This is a little belated, since we just celebrated Christmas, but I figure I have some back posting to do.

We had a lovely Thanksgiving, just the two of us (with some early guests for snacks and spiced cider). I made all the traditional Thanksgiving fixings from my family, which of course meant we were eating Thanksgiving for days and days. Luckily, our dear friends from North Carolina, the newly-wed Christopher and Amber Gorski, joined us for “Thanksgiving Part II” on Saturday to help us take care of some of it.

Here I am making my mother’s speciality - candied yams. Please ignore the state of the kitchen. Thanksgiving is not a neat and tidy holiday.

The only part of the kitchen not yet destroyed. I’m sure it was only a matter of time.

Here is our beautiful Thanksgiving table. I love that I can look at it and remember the giver of each lovely item on our table. Our china from so many people, crystal candlesticks and hand-dipped St. John’s Monastery candlesticks from our priest’s wife Kh. Martha and choir director Lynn, dishes from the Konzelmans, cutting board from cousin Jenny Rose, red pie plate from sister Caitlynn, lace tablecloth and napkins from college friends Becky (also the green bean dish) and Courtney, bread basket from sister Alyssa and her husband Ian, wine glasses from Sarah and Cindy Nims…I could go on and on. We remember each one of you and your generosity when we use them.

As for the menu, Paul brined the turkey in two gallons of salt water and herbs and spices, and it was the best turkey we every had. I broke from family tradition and made Apple, Cranberry, and Sausage stuffing and some green beans with fresh ginger butter, along with the requisite candied yams, cranberry sauce, gravy, and an apple-cranberry and a pumpkin pie.

Earlier in the day, some classmates of Paul’s came by for cheese and crackers and spiced cider. We used the olive wood cheese board that my talented sister Alyssa and brother-in-law Ian made for us as a wedding gift, and had Brie, cranberry Stilton, and Dublin chedder (under the plate) on homemade crostini. Unfortunately, we don’t have a photo from before it was all eaten up.

We hope you all had a wonderful holiday season! We certainly did. We will post photos from our snowy Christmas in the Colorado mountains soon!