This year the family decided we would have a “tradish” Thanksgiving dinner; that is, “tradish” for us. Brenda and Robin first soaked a twelve pound tom for twenty-four hours in a brine of water, salt, sugar and lots of herbs. When Steve arrived on Thanksgiving Day he started the coals and put that baby on the grill to roast.
Robin put a pan of carrots, onions and parsnips under the bird to catch the drippings that would later flavor the gravy.
In the meantime, Robin prepared Maple Glazed Sweet Potatoes with a Gastrique Topping
http://www.cookinglight.com/entertaining/holidays-occasions/best-thanksgiving-recipes/glazed-sweet-potatoes-maple-gastrique , green beans with chopped hazelnuts and cranberries, mashed white potatoes, her Autumn salad, stuffing in the slow cooker, and, of course, the awesome gravy.
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| Maple glazed Sweet Potatoes |
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| Savory stuffing |
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| Ready to carve |
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| Ready to eat |
For dessert: Steve’s Pumpkin Cheesecake with Robin’s Salted Caramel Sauce and my apple pie.
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| Pumpkin Cheesecake |
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| Apple Pie |
Brenda had decorated the table with her special flair. She loves autumnal colors so she has plates, napkins and runners that are perfect for the Thanksgiving meal. A low glass vase of deep red chrysanthemums completed the look. She has an artistic eye for tablescapes.
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| Brenda's tablescape |
Before we dug into the scrumptious meal Tony said grace and then we all went around the table saying what we were thankful for. I am especially thankful this year as all my three children are within easy driving distance. Steve is the farthest away, living in Antelope, a suburb of Roseville, about 2 hours away and Brenda and Robin are only ten minutes drive away. Emily, my granddaughter is still living in Washington D.C. so she is sorely missed. Lexi spent the day with her mother in Antelope but she and Emily will be here for Christmas. After dinner we Face Timed with my sister, Sue, and her family in Carlsbad. I miss my sis so much but I'll be spending a week with her and Martin in a couple of weeks.
Traditionally, the day after Thanksgiving we drive to Santa Cruz and load up on Dungeness crab and mussels for a shellfish feast but this year the crab season has been postponed. We headed to the coast anyway and took in the Beach Boardwalk.
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| To the beach! |
Steve, Robin, Ada, and Aiden were the ones that rode the rides. Brenda, Stephanie and I are not fans of the neck jerking, gut wrenching, twirling, diving, spinning, gravity defying rides so we are content to just watch. In horror. But everyone survived.
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| Ride that? Are you nuts? |
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| Ada and Robin had a blast riding the bumper cars. |
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| A little silliness makes the day even more fun. |
After a walk on the pier to check out the sea lions and seals, slumbering and swimming under the pier, we headed home to make Turkey Pot Pie and Turkey Shepard’s Pie for dinner.
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| Time to head home |
Saturday I took Ada and Aiden to see “The Good Dinosaur” while the rest of the clan went hiking. I enjoyed the movie as much as the kids! For dinner that night, what else? Turkey Soup, salad and bread. We polished off the desserts too. So another Thankgiving bites the dust and now it’s on to Christmas.
I’m not sure I’m ready just yet. I need to carve out some time in this busy season to think about the
reason for the season before I get in the mood to decorate, shop and think about the next big holiday meal.
