A Happy Thanksgiving

We had a happy day for Thanksgiving. A houseful of people, laughing and eating, sipping sparkling cider mimosas (which might explain the laughter), what more can you ask for?

I'm slightly hooked on making these pie crust leaves. It was so much fun, that I added them not only to the pies but to the veggie spirals.  And made a turkey from pie crust too.

The spirals would be easier to make if I had a mandolin to slice the veggies. I ended up using a potato peeler and don't recommend that one little bit!

If the golden beets, rainbow carrots, and squash are sliced in an easier way, these are simple to make. But if you are fighting a potato peeler, forget it! To make them, slice up your colorful vegetables.  Fill a pie pan with crust or puff pastry, either is tasty.  Next, spread cream cheese or ricotta lightly across the bottom of the crust to create a glue to hold the spirals. Sprinkle that with your favorite seasonings. Then, start rolling up selections of pretty colored slices, stick them into your cheesey glue, and fill the pan with twirlies.

Sprinkle the top with more spices, and drizzle with vegetable broth. 

Bake til golden brown. 

Another nice thing about our holiday was all the help. Not only with washing up, but with the prep.  With 22 people to feed, it was good to have others bake up their specialities to bring.  

Tree made organic green bean casserole with fresh beans.

Mommo made squash casserole.

Sharon brought sweet potato casserole and a cheesy spinach casserole.

Brooke whipped up creamed corn crock  pot casserole.

Thanksgiving is the day for never ending casseroles, isn't it? YUM!

Our Hippy Chick brought veggie stuffing and pies. Sharon also made cranberry sauce and appetizers, Cole baked German Chocolate Cake.  I made a TWENTY FIVE POUND turkey, which was way too much, considering how many vegetarians we had with us that day.

My sister had a good idea, she said she likes to bake the bird the day before, debone it, and then rewarm it in the crock pot for the gathering. And wow, was she right!  That saved so much time, and the turkey was as tender and juicy as it could ever be.

I also made veggie pies, mac and cheese with lobster and broccoli, and homemade rolls with chia seeds and flax,  mushrooms stuffed with parmesan fresh kale and spinach, vegetarian gravy with dairy free mashed potatoes as well as turkey gravy with regular mashers.   

This was all way, way too much food.  Especially with the appetizers of baked rosemary brie, smoked salmon and cranberry bruschettas.  Seriously, I'm still full.

But the very best part? Seeing Sugarwings and Pixie Pie together again. Those two were BFFs for the first few years of their lives, it was great to see them reunited and having happy cousin time together.

They created crowns, played dress up, and played the day away.

Before Pixie Pie had to head back north to South Dakota with her family, she came back over to help decorate Christmas trees.  It was hard to say goodbye, and we were so glad to have had some time with her again.

 

 

We were also glad to have Mommo here from North Carolina.  When a family is spread out as far as ours is, it's extra special when we get holidays with far away loved ones.