Happy Thanksgiving!

Finally, I had the opportunity to go to be with my family for just enjoyment…no funerals!  It was so relaxing, and it was just exactly what I needed to help me refocus my life a little bit!  I feel so so so much better about everything.  It was such a breath of fresh air to actually breath some fresh air and see some sunshine!  And, I have to admit, I have been inspired (yet again) by my Mom.  She gets up every morning in 15 degree weather (before dawn) to run a mile with her dogs.  While I was in Colorado for Thanksgiving, Mom would wait for me to wake up (after the sun rose…it about killed her!) and run with her every morning!  I was very ambivalent about the whole running thing- I am not really a runner, and I happen to think I look ridiculous while running- but I did it.  And on Thanksgiving Day, we ran the 5K Turkey Trot!  We did it!  Two ladies who don’t consider themselves “runners,” per se, not only participated in a 5K, but we did well (in that we a) weren’t last and b) didn’t break anything!)!!  So I have been inspired that I actually CAN run, and if Mom can get up at 5AM and run in 15 degree weather, I should probably stop making excuses!

Not only did we run, but we (of course) cooked over the holiday!  Most of our Thanksgiving Menu came from some wonderful magazines: Southern Living and Cooking Light.  Here are the favorites and highlights from the food:

(she’s gonna be so mad that I posted not 1 but 2 pics of her!!)

*This appetizer was absolutely divine- from Cooking Light’s Caramelized Onion, Bacon, and Gruyere Spread.  Seriously, divine.
*The Turkey turned out so fabulously moist and tender and flavorful- and this recipe I will be adapting the recipe for roasted chicken in the future: Cooking Light’s Maple Cider Brined Turkey with Bourbon Cider Gravy.
*The stuffing: flavorful and not dry: Cooking Light’s Fennel, Sausage, and Caramelized Apple Stuffing.
*Oh, yes, the desserts!!  I made Southern Living’s Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake  (I substituted ginger snap cookies for the graham crackers)

 and Cooking Light’s Maple-Bourbon Pecan Pie,

and (my fave) Kentucky Derby Pie

I used a different pie crust recipe for those pies- one with frozen grated butter instead of melted shortening, and it was good!

Thank goodness we ran that 5K, I had to earn that fabulous meal.  And it was worth every single step!  I was sore the next day, but then my cousin and mom and I got half day spa packages, complete with massages!  Talk about relaxation- I feel very much rejuvenated after that!  It was kind of an odd experience at first; we arrived a half an hour early (for the anticipated paperwork), but were turned away for being too early (Lol, when does that EVER happen?!).  So half an hour later, we returned to the spa, and they were ready for us.  Our half day included a body scrub, a body mask, a facial, and a massage.  A retired naturopathic doctor did my facial, scrub, and wrap; and she offered some interesting advice: she said I am apparently lactose intolerant, based on some white spots on my cheeks (?!?!), and recommended that I drink coconut or soy milk instead.  Maybe I will…???  I dunno- I do know I am not lactose intolerant!  I have none of the signs or symptoms!!  Lol!!

I was just so good to have a few days to just relax and be me again, and I FEEL like me again, for the first time in a long time.  Thank goodness!  I was starting to lose hope!!  I am hoping to hold on to this slice of sanity to get me through the winter!

2 thoughts on “Happy Thanksgiving!”

  1. Sounds way better than my thanksgiving was! Wish I could have been there…maybe next time. I hope she's not too mad at you for posting photos of her considering she does look lovely in both 🙂

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