Happy Thanksgiving

This is our first Thankgiving dinner in over two years as we have been in non-practising countries.  Americans thinks the rest of the world celebrates it too and always seem surprised that it is an American tradition.  The centrepiece of Thanksgiving is the turkey and it becomes a source of obsession for cooks - how long to cook it for, how not to over cook, not to undercook, what to do with the 20 lbs of leftovers.  Anyway, I brined mine.  It is a sure guarantee of a moist turkey. 

Basic recipe: 1 cup of salt for every gallon of water.  Stick the turkey in the saline solution for up to 24 hours.

Here is our turkey at the halfway mark.  It is looking beautiful.  Another hint, don't cover the turkey in tinfoil.

Kathryn and Tim came to visit over the holidays and helped prepare most of the dinner - that is Kathryn did.  Tim helped Fred watch the football game.  The reason they are on our bed is because the only room with tv is the bedroom.

By early afternoon our friends Bernie and family had arrived with lots of very yummy appetizers.  Here is Bernie with her sons Chad and Michael.

Kathryn, Tim and Rick enjoy champagne while Tim pretends to cook.

Bill and Sue, flanked by our faithful Molly.

Summer and Emily played with Thomas the Tankengine.  Emily was a fantastic au-pair all day and kept Summer really occupied.

The Thanksgiving table

All the yummy food.  Nick's southern candied Yams (yams with marshmallows), green beans, butternut squash, stuffing, potatoes, lamb and turkey.  Nobody is quite sure what the glowing red dish is other than it comes from Kansas.

Thanksgiving plate stuffed to the gills

And the best part is that the boys did the wash up.  Nick and Rick in the kitchen.  PS.  I haven't found most of my plates since, where did you guys put them.