Thanksgiving for Two

Today I woke up and got right to work in the kitchen! Because it's finally Thanksgiving, it was time to finally use the Thanksgiving table decor that I recently sewed. I made a table runner which turned out so-so. As I moved the plum purple cordouroy and orange plaid wool fabrics through the sewing machine, I pulled just enough to stretch them both out, so there was a rippled effect on the hems. The runner looks wavy, which is fine, it's just not what I had originally envisioned. I also made some napkins in a black and creamy white damask print. Then came the challenge! While in North Carolina on our trip to Greg and Jillian's wedding, I innocently picked up a Martha Stewart magazine. Inside were ideas and detailed drawings on how to create multitudes of fall-themed sewn decor. I found one thing I couldn't seem to live without: a placemat shaped like a maple leaf. I decided to make the mat two-sided, an orange wool on top with a black and creamy white houndstooth on the bottom. Getting these two maple leaf place mats finished was a test on my sewing endurance for sure!!! The last craft I had on display for the Thanksgiving holiday has been hanging on our front door since Halloween: a paper leaf wreath with accents of silk florals. The paper wreath hanging on our front door wasn't really an issue here since there is no rain in the big desert!

Wreath hanging on the front door:

Table setting for two:

Detail of placemat's underside:

Turkey, potatoes au gratin, sweet potatoes, lima beans, stuffing, dinner rolls. I didn't want to make more than that, becaue we can't even finish what's listed. One vegetable for me (the lima beans, yummmm) and one for Carlton (he's discovered that he really likes sweet potatoes), and a turkey breast (legs and wings removed).

I brined the turkey for 24 hours, and followed these directions all the way through to the end. I can say that I have never had a juicier turkey in my life, unless it was deli sliced from the grocery store! All of the meat was sooo juicy!!! I am very proud of how it turned out. The potatoes au gratin were a little runny and not as soft as I prefer (even though they baked for 2 hours!), and Carlton's sweet potatoes needed a little more baking to crispen up some, but everything was overall a sweet success! I'm very proud, especially since I have never baked a turkey, a sweet potato, homemade au gratin potatoes, or stuffing before.

Carlton and I talked about what we were thankful for, and about the delicious meal as Vespa ate her (very) fair share of turkey on the floor next to the table. Even though we couldn't share this holiday with our friends and family, we had a very happy Thanksgiving together with each other.




Tomorrow night our plans are to meet up with the Cook cousins in Anthem, AZ for a post-Thanksgiving dinner. I'll be sure to get pictures of the whole crew together!


Happy Thanksgiving to All!!!