We had a very nice yet quiet Thanksgiving.  The food was delicious (if I do say so myself) and I loved the company of my family.  It was just our little, immediate family, but it was so nice.  I couldn’t have done the dinner without all the loving help of my husband and sons.  I’m still battling the pain but I wanted to have a Thanksgiving dinner for us so I just planned ahead and did things in increments.  I started some of the preparations on Tuesday and then on Wednesday, I made the pie, boiled the yams, made the dressing (stuffing) and did any chopping or prep work I would need to do for Thursday morning.  On Thursday morning, I got up early (for me) and my hubby helped me get the 25 pound turkey out of the fridge and into the pan, stuff it, and then stick it in the oven!  That big boy was really heavy!  This year we did something we’ve never done – bought a fresh turkey.  It was so nice!  No hoping it wasn’t frozen solid inside, no chopping out the innards because the center is still a block of ice!! Plus, I have to say, it was the best, most juicy turkey we have ever had!  Here’s a picture of that lovely turkey after it came out of the oven.

This turkey was so huge, he hung over the edge of my big roasting pan!  It was actually splattering juices over the edge into the oven and causing smoke.  I had to have my husband take it out of the oven at one point and vent the tin foil so it would quit spitting.  The leg was stuck to the side of the pan-hence it’s rather disturbing look in the picture.  lol 

I also made bean green casserole – it was so, so yummy!  We like lots of extra french-fried onions, as you can see.

I pre-cooked the yams, then dotted it with butter, sprinkled it with brown sugar and cooked it until hot.  At the last minute, I added the marshmallows and baked them until melted.  It was heavenly!

Can you see all that lovely butter just oozing off those yams.  Paula Deen has nothing on me!!

I also made something I’ve never made for Thanksgiving before, but my youngest son requested it, so I added it to the menu and I think it’s going to be a new favorite for Thanksgiving – creamed corn! Just look at that golden yummy-ness!

We had mashed potatoes and gravy.  I just had to take a picture of the gravy that I made from scratch in my huge cast-iron skillet.  Oh, it was SO good!  There’s nothing like cooking in cast iron.  I use cast iron skillets exclusively. 

We also had cranberry sauce.  I’m one of those people that likes it out of the can and, not only that, but I like it jellied and to keep the shape of the can!  I plop it out on a plate and just cut it into slices. 

This year I decided to have Pillsbury Croissants.  They are one of my favorites and always make me think of the holidays as my Mother always served them at her holiday meals.  Here are mine all tucked away in a bowl with a towel to keep them warm.

I have to say, this was one of the easiest Thanksgiving ever.  With all my prep work ahead of time, and everyone pitching in to help, it was just a fun time.  When I was in pain, I would sit on my kitchen stool and chop or slice or mix while sitting.  I’ve learned it’s okay to do that. 

We had pumpkin pie that hubby got from Sam’s Club.  Normally, I would make my pumpkin pie, but since we had so much left over, I didn’t want to make another one.  Instead, I made my Grandmother’s chocolate pie.  Oh. My. Goodness.  There is nothing like it.  I forgot to take a picture, so I don’t have one.    I’ve been asked many times for that recipe, but it’s definitely a secret.  Actually, I’m working on putting together a recipe book and some day it will be available in there, but until then . . . mums the word. 

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving spent with your family.  I am so thankful to our Lord for all His many blessings he has given me and I thank Him every day, not just on Thanksgiving.  I’m so thankful for my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and then everything else trickles down from there.  God is so good.

God bless you – Julie