Thanksgiving Fiesta Ware

Thanksgiving 2011 Part 2

Usually when making a pot pie we make it with chicken breast and store-bought gravy. Thanksgiving leftovers allow us to make it with turkey and homemade gravy. Our regular pot pie is always great but the one after Thanksgiving is fantastic. We made the one shown above last night.

Thanksgiving 2011

Today turned out to be a beautiful, 59 degree, sunny day. Dale and I took the turkey out around 10:30 and got the neck and giblets out. That damn metal hook thing is always a bugger (you have to push down, not up, on it to get it out). Rinsed it all off and patted it dry. We let it sit for a couple of hours to bring it up to room temperature. Dale had the turkey patted down again, buttered, seasoned and in the oven by 12:30. Basted it every half hour. Made the cranberries at around 2:00. Got the giblets boiling at 2:15 to use in the gravy. Turned the turkey at 2:30. The turkey came out of the oven close to 3:00 so it could rest for an hour. Mom made green bean casserole and sweet potatoes. We ate around 4:00 and it was all delicious. I think it was our best turkey ever. Watched The Bishop's Wife later with Mom and ate pumpkin pie and had coffee. It was a beautiful, relaxing day.

Thanksgiving 2011 - Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

I always get a kick out of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and have to watch at least a part of it every year. It always brings to mind the movie Miracle on 34th Street which Dale and I have watched during Thanksgivings past as the turkey bakes and fills the house with its intoxicating aroma.

Thanksgiving 2011 - Turkey Coloring Contest

This turkey, or a least a version of it, has appeared in the Star Tribune for at least 35 years. I think I did a pretty good job coloring it this year.

Thanksgiving 2011 - The New Roasting Pan

Dale and I bought this new roasting pan from Macy's about a month ago. This one worked beautifully. It also came with a couple of spears for turning the turkey and a baster too.

Thanksgiving 2011 - Basting the Bird

Basting the Bird

Thanksgiving 2011 - Cranberries

Cranberries

Top photo: Just after being put in a cup of water mixed with about 2/3 cups sugar.

Middle: Cranberries with breaking skin as they heat up.

Bottom: The finished product (which, by the way, we forgot to set on the table).

Thanksgiving 2011 - The Bird

The Turkey

It was divine. For the last few years we've used the recipe from Nigella Lawson's book Feast.

Thanksgiving 2011 - The Gravy

Mom always provides coaching when it comes time to make the gravy.

Thanksgiving 2011 - Stuffing

Stuffing. Yes, it was Stove Top and it was delicious, especially with gravy.

Thanksgiving 2011 - Corn

Corn. It's one of my Thanksgiving favorites.

Thanksgiving 2011 - Green Bean Casserole

It's a holiday favorite. Made by Mom.

Thanksgiving 2011 - Sweet Potatoes

Sweet Potatoes. Yum. Made by Mom. I've always liked marshmallows but this is about the only time I ever eat them anymore.

Thanksgiving 2011 - The Pumpkin Pie

Yes, the whipped cream was fresh.