We celebrated Thanksgiving with my family this year. My parents hosted my father's side of the clan and then some. There were more than 60 people, four bone-in turkey breasts, one 25-pound turkey, and close to zero leftovers. It was one for the record books, folks. Here is a little photo journal of our day-long fete and feast.
^^Cecile and Nanne, who always seems to have a holiday-themed toy up her sleeve. (This time is was a wooden peg Thanksgiving set by Goose Grease.)^^
^^My brothers Martin (injecting one of the birds), Kevin, and Brendan.^^
^^Cecile had a little stranger anxiety when getting used to her out-of-town uncles. We got over it right quick, though. Good thing!^^
^^Our dog and her half sister, Kate, running and running and running ... ^^
^^Jon's two birds, pre-prepped with an apple-cider brine (done by yours truly, thank you), crisping on the smoker.^^
^^We are all about the daddy these days.^^
^^I have a very creative mother, and an even goofier father ;) ;) ^^
^^Brendan adds the finishing touches to his sweet potatoes (the best!). Can you tell he went to Cornell's hotel school??
^^Mmmmm. We got all our turkeys from The Organic Butcher, in case any of you locals were curious.^^
^^PJ and his "Movember" mustache. "So you can shave Monday, right??," my mom asked more than once.^^
^^The obligatory family photo.^^
^^Slaving in the kitchen.^^
^^Natalie! One of Cecile's favorite people on the planet.^^
^^Love the mommy love.^^
^^Jon's perfectly perfect birds.^^
^^Another snap, another photobomb.^^
^^C with one of her GGs. (We are so very lucky.)^^
^^Peek-a-boo!^^
^^I had just sampled a taste of one of Jon's smoked turkeys. It was true love.^^
^^Some of the spread.^^
^^My parents :) ^^
^^Some like turkey. Others, like Daddy Mac, like straight-up bunny.^^
^^Digging in!^^
What a great Thanksgiving it was. There's nothing quite so rewarding as a day spent in the kitchen working as a family followed by an evening spent enjoying the fruits of collective labor. As Jon and I cultivate a little family of our own, I realize more and more how rare those moments are. It was really special and I feel so very grateful.
^^PJ on dish duty :) :) Bravo!^^
Happy Thanksgiving weekend! xx xx
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