The Turkey Died happy

Well Turkey day has come and gone -
We killed two birds with one family gathering - and a feast indeed, was had by all.

 

 

Unfortunately the photos that were 'planned' were never taken - but it's still evident the feast was there and the family was too.  Rob looks like the turkey knife got him - and Justin managed to avoid just about every photo (what few there were) as shown here - hiding behind his girlfriend as she fills her plate.

I did manage to get the back of Justin's head in this one - at the table.  I was actually better able to capture him 'digesting' after the fact.

A good day and a good meal was had by all.  

 





Jo even blessed us with a New Zealand traditional desert 'Pavlova' - a Meringue type yummy treat topped with whipped cream and sliced kiwis.  OMG - Decadent!

Clean up after everyone left was done in multiple phases - some done with Jodi and Rob - many dishes washed before they left - then clean up cooking utensils and cleared and scrubbed the table and moved everything to the kitchen.

The Turkey-induced coma hit Michelle hard and she napped for several hours.  But when she woke up she helped using the 'Tetris' method of getting every single leftover into the refrigerator.  It was magical!!

By the time I went to bed - every dish was washed, all the food was put away, and all my guests were gone.   Other than the packed fridge, one wouldn't know a gathering ever took place!

We did a number on that Turkey - but all the smiles on all the faces at that table - had to have made that turkey proud to be on that table.  We like to think it died happy!

Just another Manic Monday

Turkey day is around the bend and I barely have Halloween out of the house.  Thank heavens I don't deck it out with turkey stuff - like I do spooky for Halloween and glitzy for Christmas.   I've skipped a couple Christmases - times have been hard. 

It's been selfish of me - so gonna deck it out for Xmas this year - gonna do it right for the boys.  They deserve that 'go-to' place for the holidays that always was there for them.  They're good kids.

However, for now....it's all about thanksgiving. 
We've always invited those who are alone, away from any family - or just friends that need to eat!  When working in the hospital - I always invited travel nurses.  They were from elsewhere - they only knew the people they worked with and rarely had family nearby.  It felt good to do things like that.

The boys seem to always have a friend that needs a place to eat on Thanksgiving.   It seems to just make it more about what the holiday is about - sharing and fellowship around a table that is burdened with a feast.

Over the years I've traded off with my Best friend - I did Thanksgiving and she did Christmas.  This year she's leaving for xmas - so we are doing thanksgiving together -but still at my house.   I know of at least 6 who will be here.   And the menu will serve them all well.

So tomorrow (Monday) after work - I fight the crowds - find a turkey - and many of the other trimmings, and haul it home.   I'm not feeling so re-charged after this weekend - for some reason I just didn't really rest.   So Monday is going to be tough getting up - tough at work - and tough after work.   Just another Manic Monday! :)  

I'm looking forward to good times and good food in about 4 days.  
Oh and by the way.  My son threw out my fryer last year - and I was concerned we wouldn't be frying again - but he brought a super delux new toy over for the bird fry extravaganza.  
Here it is:
Wish me luck with this monster!  :)

It's a doozy!!  

Highs and Lows

Crazy weekend....
Left work early - had a trip to take.  Drive from San Diego to Phoenix to spend a birthday with a good friend.    Plan - be enroute to Phoenix by 2PM - figuring it's about a 6 hour drive.
OK - so how did that go?
1.   Leave work at 11AM - get manicure, pedicure and facial wax
2.  Go to Mall for decent outfit for the party
3.  Get home - dig suitcase out of garage and begin packing.   Oh - plug in reader
4.  Shower, hair makeup
5.  Finish packing
6.  Pick up Jo - coming with me (drive all the way to Chula Vista to pick her up first)
7.  Time on road - 2:30
Not to shabby - pretty much on track
A nice leisurely ride - a couple gas & stretch & snack stops
Arrive at Hotel in Phoenix 9:30  (they don't roll back the clocks - who knew?)
So the drive WAS 6 hours on the nose - but still took 7 (Jeesh)

Settled in put stuff up freshened up and found a nearby pizza bar - great food and drinks for very reasonble price.  Good choice

Next AM - Shopping - Hallmarks, World Market, Ross, TJ Max, and Pier 1.   Found lots of fun stuff.
Got b'day cards for twins Bill and Wes (Bill - my friend - worth the trip...time to meet the rest of the family)
Back to the hotel, chilled, napped, read...then cleaned up and called for a cab to take us to the party so we could drink without worries.
3PM A Lincoln towncar pulls up and says they're our cab.  Nice ride - great price.   Dropped at the door and since found the place after some research - promised to be the same person to pick us up.

Partied! So fun!!  Met Brother Wes and his wife Sandy, plus their two sons Taylor and Colin.  All were quite friendly and fun.   Friend Sergey also there - introduced Jo as well

10:00 PM - headed back to hotel - read a bit and crashed.
Invited to breakfast the following day to be able to visit with Bill a bit more.   Left around 12:30

Hit Campo- getting close to home - car has some warning light come on - then loses power and wont go up hills.   Pulled off next exit and searched for Garage.  Yah - out in the middle of BFE.   Sunday afternoon - day before Veterans day.  Good luck with that.  Drove about20 minutes out of the way searching before deciding to head back to highway.   Light went out - car worked fine - got home without further issues.  

Dropped off Jo - she shared some exercise equipment.
Stopped at Sushi place and got a sashimi salad
Went home and hauled all the shopping goodies,exercise equipment, food, and luggage upstairs and PLOPPED onto the couch.....
Slept until 10:30 Monday morning - got up and finished packing up the Halloween stuff and got son Rob to help get it into the garage.
Did 2 loads of laundry.   Whew!   gonna watch some TV and read a while and crash early.   Been a busy 3 days.