Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving this year was relaxing and peaceful, neither terms that I typically use to describe holidays. My parents made the trip down which eliminated the need to drive through the night or deal with traffic and packing. I was so grateful. Days off are few and far between and I prefer to not spend them in the car or in an airport. The ten hour drive could have turned into 12+ hours with my pregnancy bladder and that doesn't include holiday traffic. 

The weekend prior I spent baking and decorating my Thanksgiving sugar cookies. I was rather impressed with how they turned out but know that next time I need to increase my collection of squeeze bottles and food coloring. I chose to do a chocolate royal icing and I was a little nervous to how it would turn out but everyone seemed to enjoy it. I didn't want everyone to finish their turkey's with a brown, food coloring stained mouth. 

We divided and conquered for food this year. My parents supplied the wine as always. Geoff was on turkey duty. Very rarely do we cook meat in the house and he took full advantage of the opportunity. I did a roasted brussel sprout dish with pecans and maple syrup as well as a butternut squash mac and cheese that I found on Manifest Vegan. It called for smoked paprika which I didn't have. This eliminated the smokey factor but it was delicious. I savored the left overs and really want to make it again. One thing I love about a majority of vegan "cheese" sauces is that they can be made in the blender and combined with the cooked pasta. Only suggestion was to clean out the blender prior to dinner and going to bed. My dad tackled the cleaning the next morning and it took effort.  

I am so grateful that Geoff's and my parents get along so well. They can talk for hours and have plenty in common. Being able to spend holidays with our families together eliminates so much stress as well as guilt. The six of us even attended the musical Elf the next day followed by a great dinner. 

Thanksgiving decorations have been put away and the pumpkins have taken their traditional spot behind the garage until I have the heart to throw them away. I almost wish they could be part of Christmas when they still look so great and Geoff took all that time to grow them but on to the next holiday. Our trees are up and decorated and just in need of a few finishing touches. My goal is to have the house 100% decorated by the end of this weekend. Wish me luck!