Scenes From Thanksgiving

This was the scene at our house yesterday.

There was plenty of cooking going on.

Everyone got involved and had a job.

I love everyone working together, making wonderful food.

Food like Poblano Spoonbread, Stuffing, Smashed Potatoes.

That’s our daughter Lyndsay, and she is becoming quite the amazing cook.  She makes the BEST fried rice you’ve ever put in your mouth! She learned it from her gram-ma-ma and it’s scrumptious.

And this is Isaac, her hubby, who loved the football games as much as Conner.

Isaac and Lyndsay are the parents of Lil Missy Jade.

Jade truly relished in Thanksgiving and smashed potato wonder.

Oh, and speaking of Conner…

Did you know someone who wears a Patriot jersey is gonna watch the Patriot game?

Jason and Lindsay came too.

And this is what I love about our home.  Anyone is welcome, no matter if we know you’re coming or not.  You can walk into the Johnstonbaugh’s, and if there isn’t food, we’ll make more.  It’s like the era of the 50’s, but it’s not…when neighbors and friends got together over a meal and just made it work for the sake of fellowship.

Yesterday  we had several unexpected guests.

Kayla brought a friend, Katie (gotta love that name!) home from college.

Hanna and her sister Haley dropped in.  Hanna is one of my adopted daughters and her and Tori go back to kindergarten I think.  She is very special to us and her little sister Haley is now becoming one of us as well.

And these two siblings showed up and surprised us too.

Caitlyn lives in Houston with her Dad and Christian lives in OKC with his mom.  At our house, these siblings can just relax and be family.  And we absolutely love them to death.

You know who else I just love to death?

Mr. Wonderful.

There was no brine.  There was no magical waving of the wand.

This is how we roll at the Johnstonbaugh’s home.

ME:  “Should we brine the turkey?” (11 pm the night before Thanksgiving).

HIM:  Let’s just fly by the seat of our pants.  We’ll make it good (I can’t remember if I said this or him).

So Thanksgiving morning, after a day of cooking prep by me, Mr. Wonderful got up and put in a 18 pound bird.  He did an amazing job.

The moistest bird I’ve had in many years that we basted with leftover Sage Pesto from what I had leftover from the show this week where I made Butternut Squash Bruschetta with Sage Pesto.

Speaking of Mr. Wonderful….After five years of marriage, I let him in on the secret….that we owned a bread maker.

And a recipe for cinnamon rolls.

Which he jumped on and performed …. beautifully.

We ate them at 10 pm Thanksgiving evening.

And  man…my husband is genius.

Here is a Mr. Wonderful genius tip.  For those crunch-time minutes just prior to serving..make note cards so you know when and how much time to pop a dish into the oven.

This was a wonderful help.

And tonight my dears, I am sitting on the couch, refusing to play along with the Black Friday craziness.   Relishing in the peace of Hallmark movies, leftover turkey bones simmering in a stock of onions, celery and carrots.

My guy is finally home…

And the time span between Thanksgiving and Christmas begins with a peaceful, wonderful relaxed night.

P.S.  Did you know if you cut onion with sunglasses on, you won’t cry?

After my favorite holiday, I was wiped out from cooking, happy in love, and smiling from the food and love of family….

Mr. Wonderful and I enjoyed the day, the turkey, ….well maybe not so much the DISHES… but all in all…it was something to be thankful for…until next year…

Katie