Happy Turkey Day! (posted by Ann)

I know you are working today, Lani, but I hope you get some Thanksgiving cheer somewhere along the way! We have a full house - Grandmother and Grandfather arrived Saturday, and Laurie and Alex arrived Tuesday. Things are rather busy (as an understatement).

Right now, Alex just got up from his nap and is running around sans pants playing with the dogs, Laurie just finished sewing a million sequins on his stocking, Dad is watching the game, and I have a full time job trying to keep Mom from cooking or cleaning every waking second. Don has retreated upstairs, and Steve is out trying to run away. I think he'll come back after he's logged 5 - 6 miles, but we'll see.

The turkey is in the oven, and I have to go flip it over. I did a new brine, with honey, garlic, thyme and of course salt, and I'm cooking it breast side down first. We have everything else ready until the last minute rush. Here's the menu:

Champagne and then Chardonnay
Roast turkey
Cornbread dressing
Gravy
Jellied cranberry sauce with pecans and celery
Green bean casserole (don't turn your nose up, I made fresh beans and from-scratch mushroom sauce, and I'll fry onion rings at the last minute to top it)
Mashed sweet potatoes topped with caramelized apples
Rolls

Followed by pumpkin pie, coconut custard pie, caramelized apples over ice cream, and coffee.

Followed by a nap.

Hope you at least get a cup of liquid cheer if you don't get homemade turkey and dressing. If the menu sounds good, come see us next year . . . .

Pictures to follow tomorrow.