Happy Thanksgiving!
How’s that for a good lookin’ turkey?
Ryan’s mom, Diane, clearly outdid herself. She prepped for days in advance and all her work paid off. We had the most wonderful Thanksgiving feast!
I loved being part of such a fun, bustling day full of good food, family, laughter and lots of eating!
I think Sadie enjoyed the day as well…
I’m going to go out on a limb here and say Thanksgiving is her favorite holiday. Lots of tasty scraps were thrown her way by multiple family members. Once one person was all tapped out of scraps, she hit up the next innocent eater… Well, those that beckoned to her by wiggling turkey meat under the table, anyway. 😉
Ryan and I spent the night at Diane’s and woke up early to tackle our own walking version of a Turkey Trot. We took Sadie on a 3.5 mile walk over a long bridge in downtown Sarasota.
When we came home, we got ready and helped set things up for the big feast. My family drove in town to join the fun. 
They came bearing appetizers, with one resembling a turkey!
After chatting and nibbling on veggies, bruschetta and shrimp cocktail, we filled our plates with turkey, mashed potatoes, candied sweet potatoes, cinnamon carrots with bacon, chestnut stuffing, corn casserole, cranberry sauce and pear and raspberry salad.
I am not the kind of girl who eats things one at a time. I dabble in everything all at once and revel in the different bursts of flavor. I cleaned my plate and went back for seconds of the sweet potatoes, carrots and stuffing.
With full bellies, we took a break from eating for a bit to hang around outside and feed the cows that backup onto Diane’s yard.
They love fresh oranges! 
Watching the cows inhale sweet, juicy oranges clearly sparked our dessert cravings, because before long we found ourselves back inside for pie, pumpkin mousse, plum torte and a pumpkin roll!
Yes, the aforementioned pumpkin mousse would be Ryan’s ice bath mousse. We made it and loved it. 
Though the mousse did require some crazy steps like placing it in an ice bath, the extra effort was worth it, and it was delicious when served atop a homemade pumpkin roll.
The Thanksgiving celebration concluded in the backyard, after several games of bocce ball, lots of stories and a lot of laughter. 
It was sad to say goodbye to my family, but we’re heading their way tomorrow!
Once everyone was gone, Ryan, Diane, her boyfriend and I piled into Diane’s car to head to the movies to see the latest Harry Potter movie.
I’ve read all the books and seen all the movies and I was quite a big fan of this one! To be totally honest, I thought it was going to drag a lot, based on the beginning of the seventh book (they were in the forest for-ev-er), but the movie flew by. I can’t wait to see part two!
Now we’re back and Diane and I are the only ones still standing. Everyone is dropping like flies after such a fun-filled day. I think I may be next…
Goodnight and Happy Thanksgiving!
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Looks like such a fun Thanksgiving! Its so strange to me to see you all dressed so summery… it was in the 20s and 30s in Massachusetts!! Glad your first married THanksgiving was so great!
lol, that’s exactly what I was thinking! There was snow on the ground here.
The picture of Ryan with the pumpkin mousse trifle is hysterical.
ah yum! Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Yummy!!!!! Everything looks soo good!!! Happy Thanksgiving!
Nice job on the mousse! Looks like a blast 🙂
Happy Thanksgiving Julie! That dessert looks amazing!!!!
Happy Thanksgiving for yesterday! Looks like you had a great day! 😀
That pumpkin trifle looks amazing!!
Sounds like it was a fun and delicious day! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! 🙂
Looks like you both had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We had snow flurries where I live. Glad to hear you enjoyed Harry Potter. I saw it the day it came out and can’t wait for part 2 either.
Sounds like a lot of fun! Happy Thanksgiving!
I’ve already seen HP twice and it’s flown by both times. I cried like a baby at the end…so excited for part 2!!
Glad you had such a wonderful Thanksgiving. And I love your outfit!!
I cried like a baby about Dobby in the book AND in the theaters. He’s my favorite!
That turkey shaped appetizer is TOO CUTE! And so is Sadie 😉
Glad you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, you and Ryan have many more to come!
Meg
Looks SO good!! Love the Turkey snack plate 😛 Glad you had a happy Thanksgiving!
Looks like a fun day!
That looks like such a fun, relaxing holiday! I miss my (Canadian) Thanksgiving already.
I can’t wait to see Harry Potter! I’m glad you liked it. I found most people ended up really enjoying it. I can’t believe there’s only one more movie. 🙁
oh i love the turkey snack plate 🙂 what a cute idea!
A Silpat is the best thing that’s ever happened to my baking endeavors. I definitely agree with that recommendation!
And I love the dress you wore on T Giving — so sweet — where is it from?
thanks so much! i got it at nordstrom rack… the brand is matty m.
Looks like you had a really fun filled day. Happy Thanksgiving!
That turkey cheeseball is such a cute idea!
Atleast it was warm where you live! I love the chic dress and boots combo, stylin!
The Turkey veggie appetizer tray was really creative! I never would have thought to do something like that. It was a great idea!
I was just wondering why the turkey skin looks like that? Does your family cook it a special way?
So weird to see you guys in shorts and tanks on thanksgiving! I dont think i could ever wrap my head around the seasons no matching the weather! HAHAHA