Thanksgiving No. 1 -- 2 DeZuttis

Yesterday Gregg and I were Thanksgiving orphans for the first time in 7 years. Because of family scheduling, there wasn't a DeZutti Thanksgiving this year, and the Inskeep Thanksgiving is on Saturday. Gregg and I decided to have a low-key relaxed meal, just us, on our LAST THANKSGIVING WITHOUT BABY SAM. It was actually really neat to be able to have a holiday, knowing that it would be the last one of its kind without Sam. It's amazing to think that in a few short months our lives will chance forever, and next year this time we'll be cleaning mashed potatoes off a little guy's (or girl's) hands, face & likely, head.

Gregg brined an 8 lb turkey. Yes, I said brined. As in a salty liquid to preserve meat and veg. He brought the brine (water, salt & herbs) to a boil on the stove Wednesday night, and then put the thawed turkey in a pot, with the brine, put the lid on, and put the whole thing in the fridge. Let me just say, that it was the best turkey either of us had ever had before. So juicy and tasty. He used rosemary, garlic and whole peppercorns in the brine. I made my smashed potatoes (I keep the skins on, using red russet potatoes, lots of garlic, butter, and veg stock), and Sandi Brown's Cranberry Cheesecake Bars. Warning -- these are dangerous. I mean, they are PERFECT for Thanksgiving because you get your cranberry course and dessert course all in one lovely bite, but I must report that the 9 x 13 pan is almost gone, and it's just the 2 of us!! I think next time I'm going to make them with Stephanie Adam's homemade cranberry sauce. Green beans and gravey rounded out the meal. I had a glass of Michigan Cherry Wine, and Gregg stuck to his usual iced tea. It was a wonderful meal with my favorite person in the world.

Today, I made my from-scratch Carmel Apple pie. I'll post pictures and the recipe tomorrow night, after I cut into it for Inskeep Thanksgiving. Gregg is bringing roasted carrots and sweet potatoes to that. It's at my sister's house, and I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE MY GIRLS!!!!!

Hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving with family and friends. If you are lucky like us, I hope you have a Thanksgiving No. 2 tomorrow as well! Healthy eating & exercise to start in earnest Monday.