Thanksgiving 2013

Well, this has been a very interesting Thanksgiving for me this year. Usually I'm the one sitting back out of the way, not sure where I can help with the food preparations. Leaving it all up to the more experienced cooks and moms.  Not sure if this makes others think I don't want to help, but really I usually just feel like I'm in the way. But not this year. This year my mother was out of town, and going to be spending Thanksgiving with our relatives in Oregon City, OR. Which left the responsibility of the meal entirely on my shoulders. She took me shopping last Saturday to make sure I had everything I needed. And that was that.

I'm happy to say, I only had to cook for me, my dad, my brother and my grandma. And considering everything I think I did a pretty good job.

I began cooking last night, so I didn't have as much to do today.

I cooked some rolls, adding a little bit of butter on top as they cooked.

Made some fluffy jello, Doug let me add some fruit cocktail to it after I removed the pineapple.

And I tried out a new recipe for cheesecake pumpkin pie. Turned out really good.

I also boiled some eggs for the deviled eggs that we would make today. So with all those out of the way I headed to bed, spending the night in my parents new guest bedroom. It wasn't too bad.

Then this morning I got up and flipped open my laptop to see if I could find a copy of one of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parades. And turned it on while I got back to work.

What's Thanksgiving without a parade on the TV. I was also enjoying the view of my parent's new backyard. the fall colors are so pretty.

I had a little visitor as well.

 First off I started in on the Key Lime pie. Knowing it had to chill in the fridge for 3 hours.

By the time I had finished with the pie and had shelled all the eggs. I got reinforcements in the form of my grandma. I sat her down at the breakfast table and put her to work.

She cut up the celery and spread some cheese and peanut butter on them.

Then she helped put together the green bean casserole.

Had to keep her from eating all the dried onions.

Here she is showing great concentration making the deviled eggs.

As for my other "helpers" well....Doug was asleep until right before the turkey was done and this was what Dad was up too.
 

Yep he was working hard. But you got to love um. While they were occupied I got started on the rest of the meal.

I went simple....can't go wrong with Stove Top Stuffing.

Grandma insisted that we add some celery, which in turn caused Doug not to eat it...oh well.

As for the potatoes, I didn't want to kill myself with boiling and pealing so I cheated....but they were really good.

I also made some gravy from a packet. And when the green beans were done. We stuck in the turkey. Now while out shopping for a turkey we came across these little boneless turkey balls. They looked like hams. And they only took two and a half hours to cook.

I know not very traditional of me, but I was trying not to stress myself out. And they tasted really good. While the turkey was in the oven, we relaxed a little bit.

And Doug finally graced us with his presence.

He was a little disappointed that I didn't wait for him to open the cranberry can. But when he didn't get up in time, what could I do.

Then we set the table and sat down to eat.

All in all I think I was successful. I didn't kill anyone with my cooking and it turned out pretty good. I was thankful for the opportunity to prove that I can cook a big meal by myself. I just have to get creative.