Yesterday was Thanksgiving (and let's not forget, it was also the first day of a four day weekend. I love those). J and I, without even planning it, managed to do the same thing we did last year. We decided at the last minute that we needed to get out of the house for a little while so we went to Garden Grille for dinner. Last year it was a little later when we got there and we were two of about ten people there. It was quiet and wonderful and just what we needed. This year the place was completely packed when we got there. We got the last booth in the back and managed to have a sweet, quiet night together despite everything going on around us. I think we may have started a tradition of sorts.
This year we got home and started prepping for Thanksgiving dinner. Why we didn't do this last year, I have no idea! I made my praline pecan pumpkin pie while J prepped a ton of stuff to get a jump on the morning's schedule. Last year I was completely blown away by what a whirlwind he is in the kitchen. He had every inch of stove and oven working for him as he prepared an amazing meal that could have fed the whole neighborhood! Our prep night was a ton of fun complete with eating too many of the pralined pecans, and impromptu vegan stuffing prep after realizing we'd bought the wrong kind at the store, and a nice waltz break in the middle of the kitchen to a song that came on the radio during green bean trimming.
We shaved a few hours off the Thanksgiving morning kitchen activities, which was wonderful. And, once again, J was a force to be reckoned with in the kitchen. Some of my favorite dishes are his lemony red pepper green beans with walnuts, coconut milk sweet potatoes with ginger, mushroom gravy, vegan stuffing (possibly the best I've ever had, and it was made from some italian bread and wheat bread we found in the kitchen the night before), and the pull apart rolls. I made roasted brussels with walnuts and vegan mashed potatoes, and his dad made a huge bowl of mashed potatoes for the non-vegans and his pretty-much-famous citrusy cranberry sauce. J also makes turkey, gravy and stuffing for the meat eaters in the family, which is pretty much everyone but us. He really is an incredible cook and he puts together one delicious Thanksgiving feast.
After dinner we pretty much all sat around the fire and watch The Godfather 2 while fighting to stay awake.
Ah, Thanksgiving.
But, in all honesty, the best part is having everyone together for the day. I have much to be thankful for and I truly am so appreciative every day for all the wonderful people in my life. I love the holiday season so very much and it always goes by so fast. This year, especially with it being the last one with us being an immediate family of two (plus three dog-kids), we have lots we want to fit in, including lots of time with family (parents, siblings, sis-in-law and little nephew), and some new family xmas traditions of our own to start.
Tomorrow my mom and dad are coming up for a visit. We're taking all the parents to the indoor farmer's market in the morning for some shopping, including the crafty fun spots for xmas gifts. Then we're picking up some pizzas, and J's uncle, and meeting my brother, sister-in-law and little nephew at the house for a little gender reveal party!
Yay! I love family fun times.
