Thanksgiving Past - 2009

Thanksgiving 2009

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My new dining room - it was hard, but the remodel we began in September was done before Thanksgiving.

Heehee - my niece and nephew!

So the most significant thing about last year's Thanksgiving is that the turkey came out RAW and frozen!  My father brought a stuffed deboned turkey down from Arkansas.  He stuffed it a few days before and froze it  so it would make the 8 hour trip.  We cooked and cooked and cooked the turkey.  I knew something was wrong when the temperature of the bird didn't even register on my digital thermometer.  Everyone kept insisting that my thermometer was broken or since it was stuffed the thermometer wasn't registering the temperature of the actual turkey meat.  Boy, were they WRONG!  

When my cousin cut into that bird, I started crying.  I could not compose myself.  So, they started putting the raw turkey in the microwave!  The rest of the food was really good, so there was something to eat.  And I didn't hear any stories of anyone getting sick.  It was also really nice that my father came into town and I got to spend the holiday with my brother and sister from Arkansas. 

We also got to go to the LSU/Arkansas game.  It was really fun being able to take my siblings (who have been raised in Arkansas with that sooo-eee pig pig thing) to Tiger Stadium - AND have them cheering for LSU.

The funniest part - Saturday evening, my husband and I went to heat up leftovers in the microwave and guess what we found....yes, a plate of that raw stuffed turkey!  Forgot to look in the microwave during clean up.

Linking up to a few Fall parties
Cottage & Vine - Falling Up - Linky Party

DIY Show Off

Somewhat Simple - Strut Your Stuff Thursday

Show and Tell Friday at Romantic Home

Hooked on Houses - Fall Open House

Home is Where My Story Begins

Favorite Things Friday

 Simply Sweet Home - Friday Favorites

Tablescaper

Eighteen25

Thanksgiving Past - 2008

Thanksgiving 2008


This was our first Thanksgiving at our house and our first Thanksgiving as a married couple. *smile*
Not sure if my husband realized I would want to take over hosting Thanksgiving after we got married.

 

 

My mother and I - look at my ugly red cabinets!  This reminds me that I need to do a post on my remodeling!


Since my house was terribly small - we served everyone outside. After the 2008 Thanksgiving, my husband FINALLY understood that we needed to remodel the enclosed garage.

I set up the buffet in the kitchen - look at those UGLY yellow sponged walls  -  I HAVE to do a post about our remodeling/updating.



My nephew - he LOVES those turkey legs!  And now it's a tradition to take a picture of him eating.

OK - this is a turkey from Pier One - I know it's my sister's (who lives in DC) turkey.  Not sure how I managed to get my hands on it, but it's also now one of those items that it wouldn't be the same holiday if we didn't have it.



Thanksgiving Menu: Dessert

Is it too early to start planning my Thanksgiving Menu?  There are only 58 days left until Thanksgiving. (see my handy dandy Thanksgiving countdown on the right)

Last year, we had pumpkin pies (store-bought), an Almond Joy cake, and a strawberry cake my cousin made (just like an Ambrosia strawberry cake, but Nikki's cake might even be better!).  The Almond Joy cake was a surprise and since everyone INSISTS on having pumpkin pie, I had my Aunt bring a couple. 

This year I'd like to make a dessert.  Here are my ideas.  Which one should I go with?  Actually we probably need at least 2 desserts.  Should I give in and just serve the pumpkin pie?

Pumpkin Trifle

Pecan Pie

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Pumpkin Ice Cream Torte

I LOVE Chocolate, so maybe I should make these Mudslide Brownies

Or my ALL TIME FAVORITE, go-to dessert- Chocolate Praline Cake

Last year I also made these pumpkin cakes with a spiced cake mix as gifts (everyone got one as they were leaving).  They were terribly ugly and my hands were stained orange.  I'll have to think of some other "gift" this year.

Maybe I could make these as gifts...

From - Kelley Highway

From Bakerella

Or these would be great for the kids

Corny Cookies from Family Fun

Internet Finds - Thanksgiving Invitations

We are hosting Thanksgiving again this year.  I'm thinking about sending invitations to our family members.  Seems fun and more festive than just a phone call to make sure they are coming.  Which one should I go with?  Which wording would be good?

Lucky Dog

I can order new dining table legs!!!  Should be here in 2 weeks, well before Thanksgiving!  Guess he is a good puppy most of the time.  This is one of my favorite pictures of my boys.

Aagh!

What the Hell-o??  Found my dog chewing the corners of my dining room table!  We don't even have kids and we can't have furniture that lasts a year! 

Going once, going twice, SOLD

I went to my first live auction today and it was a blast!  I met my mother and her friend SB this morning and we headed to Southern Heirs Auction House.  Southern Heirs is right outside of Baton Rouge in Walker, Louisiana.  We previewed the items for an hour or so then found our seats among the crowd. (Sorry the pictures aren't so good - I took them with my cell phone) 

 These were just two neat things I saw - loving the old singer sewing machine and the candelabra's remind me of Halloween.

That's my mom - if it wasn't for her I would never have bid & WON my first auction!  I got this fabulous gate leg mahogany table.  She kept nodding her head at the auctioneer after I got nervous about spending money & stopped bidding.  And he took each nod as a bid!

I'm a terrible cheapskate and a major returner.  If I can get over my initial apprehension to spend money, I'll return the item in a few days.

The auction for the table was hilarious - I turned to her and said "You're bidding! Stop nodding your head!  You're bidding!"  But as soon as we won the table, I was beside myself with excitement.  She always knows what's best for me and knew that I would love & use the table.

Hope everyone had a good labor day! Not looking forward to going back to work tomorrow.

I joined Southern Hospitality's link up party

Etsy Finds - Cleaning

Since I took a day off of work to clean my house today, thought I'd find a few things on Etsy to inspire me to finish the job I started.  Most of the house is clean - just need to finish the back bedroom, sewing/craft room and the dining room (which is currently being used to store MORE crafting stuff).

Crocheted Cotton Dishcloths

Reusable Swifter Refills

A new ironing board cover

Pretty Rubber Gloves

OK, enough daydreaming and playing on the internet, back to work...