Gobble, Gobble!

About a month and a half ago, Scott and I decided that we were going to do Thanksgiving at our house this year. I was pretty concerned about how everything was going to work out, but I decided that it was easier just not to think about it and just jump in feet first. Monday night Scott and I went to the grocery store and got all of the ingredients for the things I had planned to make. I wrote out a 'master plan' for the timing of everything so that the food would at least be hot when it got to the table but I was not quite sure it would work out how I envisioned. I spent some time getting turkey advice from family, friends, Martha Stewart and of course...Oprah.


The preparation of the food began the night before. My mom had suggested that I brine the turkey and so helped clean it out before leaving to go home teaching. While he was gone, I worked on preparing the brine so that it could sit overnight. I also made yogurt salad so it could be chilling in the fridge.


Thanksgiving (D-day)--we got up early and started preparing. While I cut up the things to stuff the turkey, Scott rinsed the brine off and we started stuffing, tying, spicing, and preheating. After we put it in the oven, we finished cleaning the house, setting the table (special thanks to Mom and Dad Davis for the table!), and getting ourselves ready. Scott then helped me make the yams and then while I finished, he started peeling for the mashed potatoes. I had given Scott two jobs--cranberry sauce and stuffing. My only request was that the cranberry sauce was not in the shape of a can and Scott did such a good job on his assignments and helped me a ton with the things I had assigned to myself. We make a great team in the kitchen! :) We finished the yams and mashed potatoes and made gravy, stuffing, and sparkling grape juice.

Mom and Dad Fought got to our house around 3:30. Mom brought homemade rolls and pies (yummy!) which have always been one of the highlights of previous Thanksgivings. Mom and Dad Davis, along with nephews Henry and Jack came a little after 4 and brought clam dip, deviled eggs, a fruit platter, and broccoli salad. Everything was pulling together so nicely!

At this point I am getting somewhat frustrated with the fact that the meat thermometer stuck in my turkey is still not reading 180, Oprah's 'optimal temperature'. I was slightly embarrassed that I had a house full of hungry people and I was off schedule but everyone seemed to be understanding. As soon as the turkey was taken out we put in the yams to bake. Everything was kicked into high gear and I was getting super excited about the fact that my turkey actually looked good! Flashbacks from "Christmas Vacation" hit me and I thought about the bird cracking open with the first touch of a knife and the insides being dry and unchewable. After the "20 minute recommended sit time" Dad Fought carved into the turkey and it seemed to have turned out pretty good.


We finally sat down to dinner a little after 5 and everyone seemed to have plenty to eat! It was so much fun to have both sides of our family there and to enjoy their company in our home.

After dinner we watched football, took naps, played "Pass the Pigs" while enjoying Henry's humorous comments and actions, and sat around talking. Jack had us all laughing when Patrick started singing rap songs to him and he laughed and laughed while bouncing up and down. We finished off the evening chowing down on pumpkin pie and lowfat frozen yogurt (a lot of good that did us).


Thank you to everyone who came and spent Thanksgiving with us! We are so glad you came and hope you enjoyed it as much as we did!