne's Sissy Mold
Joanne's Sweet Potato Casserole
Debra's Sourdough bread!
Mom's Wheat Rolls

Dessert!:
Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie