even without the stuffing ...

... yesterday was a blissfully perfect day. Our home was full with most of our family, locals {my mom and mil} as well as the little's two girly cousins and their parents from chicago, and my wonderful fil from texas. I missed those who weren't here with us, especially my beautiful mil who passed away a few months ago, but I was so grateful to be surrounded with love by everyone else.

I spent the entire day it seems in the kitchen, while i relished this year. I started around 8am when i began preparing mrs. turkey. She had a rustic chopped veggies & rosemary inside and a butter & chardonnay soaked cheesecloth to keep her warm & moist while roasting. It's truly my most favorite way of cooking a bird, with the cheesecloth, they always turn out so beautiful.

Then once she was in I organized the serving-ware, began making the appetizers and by noon was enjoying some yummy chardonnay and goat cheese & caramelized onion pastry puffs.

mmm. love me a good stomach stretching holiday. ;)

These pictures are the only ones I took yesterday. The man and his father took the little out for a long walk in the morning so the littles could work off some energy and i could have a good hour of quiet before the craziness really began. Thankfully my sil took lots of pictures of the carving and the family, especially some good ones of the grandparents with the grandchildren.

I can't wait to get some copies of those!