Thankful
I had lots to be thankful for yesterday.
Like the GM, hot tea, and two strong legs that allowed me to run a Turkey Day 10K.
They weren’t messing around with that race course — it was a LOT of uphill but we made it in a solid 59:03.
I was thanful to spend the afternoon with Joey’s amazing family and to see Joey carve his first turkey.
Sadly this is the only picture I have from Thanksgiving Meal #1 because you know what? I just wanted to enjoy the afternoon without having to pause for pictures. It was so worth it.
Around 4:30 we headed over to Thanksgiving #2 at my parents’ place.
I kind of wanted to be basted like the turkey — I was SO cold from walking outside.
Even though I’m not a huge fan of turkey I have to admit that was one good looking bird!
While all this was in the oven…
An intense photo shoot was going on.
Then eating commenced. I was more than ready for round 2.
This sweet potato casserole was AWESOME, REALLY. I made it for both meals but I think it turned out better the second time because it had longer to bake and the crust hardened better.
BEST.STUFFING.EVER. If you’re one of those stuffing dislikers you just haven’t had the right kind. My mom uses my grandma’s recipe so it’s cajun and involves shrimp and chayote squash (which is a pain to find every year but SO worth it). I dream about this stuffing all year.
Everyone digged the green bean casserole too and I was pretty proud of my ability to cook the beans to the perfect degree of soft/crunchy.
Had some of everything and deemed the sweet potato casserole and the stuffing the best dishes.
Wine and pie x2 also ended up in my stomach.
Afterwards me and the neph chilled out on the couch.
Whoa, either it was hot or someone had had a little too much wine. I assure you it’s the former.
My nephew even learned to use our camera.
I think he has a future in photography. But I’m pretty sure Joey does not have one in modeling.
I sincerely hope you all had a happy and filling Thanksgiving and for any crazies out there, Happy Black Friday 😛
Bake Fest
Helllloooo!
Tuesday night/Wednesday = Thanksgiving Bake Fest.
After a fabulous dinner & a not so fabulous episode of Glee (anyone agree?) I got some cooking prep out of the way. This Thanksgiving I was in charge of 2 sweet potato casseroles, 1 green bean casserole and Beanie and I were in charge of 3 pies.
This Ain’t Grandma’s Sweet Potato Casserole (compliments of Angela).
These pictures were taken pre-baking the casserole by the way. Joey was my taste-tester and said the mashed sweet potatoes were “pretty much the best thing ever.”
All that’s left is the baking portion of the dish so I took it over to my parents’ so they can bake it during the day on Thanksgiving since I won’t be coming over till right before we eat.
I still have to cook one more sweet potato casserole (one for Joey’s T-Day and one for my family’s T-Day) but the potatoes are already peeled and chopped up.
And while I had the cutting board out I figured I’d prep tonight’s Minnestrone Soup.
And heck, why not wash and cut up the green beans for green bean casserole too?
Whew, it felt good to have all that chopping out of the way.
On Wednesday morning up was up and at ’em early so Beanie and I could get 3 pies baked before our lunch date with our dad.
I chugged down a GM (made with 2T of peanut butter) before heading over.
I felt like I was drinking a peanut butter shake!
Then it was on to the pies. Fresh pumpkin ❤
Bean pie?
Not quite. We pre-baked the pumpkin pie crusts and you use the beans to keep the crust from puffing up.
Okay, this looks a lot better!
Pie #1 = dairy free pumpkin
Pie #2 = apple butter pumpkin pie (recipe coming soon depending on how it tastes…)
Pie #3 = apple pie
Lunch break!
Taking a cooking break to sip hot tea and listen to Christmas jams.
By the time this post goes up it will be Thursday so have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING, FRIENDS!! May it be filled with family, fun and GOOD FOOD 🙂
White Chocolate
Slept in till 9 this morning. That’s what late night bingo will do to a girl. Didn’t win bingo but I did receive a coupon for a free pitcher of beer for entering the joke telling contest.
Why can’t your nose be 12 inches long?
Because then it would be a foot!
Hardy har har. Thank you, Laffy Taffy for writing awesomely horrible jokes on your candy packages.
All jokes aside I woke up with a very serious white chocolate craving so atop the oats they went!
Also in the mix:
- a whole banana (because I have wayyy too many and need to use them up fast!)
- 1/3 cup rolled oats
- 2T homemade Scottish oats (blended steel cut oats)
- 1/3 cup almond milk
- 3/4 cup water
- pepitas (pumpkin seeds for some crunch)
- 2t peanut butter
The peanut butter and white chocolate chips were nice and melty. OH.YUM.
Peppermint on the side. Did you know I hate matching my plate/bowl and mug colors? It’s true but I’m not exactly sure why.
Last night Joey picked up our packets for the Anthem Turkey Day 10K on Thanksgiving morning and I was pretty excited about some of the goodies we got.
I love this granola!
One free week of unlimited classes at CorePower Yoga which is literally 5 minutes from where I live and I’ve been meaning to look up class schedules there.
Joey isn’t much into yoga so he’s giving up his pass to Beanie and we’re already planning on going tomorrow!
I think these bibs are too cute. We haven’t gotten our shirts yet but I’m hoping it has these funny turkeys on it too 😛
Also picked up an earwarmer/headband for the race since it’s a predicted high of 30*. Eeek!
Lunch involved lots of leftovers.
Black bean soup. And whoa, I did not realize this picture was so blurry until just now!
Plus half and sandwich and some fries which were leftover from date night at Watercourse Foods in Denver.
It’s a vegetarian restaurant with super clean and healthy tasting food. I got “The Champ” — Freshly baked foccacia bread with layers of roasted beets, red onions, grilled zucchini, sprouts, swiss cheese, and lemon caper aioli — and loved it!
Fries were dipped in ketchup of course.
Lunch success.
Dinner is cooking away in the crockpot and I’m expecting company for Glee 🙂
Happy Wednesday 😀
Lauren Loves Good Food 