Turkey Day started at 4:30am for Cliff and me. I was off to work by 5:00am for the Turkey Stuffer 5K. Cliff was awesome and got up with me to help load boxes upon boxes of bananas and pointsettas as I didn't want to leave them in the car overnight for fear that they would freeze. After I left, Cliff rowed for an hour (as Thanksgiving is the first day of the Holiday Challenge!). While I was at work signing in volunteers, setting up canopies, pumping water, cheering on runners, and doing other random stuff; Cliff was cooking a turkey, two pies, and generally making the house smell and feel cozy.
Despite the larger venue we had a small crew again this year. Kathy and Jill went back east this year to hang out with family. At this point, we have spent quite a few Friendsgivings with them so it was odd not to have Jill taking photos of food preparation and Kathy laughing at stupid things I say. We missed them! With this said, they were there in spirit as Cliff made Jill's famous chocolate pie. There is no turning back for us. Every Thanksgiving from here on out will include Jill's chocolate pie.
We were happy as Brie made the journey down from Portland. She brought a really amazing salad. It consisted of roasted butternut squash over mixed field greens with tahini dressing. It was awesome. She also brought her newest craft items and we got to see her do some pretty cool needle felting. I think she could sell her creations at Saturday market. I would buy one! It is really wonderful to have family near and it is always fun to hang out with Brie!
My rockin' coworker, Jana, also came as all her family is back in Indiana. She outdid herself. Despite working the crazy morning shift for the Turkey Stuffer she also managed to make a green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, and crescent rolls. What?! I don't know how she did it. Several folks at work commended me on hosting Thanksgiving and cooking a turkey despite working that morning. I corrected each of them and and told them that Cliff is the master cook/baker in our house. We are all much happier because of it too. I pick the menu. I buy the groceries. Cliff does all the hard stuff. I eat happily. We are a great team.
All and all we had the following: turkey with gravy, Cliff's homemade cranberry sauce, the squash and greens salad, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, rolls, wine, cider, sweet potato pie, and Jill's chocolate pie. It was a feast.
Rudy also had a great time. There were more people to pay attention to him and more food being dropped on the kitchen floor. This photo shows his excitement. Now just imagine him butt swishing and prancing like a show pony all around the house. So good.
After eating we chatted about family holiday traditions, looked at Black Friday coupons, and watched Wings on Netflix. It was quite. it was relaxing. It was just awesome.
The following morning Cliff and Brie went on a 7.5 mile run/hike up and around Mt. Pisgah. I tried to take left over race food to a local food bank. In that process I also found myself in Target finally getting my hands on a $6 copy of Pitch Perfect. Victory.
Gotta love Thanksgiving.
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