I'm thankful for...

We definitely aren't Americans but that didn't stop me from hosting a Thanksgiving Dinner on Friday (American time, you know?).

As you are probably aware, The Husband is obsessed with American sports and declared on Thursday that he would like to eat some turkey to which my brother Joey got on board and low and behold, I was shopping for a turkey by 5pm. 

I also hustled to USA Foods in Moorabbin for some pumpkin pie in a can. I won't lie, I went to coles and looked for pumpkin in a can per the american recipe. What a doofus.

I arrived at USA Foods before they even opened the doors and just loitered out the front until the flipped the sign to 'open'. I can't believe I have never been there before, I was in and out in a flash but am looking forward to going back for some more artery clogging goodness.

Pumpkin Pie in a can. I like how the Americans think. 

I won't lie to you, I was freaking out about cooking a turkey. 

All internet articles mentioned that turkeys are notoriously dry and to just keep on basting them but let me tell you, my turkey was freaking good.

I surprised myself, and everyone else I am betting.

This is the recipe that I followed however my turkey was only about 2.5kg and I cooked it for 2.5 hours, basting it twice. 

No matter what, I always set my cutlery incorrectly. 

I know that it's wrong, I remind myself before I automatically do it, but I still go wrong.

I don't even eat left handed it's just the way my brain functions for some odd reason.

The Husband says "if you know it's wrong, change it" but it's just not that simple.

I didn't have any Thanksgiving themed decorations or place mats so I wrapped the place mats that I do have in a simple yet effective wrapping paper. I'm pretty impressed with my efforts, lets be honest.

It's nice to use the nicer things that don't get love every day. 

Salt & Pepper shakers - Whitehill

Champagne flutes - Vera Wang

Water jug - Don Sheil 

Vases - old spice containers (perfect bud vases)

Serving platters - Vera Wang

Filler flowers? Perhaps. 

Only $8 a bunch at coles? Definitely. 

I sauteed green beans in a shed load of butter and topped with slivered almonds.

Once again, they were delicious and I surprised myself.

My sister in law made delicious cauliflower and cheese, carrots and mash.

I had attempted to make cranberry sauce but it ended up like toffee with hard cranberries. 

Nothing that a can of the premade stuff couldn't sort out.

Joey took this photo of me and my weird bendy fingers without me knowing and Nelly cracks me up, just hanging out chewing on a bean. 

Does this photo make you want to wipe your computer screen? Me too.

Okay so I cheated on the pumpkin pie by using a can and a pre made base and it came back to bite me in the butt.  After cooling the prepared pie for two hours I tried to take it out of the aluminium casing, causing it to crack and begin to die. 

I propped up the cracked part with a teething rusk borrowed from Nelly and though that whipped cream would hide the situation.

A word of advice? Don't cover in whipped cream, it just sinks into the pumpkin pie filling and looks terrible. 

I have to say, I am not a fan of pumpkin pie. It just didn't feel like something that should be a dessert, or eaten at all for the matter. 

Perhaps its an acquired taste, like oysters.

Anyway, our faux thanksgiving was a success and I have too much in my life to be thankful for so I wont detail them here or we will be here all damn day.

Did you whip up a thanksgiving dinner? Where did I go wrong with my cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie?

Tuesday

I took this snap on Saturday at Leahs baby shower.
Nelly was dead set annoyed to be taken out of her car seat and I captured her best Grumpy Cat impersonation perfectly.

I had complete Baby Brain when buying this card as I forgot to grab the envelope, but at least I remembered to write in it! 

After the baby shower I headed home to bake a cake as we were having a few friends around for drinks, but once I got home I realised that I was lacking the energy to even measure out ingredients so I called it quits. 

It was nice to sit outside as during Summer we would walk out there and be eaten alive by mosquitoes but they appear to have headed north for the Winter.

Our outdoor setting is a cheapie from Masters but I love it! 

 

As you can see, there were not any home cooked treats to be dished up to our guests, purely easy to serve stuff. You better believe that there were also party pies and sausage rolls to be consumed. 

Nelly was really unsettled so I spent half the night trying to feed her, clean her, rock her to sleep and then having to pick her up again as she screamed the house down. 

The possum family came to visit whilst we were outside, walking past casually and checking us out.

Those things have no fear.

Speaking of no fear, this is Caesar my mums new cat. 

She got him from the pound and her reasoning behind choosing him was that he was the meanest cat in there and hissed at her when she got close. I guess somebody has to love the under cat.

Caesar is apparently the new rodent and snake expert on the farm. 

We have finally gotten around to putting globes in our lamps, which are coming in handy now thanks to the possum chewing through our wiring.

I was sitting on the couch at 2am feeding Nelly when I heard thumping directly above my head and within minutes the lights were flickering and then went out.  I then heard the possum gallivant away.

I am having de ja vu. Have I already told you this story?

Nelly loves me even with my frizzy hair, dark circles and pimples returning. Love is blind my dear.

The days are all muddled up in my head so hopefully today is actually Tuesday.

Henry turns ONE!

Yesterday we celebrated the first birthday of Henry (but his real birthday is today!) with a birthday extravaganza thrown by Liz and Dave, and to perfection might I add.

On Saturday I headed out to Airport West and picked up 2 giant balloons from UltimateBalloons and then had to drive all the way to Liz in the left lane, sticking my head out the window ever time I wanted to turn and was sweating like a dog because I was so scared that if I put the air con on, the balloons would burst.

It was enough of a struggle to get two of them in my backseat, if they had of burst on the way I would have been devastated. 

Little did I know that Liz had the same bright idea as me, and had already picked up 2 of the giant balloons!  Oh well, you can never have too many balloons. 

The party had a white and yellow color theme so I thought I may as well match, plus I practically live in this jacket anyway.

There was no shortage of sugar, let me tell you that much. 

I know that I have blogged about my dislike for paper straws and wooden cutlery before, but it looks so adorable that I will give it a pass.

These were full of apple juice and water. 

Gender suitable lolly bags for the kids, and you can see mine (and The Husbands) handwork as we tied on the names, I figured that the kids would not notice the sloppy bows – they would be too interested in what was actually in the bags. 

As The Husband and I approached the front door we saw Thomas through the window with his hair sporting an uncontrollable static spike from the balloon. We were practically falling over ourselves with laughter as he didn’t even realize. Too cute.

When he rubbed the balloon on The Husbands head he said “You’ll pop it” – he obviously didn’t trust the spiky hair hahaha. 

Thomas demonstrating the ol’ ‘Lick em and put em back’ trick.

Don’t worry I ate the ones he licked. Even if they were soggy. 

Here we go, the man of the hour!!!

As you can see, a lot of effort went into the detail and every thing matched perfectly! 

Naturally, the candle went out before Henry could blow it out – but only because he put his hand on it!

Then Thomas got sad and wanted to blow out the candle so we sung Happy Birthday to him too. 

Matchy Matchy.

I cant wait until we have kids of our own and I can call on Liz’s Aunty duties to help decorate and plan parties!!

I can see it now – my kids will have a burnt cake with a barbie stuck in the middle, just like the good ol’ days if I am left to my own devices.

When did kids parties get so cool?

You can see Thomas’ 1^st birthday party here! 

I got Henry two of these chairs from Click On Furniture, and Liz is getting him the matching table in blue.

They are so cute!!