I was most thankful that the four of us were together at this special holiday where it's just about being together and not about all the "stuff". We had Luke's family join us this year... Nana, Grandpa, Emily and Tea made their way through the rain and were here during beautiful fall weather. The kiddos loved being together!!! Dress up, role playing and running through the house was the norm for sure.
We had a great walk on Thanksgiving Day (Luke is taking the picture because Grandpa couldn't miss the Lions vs Packers game - it's TRADITION!):
And then we came home to a super meal - if I do say so myself. I love cooking and making people feel comfortable in my house so hosting Luke's family was really nice for me.
The menu:
- Apple Cider Glazed Turkey
- Paula Dean's Traditional Dressing
- Bourbon Gravy (truly the best I have had, for brown gravy)
- Rosemary and Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
- Not-Your-Mama's-Green-Bean-Casserole by Alton Brown (Luke's favorite of the meal)
- Scalloped Potatoes
- Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows (it isn't Thanksgiving without this)
- Cranberry and Fig Compote
- Onion Rolls
- Red Velvet Cake (in honor of the Carter Family)
- Chocolate Pecan Tart
I have to say I cannot believe I coordinated it all, but I did and feel like a total woman because of it!!
I also got to use the Macdonell Family silver and it totally made my table look fantastic! I am so thankful to have something so special be a part of my future family traditions.
And it made my heart happy to feed the family! Per usual, my kids were CRAZY!!! I don't think they ate more than a spoonful of sweet potatoes, but the peanut butter sandwiches were a big hit a few hours later :)
I was very thankful to work off some of the engorgement by going on a mountain bike with Luke (and for the free-of-charge child care that comes along with family). He was very patient and encouraging and I felt like a real tough-girl. I know that many of you are true tough-girls, but I really did have a great time enjoying the physical exertion it took to move myself and my 10 year-old, no shock, Schwinn through the whoopdy doos.
And this is me back on the niiiice, downhill cruise to the car :)
On Saturday, we all went for a short hike up North Chickamauga Creek and the kids had a great time. Kestrel pushed the boundaries, per usual, and decided to walk directly into the creek shoes and all. I was thankful I brought an entire change of clothes and new shoes. I think she was thankful too!
Grandpa and Nana were the leaders in skippin' stones in the creek.
I think this is a terrific picture of Joyce!!!
It truly was a Thanksgiving to be thankful for!
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