Our Thanksgiving!

I was so excited for this year's Thanksgiving for a number of reasons. One, it is one of my favorite holidays - a 4 day weekend, family, food and best of all - thankfulness. Two, we were having it our...for the first time. Third, it was my Dad's birthday...which makes it an even more special day.

I was so happy the weather turned out to be gorgeous here in Southern California for the day so we could eat outside. It was also perfect for BBQing the turkey. Jimi totally owned this task, and brined the turkey for 24 hours and grilled it to perfection.

We did a potluck style meal, because there are just some things we just love that our mom's are excellent at. We were all able to concentrate on one or two dishes, rather than everything all at once...it was so successful and a lot less stressful for all.

The Menu
The Main Course
BBQ Turkey - Jack Daniels Brine, charcoal grill, and hickory wood chips.
*The drawback to a BBQed Turkey - It can not be stuffed and you don't get drippings for the gravy.
Garlic Mashed Potatoes - I used this recipe!
Sweet Potatoes - drowning in a brown sugar butter, sauce these babies are my favorite!
*My mom does a killer job on this family recipe.
Stuffing - Jimi's Mom, Cathy, worked her magic making stuffing without the turkey.
Green Bean Salad - Mom knows how to make green beans delicious

The Extras
Cranberry Sauce - two different directions in cute mason jars, my mom had a traditional sauce and the a relish of sorts, both were amazing!
Gravy - With no drippings, I had to get creative, so I used this recipe. I turned out much better then I expected! Plus, it was so easy!

Drinks
Wine and Martinelli's Sparkling Cider are a Thanksgiving must, but I also made this lime-rosemary water for the table. Yum!

Read More

Happy Thanksgiving!

 Thankful for my family and that I get to spend all day with them!

My Family in Paris last Thanksgiving.

 

Last year we were so lucky to have a very special Thanksgiving in Paris, France and it will be something we will never forget.  This year we are having a traditional Thanksgiving at our house which has not happened in a few years, so as you can imagine, we are very excited! 

Enjoy what you are thankful for today and eats lots of really good turkey and potatoes! 

"Gratitude is the heart's memory." -French Proverb

Read More

Being Thankful

Not all those who wander are lost. - J.R.R. Tolkien

My mind loves to wander, but it is not lost. It is exactly where it wants to be. It is in a familiar place, for it is usually somewhere in my heart with my memories and in my dreams. These are all things I know very well, but also wish I knew more.  

If my heart holds all that is dear...it is the center of my thankfulness. In order to be thankful I must go to what is in my heart, respect what is in my heart, live what is in my heart and above all else guard my heart.

I am not talking about playing it safe, or acknowledging the things I am thankful for in a single moment. I am talking about going deeper, taking a leap of faith, and living the thankful life. We were all put her for a reason, a reason that only He knows, a reason that only we can find through Him. We are not in it alone, He has that plan, we have his support. This is something to be thankful for. This gift is one that we will spend our life thinking on, acting on and hoping on. This is the thankful lifestyle.

Living the thankful life is not only a promise to yourself, or a connection, but it is self care and in this you can guard whatever makes your heart warm. Let your mind wander there often, let your mind find what your heart dreams of and let those dreams become truth.

All images can be found on my Pinterest!

Come and play.

Read More