the long Thanksgiving weekend that was

Wednesday night I cooked a turkey with the giblet bag still in it. No harm no fowl. Get it?

After that, I went to Sandy's to see MFD and Frank play and catch up with friends. 

Then I ate a turkey sandwich at 2 a.m. to kick Thanksgiving off the right way.

The turkey sandwich is superior to the actual turkey in my mind.

+

Thanksgiving dawned warm and bright. 

We took our coffee to go and headed over to the fields to let the dogs run like loons.

+

We enjoyed an antipasto spread at my inlaws' along with the musical stylings of our nephews.

+

Thanksgiving dinner at my aunt and uncle's in Gilbertsville. 

The big bird, Carol's awesome cheese art, and Cindy's Thanksgiving cocktail:

Pre and during dinner scenes:

The set table, my beloved can cranberry sauce, and my first plate artfully arranged so the food doesn't touch.  This is extremely important.

My grammatical OCD took over, and I had to correct an error on a packaged cocktail napkin. 

No apostrophe after the you. Really cocktail people?

I also caught Grandmom mid-turkey pick. Classic.

We had a lot of fun and a lot of wine. It was a full and lovely day.

+

On Friday morning on our way upstate, Debbie and I stopped at DD.

I sampled the red velvet donut. Meh.

+

Friday was full of gluttony and sloth. I enjoyed every bit of it.

+

Saturday flurries.

+

Jingle This Sleigh Ride for Small Business Saturday.

We pile in a car and jackass around a number of towns, frolicking and full of tomfoolery. 

It's always a good time.

Scenes:

Sleigh ride sustenance: broccoli bacon bites and mint hot chocolate cut with some coffee. 

Nimble Hill Winery's cabernet franc is my new jam.

I cannot resist presidential items in antiquey stores. MFD and I love that shit.

I wanted that Buddah so badly, but couldn't part with the $150 to get it. 

+

While I love the Sleigh Ride, my favorite part of Thanksgiving Saturday is this: 

drinking wine, in my pajamas, at 3:30 in the afternoon. 

+

We enjoyed lots of wine, an array of dips and snacks, and Catch Phrase. 

Jack even put his name on his plate to conserve materials.

+

Big breakfast a la Jack before heading home on Sunday

+

When I got home, I meant to do some hausfrauing, 

but Geege snuggled into my neck and pulled me to the nap side.

+

Family dinner at Mom & Rich's since we didn't see them on Thanksgiving. 

+

The weekend in shoes:

=

the weekend that was

I'm so happy I got to see so many of my people this weekend. Happy and grateful.

My body is not grateful for all the naughty foods I've eaten. Veggies are going to be comin' in hot this week, you guys. 

Last week of November? Let's do this. 

I'm linking up with Sami's Shenanigans, Five30three, and Join the Gossip for Weekend Update.

the pre-Halloween weekend that was

Pumpkin chocolate chip bread baked while wearing polka dot pajama pants and a Dirty Dancing tee. 

Come to mama.

+

Spinach dip for Saturday

+

Extra crispy Ellio's pizza and a gasping snorting fit of laughter while watching Parks & Rec.

"Jerry, did you eat farts for lunch?"

Proving once again that farts are always funny. 

And so is Parks & Rec.

+

Pasta-less lasagna.

I'd omit the italian seasoning next time. Make sure you salt the ground turkey.
It came out of the oven watery, so drain it and you'll be good to go.

Hearty and healthy. 

+

Sunday soup made on Saturday: veggie beef barley.

Just like Mom Mom used to make. 

+

I had to use tomato paste, and had a bunch left over.
I froze it in tablespoon size portions using the ever handy ice cube tray.

+

Happily cleaning up from a productive Friday night in the kitchen at 11:30 p.m. 

Times have changed.

+

Cutest boys ever.

Friday night issues: I picked a huge fat tick off of Geege, 

and Gus had a toenail issue so he was up all night. 

Which meant I was up all night.

\MFD had to take him to the vet on Saturday, and he was weird the rest of the weekend. My poor boy.

+

Saturday morning's coffee was so so necessary.

If you're in Philly, head to Mugshots for yours!

+

Bath & Body Works has the perfect size candles for my Buddah candle holder. 

+

Changing pictures in frames to the back drop of
Gossip Girl, Hart of Dixie, The Good Wife, and college football.

+

A trip to Redner's for some gallons of water, pimentos and pumpkin.
Why do people load up on perishable items before storms? I saw a man with four cartons of eggs.
I got water because one of my greatest fears is to be without water when I need a drink.
If you see me sitting in my house, there will always be a glass next to me.
Agua issues.

+

Halloween prep.
I was ready for a full 45 minutes before MFD was ready.
This is nothing out of the ordinary in our house.
Thanks to my mother and father-in-law for staying over with the dogs!
We were Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky. Tasteless, I know.

+

Good times at Jill & Frank's Annual Halloween Party.
I enjoyed one million swedish fish vodka drinks, there were fabulous dips to be had, I Hate Dead Rabbits was the required firepit saying, MFD wore different costumes in his unique way, and the party was a lot of fun like it is every year.
I went to bed smelling like fire pit smoke and singing Kenny's original composition in my head.

+

Sunday morning I dropped MFD off at his mummer clubhouse.

+

I decided to stop at Sam's since I have a business membership and few others would be there.
I did end up seeing my uncle in the parking lot, which was fun.
My small haul: healthy, healthy, healthy...and damn good.

+

TV catch-up
Duck Dynasty. Roberts family, can I meet you? Pretty please?
The Big Bang Theory
The Office
Suburgatory

+

Sunday dinner:
pimento cheese chicken, mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli.
If I'm making mashed potatoes on Sunday, they're loaded with butter and some sour cream.
Not the light version, in other words.
Thanks to Shelby at Big Hungry Shelby for the link to the pimento cheese baked chicken.

+

Hurricane freezer prep: fill baggies with water and put them in the nooks and crannies in your freezer.
They'll freeze solid and if your power goes out, will help to keep your food cold longer.
Or they can be used in coolers. Thanks to Suzi for this tip last year around Irene time!
When the threat is over, let them thaw in the sink and reuse the bags.
MFD makes fun of me when I do this, but like everything else in life,
I like to hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

+

A notification from work that we'd be closed on Monday.
Working from home it is!

+

Laundry, vacuuming, fresh sheets and a pre-bed shower.
Fresh sheets are heaven, I do declare.

+

Revenge.
How can a show be this good?

=
the weekend that was

Dear universe: please don't let Sandy be as bad as predictions, and pretty please let all the trees around our house remain intact and standing. AMEN HOLLER. 

Love you all like Emily loves Revenge. Stay safe this week if you're in the path of Frankenstorm.

I'm linking up with Sami's Shenanigans, Five30three, and Join the Gossip for Weekend Update.