scenes from thanksgiving 2011

by Stacy

Thanksgiving this year was a little different than last year.

thanksgiving dinner

My husband bought and roasted some turkey legs. Everything else was vegan/dairy-free.

Then everyone helped move the table under the window so I could take pictures before we ate.

Thanks, family!

thanksgiving dinner

I burned the first pan of sweet potatoes and had to make more.
The vegan margarine I was using for the pie crust was softer than I was used to.
The green beans were slightly overcooked.
Oh well.

aspiring food blogger

My 4-year-old niece/sous chef helped me cook last year, too.

Her request at the farmers market — beet greens.

When do you think she’ll start blogging?

destroying the fabric of america

I’m thankful for my family and our own special kind of crazy.

I’m thankful for the friends who joined us for dinner, for lazy Trivial Pursuit, and for a weekend visit to the zoo.

I’m thankful for all the love and support in our lives.

Thanksgiving Happiness

thanksgiving dinner

How was your holiday weekend?
Did you host or did you visit?
What are your favorite traditions, or did you start new ones?

{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }

Kristi @ 30 Pounds of Apples November 27, 2011 at 8:45 pm

I’m so glad I’m not the only one who has to lug food out of the kitchen to get a naturally lit photograph. I have to go all the way OUTSIDE to the porch to get any direct sunlight. Ugh. Anyway, your meal looks gorgeous! I think one of my favorite parts about seeing the Thanksgiving spreads of others is thinking about how traditions vary from family to family. I’ve NEVER had galette at Thanksgiving, ever!, and yet I keep seeing it listed as a Thanksgiving staple. Who knew! Brad’s family always does broccoli casserole, mine does green bean casserole. Thanks for sharing a snapshot of your meal!

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Stacy November 27, 2011 at 11:51 pm

At our last place I had to take everything upstairs. I won’t lie, natural light in the kitchen was a factor in our house hunt. Natural light in the dining room, not so much.

Thank you! I wouldn’t call this in line with family tradition, either, and this was the first year we had galette! And I like Brad’s family’s idea since I much prefer broccoli to green beans. 😉

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Kristi November 29, 2011 at 8:01 am

Yes, I’m fairly certain that wherever we move next will HAVE to have natural light in the kitchen. And preferably, the whole house. I saw a picture the other day of a greenhouse/sunroom that had been transformed into a kitchen. Glass walls and ceiling. It was a miracle.

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Sarah, Simply Cooked November 29, 2011 at 2:31 pm

Oh! I am so happy that I heard you say this. A kitchen sunroom is an inspired idea! Genius. I showed my husband and he said, enigmatically, “I’d never begrudge you anything”!

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Sarah, Simply Cooked November 27, 2011 at 11:06 pm

It looks delicious and healthy. I missed Canadian Thanksgiving this year and then chose not to go in for American Thanksgiving either as I was sick. But I have been enjoying reading all the posts around the interwebs. I’m looking forward to a family Christmas – the first one in five years when all of my nuclear family will be there.

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Stacy November 27, 2011 at 11:53 pm

My major menu goal was to have food I actually wanted to eat, and we did. I hope you’re feeling better!
Christmas is really my favorite holiday and the only time my extended family gets together. So happy for you that you’ll be with your family after such a long hiatus!

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birch November 28, 2011 at 4:06 am

Thank you. The food was fabulous.

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Stacy November 28, 2011 at 11:08 am

Thank you for coming!

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Irina G November 28, 2011 at 10:31 am

I absolutely love love LOVE that quote!

Also, your niece is adorable. :)

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Stacy November 28, 2011 at 11:09 am

Me too! :-)

I can’t take any credit, but she really is.

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Nancy Rose Eisman November 30, 2011 at 10:58 am

My attempt at a seitan “turkey” was nothing spectacular but the potential is there for next year. One you tube video had it wrapped and baked until golden in puff pastry and that may be the ticket. A cranberry pie adapted from one I tried at a pie contest is my new favorite. Sorry, no pictures. Weather was perfect, but it seems to me it always is on Thanksgiving, whether here in Cal or back in the day in Chicago. Food and weather aside, Stacy you nailed the essence of any holiday by emphasizing being with the meaningful people in your life.

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