Day 28 - I'm Turkey'd Out

It's official, I'm sick of turkey. How can that be, Thanksgiving was just yesterday?

Well, I'll tell you.... after gorging on the feast for lunch with the family yesterday, naturally the only logical thing to have for dinner later that evening was the ever-traditional Turkey Sandwich. I'm my house, we grew up eating it in layers of turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, salt & pepper and a smear of mayo. Sounds good doesn't it?

Well it sounds good, unless you had it last night for dinner, today as your lunch, then again tonight for dinner. Each time it was a small sandwich, on a leftover roll from The Feast, but still. So, needless to say, if I as much as hear a mere "Gobble Gobble" from someone, I just might be sick.

I would hate to waste the remaining leftovers, so I may be serving some form of turkey again tomorrow for lunch. Although, I might put the energy into changing things up a bit, and serve it hot with gravy and some leftover mashed potatoes. By then, my family will REALLY be sick of the bird 'ya think?

Are you turkey'd out yet?

I'm not complaining about the leftover dessert though am I? Funny how that happens....

Day 26 - Ready For The Big Day

Turkey in the brine - check
Stuffing ready to stuff - check
Set the Table - check
Drinks chilled - check
Misc lists - check
Alarm set for 6:00 am - check

Well, it's official. I'm ready for guests to arrive with arms full of dinner accompaniments tomorrow for Thanksgiving. I'm already salivating.

Carter made a cute little turkey at school that is proudly displayed on the dinner table (pic above). This, I'm sure, will become a yearly staple at the Thanksgiving table. My husband's turkey from about 2nd grade still makes an appearance at his Mom's table too. It's what us Mothers are all about...

We're ready for the big day - have a terrific holiday with your families!

Day 22 - Happy Thanksgiving!

A day late, but no less thankful for this special day! Mary Jane & John put a lot of effort into a delicious meal and they were gracious hosts as usual! John cooked the turkey on the grill rotisserie after soaking it in a Trader Joe's brine for 2 days. It was SO tasty! Everything that accompanied the bird was checked off the list of our family's traditional 'must haves' for a Thanksgiving Meal. Mmmmm!

We felt well enough to attend dinner, but it was an early night for us when we arrived home. Me and the kids were in our beds by 8:15, while Tom stayed up to watch the Colts game. I had the game on in my room as background noise, but don't remember much of it. I do remember how terrible Bryant & Cris were at calling the game though. I hope never to endure that commentating AGAIN!

Hope your Thanksgiving was everything and MORE! :)

Day 18 - Tree lighting, Thanksgiving chat & pictures

Last night, we had our our town's annual Tree Lighting ceremony. It was so Norman Rockwell - we loved it! The cherry on top would have been a sprinkling of snowflakes - but we were pretty close to perfect last night without them. In the center of town, there is a tree that gets donated and decorated right in the middle of the intersection. Zionsville's quaint brick streets and boutiques line the Main Street, and some shops stayed open late for the festivities. The town crier said a few words after Mrs. Claus arrived on a local fire truck, and we all gathered around the tree and counted backward from 10 to light the tree. After the children give their letters to Mrs. Claus to bring back to Santa, we participated in the organized scavenger hunt. There is a sheet of clues, and the answers are posted on the doors and windows of the shops along Main Street. So we take our time to walk up and down, gathering our answers and then turn in our paper at The Brick Street Inn. That's where they held a drawing for a special toy and announce the winner after Mrs. Claus has read the children a story. The Inn was collecting canned goods as well, and the children got an extra ticket for the drawing if they brought something in. We brought soup.

It was a lot of fun, and a tradition we are keeping as a family. It's so nice to run into friends and neighbors in the middle of it all. Each of us sharing a night with our families, creating memories. Doesn't it just make you all warm and fuzzy?

Ok, snap out of it. Now it's the countdown - Thanksgiving is in a mere few days. Carter has school only Monday and Tuesday of this week. Boy Scout popcorn just arrived, so we have to pick that up Tuesday night and figure out when to deliver it (probably attempt this weekend). Can you believe Carter sold $495 worth of popcorn? He was such a doll selling it too. Wednesday evening I'll go to Mom's house and we'll make our family recipe stuffing and a batch of Grammy's Surprise to share. Even though we'll be a guest at our cousins Mary Jane & John's home for Thanksgiving dinner, we always make our own 10 pound turkey to enjoy sandwiches etc. over the extended weekend. Mom brought back Bell's Stuffing and Seasoning from her last trip to Boston, so that we could enjoy our New England tastes so nostalgic to us, now that we're here in Indy. Last year I think we had to order it online because our grocer did not carry it. The Grammy's Surprise is a holiday dessert tradition we've had as far back as I can recall, and it hails from my great grandmother. She always brought it to our dinners, then my Nana would make it, and now the rest of us down the tree branches always have to make it. My mouth is already watering!

Ok, I'll leave you with a couple of pictures from last night.... enjoy!