So Much to Be Thankful For

Another awesome Thanksgiving in the books. 

The Braus invited me to their Thanksgiving dinner on Wednesday. That was a blast. Jay was home from law school, family friend Arin was there, Kamiko and Bekki, Jim, Michelle, and me. We had a ham feast, complete with funeral potatoes, yummy salads, rolls, and I brought a lemon cream and chocolate cream pie. It was so fun. We played scum after dinner and I didn't do too horribly. We also did virtual reality. That was fun. The Brau family are a blessing in my life. I love them so much. The day before going, I got a crazy idea to make Michelle a Christmas apron. I facetimed Bekki to have her help me pick out fabric. We went with a light blue and green Christmas print that I was first drawn to. Kamiko said the lemon cream pie I made was the best pie I'd ever made. Mel and I stopped at JDawgs on our way home that night to share a hot dog and to try their new French fries. They are really delicious, even if they're a bit cold because the place is about to close. 

This year, because I don't have a lot of visitors at my house, I took the poster to work to have my Tuesday classes write on it. My primary activity kids also wrote on it. My favorite...Melia's first contribution..."Our King Jeff Probst" We love Survivor!

After the gym, in front of my thankful poster, making pies

The Crocketts were in town from Colorado, so I joined them on Thanksgiving Day at the theater. Karen and I went on a walk that morning. We saw "King Richard," a movie about Serena and Venus Williams and their dad. They are two of the best tennis players and they have a very non-traditional road to pro tennis, thanks to their dad. In addition to Karen and all kids, Scott and Candice Crockett and some of their kids were there. We always love our Crockett time. The kids were with Keenan at a restaurant. I also did some cooking in preparation for dinner on Friday. Somehow the kids talked me into making a full spread on Friday. I spatchcocked and prepped my turkey for dry brine. I was very proud. Watched a tutorial for help. Also hoped I wouldn't impale myself with my kitchen scissors or my chef's knife. I lived to write this, so it all worked out just great. I had invitations to Starlyn's and mom and dad's but was really happy to just be cooking and go to the movie. A great day! I have so much for which to be grateful. 

Karen and I tried the zipline on our walk

Movie with Crocketts. I'm always front row. Crocketts are always back row. Back: Connor, Cooper, Allie, Chase, Candice, Alan, Elle, Sam. Front: Anya, me, Karen

Look at those rolls!

She doesn't look great, but she was wonderful

My lovely friend RaDawn doesn't generally like Thanksgiving, so I made her an apron years ago to wear. It lets her feel like she's getting a hug and encouragement from me. She sent me this picture on Thanksgiving morning.

Pre-oven

Pre-oven

Friday was a great day. Made beautiful rolls. Again, watched a tutorial to know how to shape rolls perfectly and it worked. Thanks Mel's Kitchen Cafe! My TA Thomas knows how to do it and I wanted to teach myself. They looked like Rhodes rolls. Perfectly round. They also tasted good. I had made apple pie and mashed potatoes on Thursday. Friday left me with turkey and cranberry sauce and gravy. Again, I tried my skills that I've honed in teaching my advanced class and made yummy gravy. I forgot to add some umami in the form of a splash of soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce. I'll do it next time. Since Karen was in town, Jenny wanted to come down and see her. Scott was out of town and I had invited Jenny to join me and my kids for turkey. Karen ended up coming too. I invited Allison and James and kids to come after for pie. Alan and all 4 Crockett kids and mom also came over for pie. It was so much fun. We had about 15 people here. We only had 1/2 of a Costco pumpkin pie and an apple pie, but it miraculously fed all of us, like the loaves and the fishes. Side note...we have good walls. Our neighbors did not hear all o15 of us. It was pure joy. 

Karen Crockett, James DeVuyst, and me

Me, Chase Crockett, Jenny Sykes, and Alan Crockett

Sam and Elle Crockett with Grandma Hunter

Kamiko and Melia with aunt Karen

Grandma and Bekki

Alan Crockett and Allison DeVuyst

Saturday, after all the Thanksgiving festivities, I decorated for Christmas. 

A new decoration from Jenny is the triangle gnome and believe sign. They're both reversible for Halloween. The gnome is a candy corn on the back. 

No little kids, so I set up the advent calendar for things I want and I love it. 

It was hard to go back to work after Thanksgiving. Last year, due to Covid, we finished the semester on campus at Thanksgiving. The rest of the semester was completed remotely. It was hard to go back for 2 more weeks, but we did it. I do love my job, but I also love vacation. 

Debbie gave me this cute Joy to the World quilted pillow