Thanksgiving has always been more of a Blackham side holiday. Pammy would go all out with decor and delicious fixings. Clay&Courtney's crew would alternate years with Courtney's side of the family. After Pammy's passing, we've alternated between C&C's house or hosting (and one year trying out the buffet at the Grand). This was a year C&C were with the Cullimore side, so we planned to have Thanksgiving at our house. Olivia, Ana and the boys joining. Missing Cal&Kate, in St. George with the Allens, and Colton at Haley's house.
Grayson actually started the day with a half-marathon. Not just a 5k Turkey Trot, but the full 13.1 miles. Usually he likes to rest a bit after (understandably) but today he got straight to work, getting turkey breasts, ham and prime rib on the smoker.
I'd made roll dough on Wednesday, and got rolls rolled out (orange and regular dinner rolls) and rising, the orange rolls baked (and iced). I'd prepped jello cubes and my
CoolWhip dessert on Wednesday too (I hadn't planned properly and had to have Cooper stop at the store to pick up said Cool Whip on the way home from work), and hard boiled some eggs, which I deviled Thursday morning. I peeled potatoes and Gray finished them up (he's got a process, boiled, then through the ricer, then whipped, lots of butter, yum!) Simple Stovetop Stuffing and basil carrots. There was even gravy (something we don't usually make just for us).
Cleared of the kitchen table ... we so seldom actually sit down and eat there. With the numbers we had (10) we set up another table in the family room. Note to self, keep some tablecloths on hand. I found a turquoise blue one which was better than nothing, but it didn't really scream "Thanksgiving" ... some candy corn and mini-pumpkins were our decor.
Olivia brought a cute turkey veggie tray and Ana brought drinks, a salad and some dessert. Landon brought some rolls and a pumpkin cheesecake that everyone raved over. Grayson complained a little, about how much prep goes into the feast prep for about 15 minutes of eating!
The food was yummy. The conversation plentiful. The television was on, football game playing. A couple card games after the dinner plates were cleared. We went with nice, but disposable, dishes, which cuts down on cleanup.
Prior to Thanksgiving, I had made the annual "Turkey Cookies" ...
... after dinner, everyone (sans Gray&Jen) went to a movie.
Predator:Badlands
(again ... the tree makes it look like a Christmas picture!)
... got a couple pictures from the "away kids" with their alternate family/feasts, although I joked with Colton that his looked more like Christmas pictures! Cal&Kate in St. George with her folks, Matt&Maci and Ben (and the three doggos). Colton in Lebanon/Oregon with his girlfriend's family.
What are you thankful for?
