Our Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving was very mellow and relaxing. We really got excited because it rained all day and was kinda chilly. It was pretty much close to a perfect day with the exception of missing family...

I made a few new recipes this year for an appetizer and dessert. Dinner..we were pretty simple..turkey and stuffing. No one wanted potatoes or cranberry sauce....whatever..less work for me.

I made a artichoke spinach dip and it was so good!

Here's the how to:

*Cut up 14oz jar of marinated artichoke hearts..throw in a bowl

*Chop up 10 oz. frozen chopped spinach..toss in bowl

*Add in 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese

*Toss in 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese

*Add 3/4 cup mayo

*1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder

*Mix up

*Put in a pie plate

and bake until heated through, maybe 20 minutes on 350.

.

(However, my turkey was in and set on 325 so I put it in there at that temperature and it was fine for 20 minutes.

I bought a loaf of french bread and a bag of white corn tortilla chips for the dip. I must say the chips were far superior ..

the bread was tasty, however way too dense and filled you up too quickly..(which I guess could be a good thing..)

I had a 19lb turkey. Put the giblets and neck in a pot with water covering it and set it on low..through out the process I added the drippings to the pan to make gravy.

I created a herb butter compound and that is what I basted the bird with.

In the cavity I put in carrots, celery and tarragon.

Here's the how to for the butter:

Gather these things..(one stick of butter, fresh, organic tarragon, rosemary and chives)

*Melt butter and dice the herbs and put in butter. Add a few cracks of black pepper and we're good to go.

Paint on the mixture all over the bird and the leave whatever is left on top of the stove..the butter will stay melted from the heat of the oven.

Next up..stuffing...

My mother in law told me how to make this years ago...I love this..I would be totally content just eating this covered in the gravy.

First you need to tear up a loaf of white bread. (The kids always do this for me, they love it

Next...add in a stick of butter, bunch of diced onion and celery, cook for a few then add in a handful of raisins and one apple diced..(skin on).

Now add in the bread and some poultry seasoning. If needed add some more butter...I think I used 2 sticks..(yeah I know not figure friendly..but c'mon its thanksgiving...!)

Cook until browned and some parts are crispy..so good!

Finally the dessert. I made a cheesecake pumpkin swirl...

And unfortunately I don't have the photos for the step by step guide because Jack and Lily were fighting the whole time over who got to add this or stir that so I was being the referee instead of the photographer.

Here is the end result and it is so good..just think cheesecake with a hint of pumpkin and spice. Yum. Justin doesn't like pumpkin pie so this worked out good.

And lastly we were feeling so festive yesterday

and with all of us bugging Justin, our holiday tree went up, how could he say no to these faces?It was fun, the kids had a blast and all the presents are wrapped and underneath. Jack woke up this morning shouting Santa came! I guess he forgot that I put those there last night. Maybe its not such a good idea to put them there a month early. Oh well, its pretty and I am done, yay!