Thanksgiving was a big deal to me this year because it was my first time cooking a turkey. Also, it was my first time hosting a party of 10+ in which the guests weren't expected to graze off a bag of chips, a vegetable plate, and whatever beer could be found in the fridge. This was a CLASSY meal and my first attempt to prove that I was in fact edging my way into adulthood.
My first issue was that I was missing some of the key classy kitchen supplies. When my husband and I were registering for wedding presents, we were living in an apartment with a kitchen the size of a broom closet. I enjoy cooking, but I knew I could not fit half the stuff I wanted in the kitchen. I had to pass on the items that were use-once-maybe-twice-a-year-if-you're-lucky types of things, so I was missing those all important Thanksgiving dinner items: butter dish, gravy boat, and a turkey roasting pan. I know I referred to this as an issue, but it was the best issue to have. It gave me an opportunity to visit Pryde's, the wonderful, local, hole-in-the-wall kitchen store in downtown Westport. They have kitchen crap piled EVERYWHERE. It's orderly, but it's certainly no Bed, Bath, and Beyond. Every inch of this store is taken up, and they have every kitchen doo-hickey you could imagine. I got to enjoy a free cup of coffee while I ogled their gigantic supply of Fiestaware. We got a lot of beautiful Fiestaware for our wedding, and I wanted to continue the colorful trend in my Thanksgiving service. I hadn't been able to find a Fiesta gravy dish in the larger retail stores, and Pryde's had them in every color of the rainbow. I got a beautiful lemongrass gravy boat, because what goes better with brown gravy than bright green (just go with it). My parents, either out of love or trying to make sure I didn't embarrass myself during my first Thanksgiving, rounded out my collection with a Fiesta butter dish in flamingo and a stainless steel turkey roaster.
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| Just like the pilgrims used hundreds of yeas ago. |
So I had my kitchenwares; now I needed to put them to use. It's overwhelming how many different turkey recipes are out there, but lucky for me, Food Network Magazine's November issue was really an idiot's guide to Thanksgiving. I used their basic recipes to make what I think turned out to be a pretty darn good turkey. My gravy was so good that my dad said so, which is a big deal coming from a man who has worked in and around the restaurant industry most of his adult life. My husband made his signature mashed potatoes, and the rest of my family filled in the gaps with all of their delicious sides.
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| 20lbs of beauty |
Apparently making a turkey was not a enough of a challenge, so I also made my own centerpieces based on something I had seen on Pinterest. With the guidance of my husband, I (mostly him) drilled small holes from the tops of gourds and inserted votives. I don't know how safe it was to have open flames on the table as my family handed dishes back and forth, but no one caught on fire from my festive table decorations. I think I learned in leadership class and from Stephen Covey that this is what we call a win-win situation. They win by not being caught on fire. I win because something I took from Pinterest actually worked out.
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| Don't burn yourself reaching for the butter! |
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| Pinterest FTW |
Overall, the first Thanksgiving at our country home was a success. Both the food and the company were exceptional. My favorite part was seeing my family sitting on our porch, swinging on our tree swing, kicking the bouncy ball, using our playset, and enjoying each other's company. It's a great way to break in a home.
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