It's All in the Preparation

We made a little adjustment to our Thanksgiving plans. Originally, my mom, aunt and brother were going to come here to our house. However, since the roads will be a little questionable tomorrow, we decided to hold our gathering at mom's house instead, so that she doesn't have to drive. It's also a little closer for my brother and aunt.

Though this was only for logistical reasons, it benefits me in two ways...

1) I don't have to worry about having my house clean. I'm thankful for that.

2) My mom volunteered to make the turkey at her house, so I got out of wrangling that big bird. But since my mom definitely knows how to make a good turkey, Mr. Blue Eyes will still get to enjoy his favorite Thanksgiving dish. It's a 'win win', as far as I'm concerned.

Since I'm wrapped up in my Thanksgiving pre-game today, I thought it would be fun to do a running post about little tasks, smells, photos of pretty food, and smells throughout the day.

That's right. I meant to say 'smells' twice.

I'm really excited about all the smells I am going to experience today. You'll see.

11:45 a.m. - Pumpkin (for pumpkin pie) is roasting in the oven, and house is starting to smell like pumpkin. Yum!

11:50 a.m. - Mixed up berries, sugar and such for Berry Thankful Pie. The berries look all sparkly and snowy. Yum! Must go stir now, or this will all be for not.

12:30 p.m. - Pumpkin is out of the oven.

12:35 p.m. - Just added the orange zest and vanilla to Berry Thankful pie filling. (And oh yes... I did inhale. Hands down, this is the best smell ever. Ever! Ever.) Now it has to cool before going into the pie crust.

An empty pie crust...

Is there anything else in the world that holds as much promise and possibility?

All senses are 'Go!'... Tastebuds, smells, visuals of all the yummy food, sounds of Christmas music in the background, and the feel of rolling out pie crusts with my industrial rolling pin. I'm feelin' the love!

Now I'm off to start chopping things up for the stuffing.

1:30 p.m. - Dicing onions while wearing swimming goggles. Really hoping no one stops by unannounced right now.

2:00 p.m. - Realizing that I am running out of counter and table space quickly. Hyperventilating just a bit.

2:45 p.m. - I love the smell of fresh garlic. I love. the smell. of fresh. garlic. I love, love, love the smell of fresh garlic.

3:25 p.m. - My pumpkin pie filling looks darker than usual. But I made my own pumpkin pie spice this year... Could this be why?

3:30 p.m. (After pumpkin pie has filling has been poured into pie shell and inserted into oven.) - I forgot to add the heavy cream to my filling! Ahhhhh!!!! This is why it looks darker!

3:35 p.m. - Poured heavy cream right into the pie shell and mixed with a whisk. We'll see how it turns out!

4:10 p.m. - The sun is already setting. I'm going to bed now. Will one of you take the pumpkin pie out of the oven for me? And make the eggnog cranberry pie? And the scalloped sweet potatoes.

Hello? Is anybody out there?

5:45 p.m. - While trying to cut sweet potatoes with a knife that wasn't working, I said to myself, "Nope, this knife's just not gonna cut it."

Hah! I crack myself up. 

Get it? Knife? Not gonna cut it?

Hello? Is anybody out there?

I am an island unto myself.

5:50 p.m. - I need a dishwasher.

6:00 p.m. - Yay! My dishwasher is home! (She types just shortly after giving husband a kiss hello.)

6:10 p.m. - FYI: Pumpkin pie looks good. Have to wait till tomorrow to take the definitive taste test.

6:15 p.m. - Just realized, even though I've been cooking most of the day, we have nothing to eat for supper. Hello frozen pizza!

6:45 p.m. - Scalloped sweet potatoes are morphing into a more traditional sweet potato casserole. Why? Two reasons... 1) I boiled them a little too long, so I don't think they will hold up to being scalloped; 2) Whipping them up with some maple syrup, a little orange zest and cream is a whole lot easier. And I'm all about whatever is easier at this point in the day.

7:15 p.m. - Mr. Blue Eyes told me that the caramel rolls can wait until Saturday morning, so I can call it a day. Knowing how much he loves caramel rolls, this is the ultimate act of love on his part.

7:30 p.m. - Dishes are done. Food is in the fridge for the night. Eyes are droopy. But I can be proud that I didn't go to bed at 4:30.

Tally: blueberry cranberry pie (I'm calling it Berry Thankful Pie... if it tastes as good as it looks, it will be coming to a recipe page near you soon!), eggnog cranberry pie, pumpkin pie, stuffing, sweet potato casserole, and one t.i.r.e.d. Farmer Gal.

But it's a good kind of tired. And tomorrow, all I have to do is a few last minute touches, and take all the food to mama's house, where we will eat and relax. And eat again. And relax some more. And then take a nap. Followed by more eating.

Now I'm off to see if my dishwasher has a 'foot rub' function.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Our little family is thankful for YOU!

Comments

[Flying Jae's Mom]

Loved this post! Wish I could smell this post through my hubby's Droid. Had to laugh too, cause my mom forgot to add sugar to her pumkin filling and had to pour sugar into the filling as it was sitting in the pie crust. The pie still turned out, just looked lumpier. Hope you had a fabulously delicious Thanksgiving! :)

[Anabeth]

Your pies look wunderbar! You are sooo creative and down to earth (produce from your own earth)! At my age, I get the pumpkin from a can and the stuffing from a box. Hope you had a great TDay with your family. We miss you in the mountains.

[Tauna]

You DID wear goggles!!!!! You crack me up!

Uhm, I don't think you will consider me a friend.............I'm a pie crust failure....or should I call it a pie curst?
My experience was awful and not worthy of a single picture.
You are my hero!
You HAVE to do a tutorial on your pie crust AND share recipes, cuz i'm sure you have nothing else to do.

Oh, mercy I bet you had such a great time!

Happy belated Thanksgiving to you!