Thanksgiving

By the time we made it over to Aunt and Uncle's casita on Thanksgiving, Uncle Steve had already baked his apple pie and was in the process of making a pumpkin pie/tart using a new recipe that included garam masala. After breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon and tortillas, the girls opened two gifts from Aunt and Uncle. The were the card game Uno and another board game called Trouble. We decided to open Uno and play. It was really fun and pretty soon both girls were joining in the fun! We soon learned that CK is a card shark!

This year, Aunt and Uncle got the turkey ready and Uncle Steve drove it over to Chris and Mike's house for it to start in the oven. Aunt Shirl and I made the stuffing, which is my absolute favorite! Before we knew it, it was time to head over to Chris and Mike's house for the big meal. Chris and Mike's house has incredible views and each time we visit I'm newly amazed by how beautiful it is. This year it was a smaller group that included us and one other couple, Deborah Madison and Patrick McFarlin who are friends of Chris and Mike's. Deborah is a well-known vegetarian cookbook author who is very interesting and nice. Patrick is an artist and painter and was a little more reserved but also very kind.

After we arrived, we took some photos and then helped get dinner on the table. I made my steamed broccoli with olive oil, lemon juice and sautéed garlic, which I pulled together at their house. Before we knew it we were sitting down to eat. The turkey was easily the best I've ever had and both our girls ended up having seconds of just the turkey meat. It was all delicious and we were all hungry from not eating since breakfast.

After finishing our meal, we enjoyed a simple salad made by Deborah that was incredible (apparently it's all about the type of olive oil). After, we dug into Uncle Steve's apple pie (amazing as usual with the best homemade crust) and the pumpkin tart which easily won everyone's vote as the very best ever had! The garam masala really added to it and it was different and delicious! We lingered over coffee and Chris gave the girls little wooden puzzles that could be made into different shapes, etc. The girls loved playing with them and the wind-up toys. After a while, we said our goodbyes and headed back to the casita for another quick game of Uno and bed. What a fun Thanksgiving!

Aunt and Uncle pulling the pumpkin tart together

Aunt Shirl and the girls before opening their game presents

I love this picture of Aunt Shirl and Sofia

Opening....

Olivia opening up the other present

The four of us

All of us - not a great photo but the best taken

Deborah at work

Uncle Steve and me cooking

The incredible view

Uncle Steve and Mike cutting up the turkey

Girls!

Aunt Shirl and her cranberry sauces

Sitting down to dinner

From the other side of the table