A Different Morning + Thanksgiving Preview

Whoa, where have I been?!  I do apologize for my absence…such a slacker!  Well not really, you see this past weekend was House Thanksgiving!!

If you’re a long time reader you know I do this every year.  My college roommates and I started making Thanksgiving dinner the weekend before the actual Turkey Day since Junior year…that means this is the 8th YEAR!!  Holy Crap! 

Here’s a look back at past Thanksgiving Posts (most of the recipes remain the same year to year…if it’s not broke don’t fix it!)

2008:

Part 1 – Pie Crusts and Groceries

Part 2 – More pies, prep, and mini orange cheesecakes!

Part 3 – Finished cheesecakes, cranberry sauce, and the BEST stuffing of your life…yes it’s true. 

Part 4 – Chocolate Pecan Pie, Butterscotch Pie (!!), the bird, and the rest!

2009:

Part 1 - First T-day at the house, seasonal decor, all the dinner items

Part 2 – Desserts: Profiteroles, Ricotta Cappuccinos, Mini Pies!

Most of the dishes will never change year to year…esp. the stuffing (I’ve converted all my friends and it’s now their favorite stuffing ever too!!)

This year I did the squash a bit simpler, as well as the mashed potatoes.  I also did a couple new desserts that I can’t wait to share!

But let’s rewind… Friday.  I took the morning off to get a head start on my grocery shopping.

Times like these I really wish I could work from home….mostly to eat a nice breakfast and lunch, on my dishes, in the sunlight, at my table :)

Breakfast starts with a B-eautiful cappuccino!

Sorry Starbucks, but my foam is way better ;)

Breakfast continued with, what else, oatmeal!  So much better when I can make it on the stove.

The usual base:

• 1/3 cup rolled oats
• 1/3 cup water
• 1/3 cup skim milk
• 1/2 banana
• pinch of salt
• couple shakes of cinnamon

Toppings:

• homemade granola
• Justin’s Maple Almond Butter
• homemade blueberry preserves (made by my friend!)
• shredded coconut
• 2 choc. chips, 2 PB chips :)

This breakfast just made my morning.

The day continued with trips to 3 different grocery stores, and a few other errands.

Then lunch time!

Salad:

• Baby arugula
• pecans
• chopped pear
• gorgonzola
• Dressing: balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard

Fresh fall flavors! 

This is one of my favorite homemade, SO EASY, dressings!  Tart but with a little sweetness.

The pear was also nice and juicy, and I had the rest sliced up.

The other half of my lunch was a slice of Trader Joe’s Whole Wheat Tuscan Pane, spread with Dijon mustard, and topped with ham and gruyere cheese…toasted.

I wasn’t thrilled to head into work after lunch, but I thoroughly enjoyed every moment…I hope you “work from home” people know how lucky you are!!      

The rest of the weekend was jam packed with cooking and lots of friends!

I’ll leave you with some select shots from the weekend, and can’t wait to share more about the food:

   

 

Happy Thanksgiving week! 

So have you dared to prepare an entire Thanksgiving feast??  It’s a lot of work, but so fun and so worth it!  Plus it gets easier every year!

King Arthur Discounts!

Well for now here’s a special offer to help with your Baking this holiday season!  The awesome people up at King Arthur want to offer a special offer to you all! (just click the picture)

Happy Baking :)