Still Giving Thanks!

Why do we only have Thanksgiving once a year?  With so much to be thankful for, and so many fabulous foods with which to celebrate, I would like to propose an official 'Still Thanksgiving' holiday.  Check your calendar for next Thursday.  I'm free if you are...RSVP.  Just kidding, of course, but every year as we 'oooh' and 'aaaahhhh' around the Thanksgiving table, someone suggests that we do it again the same time on the following week, but alas we never do.  It probably has something to do with the break-neck speed at which life passes beginning on Black Friday and ending with New Year's Day.  Blurrrrr...there went a month -- don't blink or you'll miss it! 

And with the New Year suddenly I am on a diet again.  And making empty promises about the treadmill.  Yes, empty promises to myself.  One day...surely, one day I'll find (read: make) time to exercise.  I hope. Slow down, life, I need to find time to exercise!

Okay, forget exercise for today.  Back to Thanksgiving!  I hope you enjoyed your turkey and trimmings surrounded by plenty of family, friends and fun.  We certainly did.  Twice!  This year, Terry and I cooked together all day on Wednesday to prepare Thanksgiving dinner for both of our families.  We had a great time in the kitchen together, and made lots of food and dirty dishes -- enough to run the dishwasher 3 times! 

Here's what we knocked out on Wednesday:  2 pans of Gold Rush Cornbread for the 2 pans of Country Cornbread Dressing, which was fabulous!  Then, Terry peeled and cut 5 pounds of Yukon Gold potatoes for what might possibly be the best potatoes we have ever mashed (note: one stick of butter, 2 cups of cream, and lots of salt and pepper will do that!).  In addition, we roasted an 8-pound turkey breast, made gravy, cranberry conserve x 2, and Chocolate Pie.  Whew!  But it all went so smoothly that I still had time to make another batch of our new favorite Cinnamon Roasted Almonds to set out as an appetizer, plus 3 quarts of iced tea, and 2 quarts of Green Tea with Pomegranate.  But that was just Wednesday's cooking...we did more on Thursday and enjoyed part of it with his family, and then part of it with my family.  Two Thanksgiving meals...we do have a lot to be thankful for! 

In addition to what we prepared, we also enjoyed a lovely selection of gourmet cheeses, a Green Salad, Pistachio Salad, Green Bean Casserole, Macaroni and Cheese, Sweet Potato Casserole, Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Swirl Cheesecake, Pecan Pie and rolls...two kinds of rolls.  Oh my!  We certainly do have much to be thankful for in this great country!  So much, that again, I would like to recommend a 2nd Thanksgiving holiday.  Anyone else interested?

Each year I make many dishes, but there are still some that I wanted to make, but didn't.  So many fabulous recipes, so little time!  One of the recipes that got passed by for Thanksgiving will likely have to make an appearance next to our holiday ham -- my Sweet Potatoes in Orange Cups.  It may sound 'fancy shmancy', but it is really easy to make.  You have my word.  I promise.  You can do it!  And they are so pretty! 

So please enjoy your leftovers, and enjoy the precious time spent with loved ones...and let's all have Thanksgiving again very soon!  Agreed?

Until we eat again...cook, eat, smile, repeat!  Happy Holidays!
Kimberley