We had dinner guests this year for Thanksgiving, such a rare treat. So instead of setting a table for five, we had two tables -- all made necessary [and possible, hee hee] by Eric's mom and nephew's visit, along with my sister's and her kids! Cooking for a full house is truly the best!
With Eric deep frying the turkey again and such a small dinner party, we weren't beholden to any particular schedule, and so we took our time preparing the side dishes and drinking a bit of wine. We fell into an easy routine, with Liz preparing the bulk of the food, Kay entertaining the children and me baking and setting up [please ignore the unpressed tablecloth, it was a last-minute thing and I'm betting the kids didn't even notice].
It was probably Eric's 10th year of frying a turkey, so he's got it all down pat. It's always exciting watching the bird take the first plunge, everyone turns out to watch! This year we bypassed the second turkey (roasted for me so that I can have traditional in-the-bird stuffing) because we then have turkey overload for days!
As dinner prep moved along, Grandma Kay helped the kids decorate cupcakes, many inspired by the cupcake book that Ellie and Charlie gave me for my recent birthday. Toppings ranged from the traditional (MMs, chocolate chips, piping) to the not-so (goldfish crackers and peanuts). But they were all so spectacular and truly one-of-a-kind! Our kids all showed such restraint in not eating them until after dinner! Can you possibly guess who made which?
The meal itself was so delicious, if I do say so. We started with shrimp and cocktail sauce, local oysters on the half shell and a cheese platter to die for! The main course featured turkey, of course, along with the requisite cranberry sauce and bread basket but then we diverged from the traditional and ventured over to the wild! Twice baked potatoes, roasted herbed cauliflower, steamed green beans with fresh herbs, and baked stuffing with fresh mushrooms. The butternut squash manicotti was a dud, but if ever randomly inspired, I will try making it again with bechemel or a sweet cream sauce. Aunt Shirley's deviled eggs and Kay's seven layer salad made it traditional for the Ewers, and my date and pumpkin breads felt like home for me.
All so good, all truly yummy. And then while the ladies did the dishes, Eric entertained the kids! "Pigpile on Uncle Eric! Everyone join in!"
And that's when the trouble started... Someone kneed Eric in the head and someone else got him in the groin. But that wasn't even the trouble! Seconds into the play, Jack started vomiting... all over... my brand new rug! The rug I haven't even had in place for 48 hours! The rug I ordered six months ago. Yes. The very rug I first dreampt up two and a half years ago!
Poor Jack; he felt so terrible both literally and figuratively. He and Will missed school on Wednesday due to mild fevers, and he's been off ever since. Yes, that dreaded croupy cough and high fevers. We thought he was feeling better, but after last night's barking episodes, I am just not sure. And Will's no better either. He's got the same cough, minus the power since he's a smaller dude, and horrible tummy trouble that causes him to cry out from pain! Add to that Audrey's very sore throat, hoarse voice and rough cough and we have one helluva healthy house! Not!
Fortunately, though, we have plenty of healthy children around to keep us happy and entertained.
... and cupcakes. We have lots and lots of cupcakes...
and a bit of pumpkin pie, apple pie and double-pumpkin cheesecake to boot! Would you like freshly whipped cream with that?
So Happy Thanksgiving weekend from our [sick] house to yours! May you have a great time with your own loved ones!
