Thanksgiving

Ok, it's become clear that there just isn't enough time for me to keep this blog up as often as I would like.  There's just too much to do.  There are a ton of things I should be doing that are a lot more important that the blog, and I haven't had time for those either.  So, my suggestion is that you subscribe to this blog and then when when I do get a chance to post something, you'll receive it automatically.  That way you won't have to keep checking back every so often.

Jackson was saying "Happy Gobble Gobble Day" all day.

Anyway, here are a few pictures from our Thanksgiving.  This was out 1st Thanksgiving alone and in PA.  It was nice and quiet (as quiet as it gets with 2 small kids in a tiny condo).  The best part was that it snowed in the morning, then sleeted, then rained most of the rest of the day.  Nice and cold, the way T-giving is supposed to be.

I was also excitied to have a 100% original menu - all new dishes we've never had before.  I'm so tired of the exact same menu every single year. All good dishes, but my god, how many times can we have the same thing??

Appetizer: Pumpkin soup baked in the pumpkin.   Very good, but next time I'd put less butter and not make it so thick. 

Main Course:  Turkey roasted in normal spices and aromatics, but wrapped in bacon and resting on a bed of carrots, rutabegas, and celery.  I poured some apple cider and wine over the top at the start of the cooking process.  The turkey juices cooked those veggies and made them delicious.  Plus, now those vegied made an extra side dish.  The turkey was delicious - one of the best I've ever made (that wasn't smoked or brined).

Veggie: Mashed potatos mixed with some leftover mashed butternut squash.  Great.

Veggie: Bacon-braised green beens  -  good, but I'd alter the recipe next time to make it a little less heavy.

Side: Cranberry sauce - I usually make this but I added a couple of new things.  It was good, but I wouldn't add those things again next time. 

Side: Gravy - ok, but I made it with the turkey drippings, and since much of those drippings started as wine, it didn't have the right taste. 

Not everything was perfect, but all in all, it was a very successful dinner and everyone seemed to like it.  Jackson ate his weight in green beens.