Thanksgiving Wrap-Up and Holiday Blog Challenge!

I survived my first Thanksgiving in which I cooked the Turkey! There was one snafu....I dropped the Turkey....well Juanita and I did....



Oh Thank goodness Juanita had a camera. That was dripping with sarcasm. I was actually completely disgusted by this raw Turkey, 17lbs that is....lots and lots of ickiness beforehand. But it all turned out well in the end and tasted pretty darn good!

So I thought I'd share with you some of the pictures we took while preparing.....

Brine



Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Homemade Cornbread for the Cornbread Stuffing

Chocolate Pie!

Mac and Cheese (yes, this was my first time having Mac and Cheese on Tday)

Sweet Potato Casserole

Basting was my favorite thing to do!



And the Turkey is done! Juanita and I after 24 hours of cooking and preparing for this meal!

The Husband made it home just in time to do the honors and carve this darn thing!

We could have fed a small army

Not Pictured: Green Bean Casserole, Corn, Mashed Potatoes, Rolls, Pumpkin Pie, Pecan Pie

Then my friend Kara arrived with the most amazing cupcakes! My favorite was the mashed potato cupcake!

And here is my table....I decorated with my Reindeer Dishes and Christmas Theme....we won't be at home for Christmas, but I was bound and determined to use my Christmas China this year!

All in all it turned out to be a wonderful Thanksgiving. The hubby even pitched in to clean all the dishes! In heaven. We were stuffed full and I've been eating turkey for the past 4 days! Besides fumbling the Turkey on Wednesday....all went well. But let me tell you I gained a WHOLE new appreciation for my mother and Granny that cook EVERY year...I was exhausted, I literally took ALL day Friday to recover, that is some hard work! All for about an hour dinner!

So now on to Amber's and Neely's Holiday Blog Challenge! Day #1! What is your favorite gift you've ever received?

Wow. That is a hard one. My family spoils me each and every year, so it is very hard to pick just one. I wish I could say it was a puppy my husband bought me...but no, that hasn't happened.

But I'd have to say last year I received my most favorite gift ever. It was my first year as a wife. K and I had split up Holidays before that, but this would be the first year we stayed together no matter what. We decided we would do Thanksgiving with my family and Christmas with his. This was the first time I've ever been away from my family, specifically my sisters and I was pretty bummed.

As I'm sitting in Wisconsin, we were having a great time at K's house. All of a sudden late Christmas Eve morning the doorbell rings, K's dad said "hmmm....do they deliver mail on Christmas Eve?" I thought nothing of this question and Bam! My Mom, Dad, and two Sisters walked in the door! It was the most surprised I have EVER been. They were able to stay and share a delicious Christmas Eve dinner with us and left before Church. It was amazing to see them since it was such a quick trip we weren't going to make it over to Minnesota to see them. K has never been able to keep a secret from me, so this one was special. I had NO idea, seriously.

Sorry for the suppppeeerrrr long post! See you tomorrow for Challenge #2!

Speaking of Christmas....if you haven't entered my Holiday giveaway for the Michael Buble Christmas CD Enter here!