Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!

I took off yesterday to start the turkey day cooking frenzy a little early. For the last few several years my mom has made the bird and the stuffing and a veggie usually, while I cook the rest of the meal and bring it over to my parents' house. Brendan was supposed to have a half day of school and I was hoping to get as much done in the few hours he was there, but resurgent pinkeye intervened and I had lots of "help". Actually, he really was helpful with some of the cooking. He can peel potatoes and sweet potatoes pretty well and loved mashing and stirring. He also loves using measuring cups and spoons. I made our old standards of mashed taters, stuffed artichokes and corn and broccoli pudding. This year I tried three new recipes, for maple mashed sweet potatoes, a crustless pumpkin pie and a chocolate velvet pie and I was hoping for success. I did get the cooking and baking done by early afternoon and Brendan wanted to know why we weren't eating it all for dinner and seemed a bit put off that we did all that work and wouldn't try any of it until the next day, although I knew he probably wouldn't eat anything of what we made except maybe the chocolate pie.





This morning Brendan woke me with a bright and happy Thanksgiving greeting and immediately donned his pilgrim hat from school. Instead of his usual microwave pancakes or cereal, I asked him if he wanted eggs and he very excitedly told me "yes Mommy, yes I would love some scrambled eggs and some whole wheat toast, oh yes", lol.



We went over to my parents about 12:30, fighting the rains and wind from our current nor'easter. Brendan was very excited to present his "Thankful Turkey he made at school" to Grandma and Grandpa.



Before dinner, or lunch as Brendan insisted on calling it since we ate around 3:00, Brendan reveled in all the adult attention while wolfing down chips and dip, and I really enjoyed being with family I don't get to see that often, catching up and having some good adult conversation.



The turkey was nice and juicy, the maple sweet potatoes were a hit, and everyone ate until they were full to bursting. Brendan actually gave in and took a bite of the sweet potatoes and the mashed potatoes (yes, I have the only child who doesn't like mashed potatoes) but it was Grandma's stuffing that was the big draw for him.

The pies went over well. The chocolate velvet pie was universally agreed upon to be sinfully decadent.



The crustless pumpkin pie, which I had decided to try this year since it's more heart healthy and my uncle had a heart attack in the summer, didn't try since I'm not a pumpkin person, everyone liked, but everyone who did try it felt that without the crust the consistency was a little less moist than usual. I am definitely going to keep the velvet pie in my repertoire but will look for a different pumpkin pie for next year. After dessert, Brendan asked when we'd be having dinner, I guess our Thanksgiving "lunch" being a warm-up for him.

We stayed until about 7:00, just having a good time being with the people we love. I am very thankful to have this wonderful child who I love so much, and for my family and friends.



Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!!!!!