Giving Thanks!

I've been on a little "blogger vacation" but will attempt in the next few days to catch you up on November happenings.

Our Thanksgiving was a very nice quiet day with Brett, Esther, Moira, Audrey, Isabel, and Maeve.

I think this photo of Isabel and Maeve sitting in front of the oven watching the turkey roast is my favorite! Such anticipation!

Actually Brett and Mo joined me in the kitchen on Wednesday for food prep and pie making. Loved their help! Then Thursday morning Brett, Mo, and Audrey came early. Everyone had jobs to do! I put Brett on the turkey. It was great to have him do the lifting! We made a compound butter with fresh herbs, salt and pepper that he rubbed on the skin, then stuffed the cavity with more fresh herbs, whole carrots, celery and onion. Layed it on a "rack" of whole carrots, celery and onion, poured a couple of cans of broth around and put it in oven at 500 degrees for 15 minutes. Then took it out to tent with foil and roast at 325 until timer said it was at 166 internal temp. Didn't open the oven until the last 30 minutes or so to remove foil. Juicy and moist. Perfect!

Mo was eager to learn some knife skills with my sharp chef's knife. She did a great job making a veggie plate and trimming the fresh green beans. Audrey was a little sous chef too! I don't know who enjoys these times more, the girls or me. They are so eager to learn to cook!

Ah, we're ready to eat!

Faces of contentment.

We played lots of games. In the kitchen we could hear Papa and Isabel downstairs, hoopin' and hollerin' over their games of Sorry and Crazy Eights. The adults wrapped up the evening playing Contract Gin. Rich won!

It was a great two days (actually, three days, if you count Friday Left-overs!) to enjoy each other's company and remember all the things we are thankful for.