dreamling | Thanksgiving Compass Rose

It's become tradition that I will head over to my mom's house and help her prepare and cook for Thanksgiving, at least a day in advance, if not more, usually staying over the night before to give us more time in the morning the day of.

This gives us a lot of time to chat, catch up, and drink a couple glasses of plum wine. We've been doing this since I was at least 12 (minus the wine, of course)It's the most cooking I do all year, and I'm becoming quite adept at the rituals that we use to create a magical meal.

Potatoes are peeled, boiled, mashed with cream cheese and sour cream, carrots are peeled, boiled, cut into little boats and the insides mashed with garlic, chedder cheese and a little bit of miracle whip, Turkeys are thawed, green bean cassarole is assembled, and pie crusts and fillings are started.

It was too bad my sister in law was under the weather and couldn't come, it's always fun to have female company to hang out with before dinner while the guys are game watching.

We cooked enough for twenty some people, though we rarely have more than eight. I have no clue why we work ourselves so hard, by The Dinner time, we're both exhausted, and no longer all that interested in eating. haha.

I actually took a nap right after dinner, before pies. My grandmother playing our out of tune piano woke me for a little pre-pie sing-along time. The leftovers sent home were very welcome though, and one reason for the excess, we had plenty of turkey, pie, stuffing and potatoes for the rest of the weekend.

It's so much work, but always worth the time spent, and best way to learn to cook: with good company, a little wine, and a hungry group of people about to ring the doorbell.

p.s. I made our relish tray into a compass rose... well, at least I was entertained...
Also, Jazz Hands!