Thanksgiving Food and Giving Food Thanks

Nice play on words, eh? I mean, it IS all about the food isn't it? Thanksgiving is a day to thank those you love by giving them what they love... food. And this year, for the first time, WE were dishing the "food thanks" instead of just receiving it. It was a daunting task to host the holiday but would have proved impossible had it not been for my mom, who swooped in by train (from Utah) to rescue us from culinary disaster. Rich and I didn't know the first thing about turkey cooking (the first thing being it must be bought and thawed in advance... also that there is a goody bag of organs and entrails hidden within the turkey which must be removed and that Stovetop stuffing does not get cooked inside the turkey... among other things). Of all things this Thanksgiving, I was most thankful for my mom, who took the reins as head chef and guided us through the process resulting in a most delectable blend of home-cooked holiday dishes that even the kids were willing to sample. Our guest list grew from 6 to 13 in the final hours (most likely after they discovered the mastermind behind the meal was my experienced mama). We somehow found room for all, though no more than two chairs were alike but the meal was a success! Now I would like to give thanks to the following foods for being so delicious:

1. Our $4 turkey from WINCO that fed us all for a week
2. My mom's candied yam's with pineapple and marshmallows... pure genious.
3. Our mashed potatoes made without the help of a mixer (which we don't own... and you wonder why I don't bake?) which only brother Rob was strong enough to mash.
4. Mixed vegetables with so much butter and cheese they were tastier than cheese fries.
5. Stovetop stuffing and Road's rolls... why make your own when these are SO good?
6. Strawberry spinach salad that makes you feel like you're eating something healthy but with such a sugary dressing that you are definitely not.
7. Deviled eggs
8. Giant home-made apple and pumpkin pies made by our friend Jeni... what a difference home-made makes.

(Unfortunately, this is the only picture we took of the event... too busy I guess).

We had such a great week with Momma K. When I told Rocky she was coming to visit, he said, "Mom... Guess what it makes me feel when you tell me Grandma K is coming? .... Happy!" When Jack spotted her at the train station, he happy-skipped all the way to her, and I thought he would never let go of her.