We started the day with brunch with Greg and his girlfriend, Kim. We had only met her once at Kevin and Molly's wedding two and a half years ago. Then she moved to Boston. So it was extra fun to have her at the table and learn more about her. And yes, we liked her very much.
Our dinner on Thursday was lovely -- just the two of us. Our main course was shrimp and grits. (I recommend this recipe by Bobby Flay -- and use lots of shrimp because it's just as good the next day! Rick brought his delicious bread, made fresh that morning.)
Should I ever be executed, please remember that Shrimp and Grits is my first choice for a last meal.
I went off the grid and did something one should never do on a holiday -- make something I'd never made before. But since it was just us, I thought, "Why not?"
So, I made collard greens to go with the shrimp and grits. We had no idea how we'd like it but they were surprisingly good, even as leftovers. Also new on the menu was acorn squash in the crock pot with just a bit of brown sugar and pie spice. I know I got that from one of you and thank you. I'd link to your blog if I could remember which it was!
We rounded that off with cranberries and vanilla-caramel ice cream with baked apples for dessert.
I was up early the next day to start decorating for Christmas. As much as I want to do this and love to, I'm a little slower than I planned. I think I just want to get it right -- all the "same" but with a different twist. My newest furniture purchase was this hutch, a Hitchcock Fenwick step back cupboard. It was a great deal at the antique store and it matches my mom's Hitchcock chairs perfectly! Stay tuned for the Christmas reveal!
Meanwhile, on Saturday it was Thanksgiving II! This time with turkey!
We were joined by Greg and our friends Byron, Joe and Jeaneen.
It was Joe's birthday! Let them eat cake!
Byron, Joe and Rick are part of a classical music trio, so the time together included a little practice, too!
It wouldn't be the holidays without a Lizzie photo -- she's loving the wheat grass I brought her home from the store!
And check out my geranium! When it got cold, I brought it inside. I've heard you can weather them over the winter by withholding water and putting them in a dark place so as soon as it dries out and I can actually lift the pot, it's going downstairs!
Here's to the holiday season! Let's start celebrating!
We need a little laughter!
I love it when Thanksgiving flows like lava into subsequent days.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great time was had by all- The food looks very delicious, and I am glad you have already chosen your last meal just in case! Have a great day, hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeleteYou had a great time!
ReplyDeleteI love shrimp and grits too..although I am wondering now if we make it correctly..I first tried it at Bistro Nolah and we recreated it..lol but I think we may be way off:)
Fun fun for you,and Ricks bread looks perfect.I love when my son-in-law plays guitar..this must have been lovely.
Terrific! it sounds like your Thanksgiving went on and on... definitely the best sort of celebration!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a good time had by all! Everything looked so yummy! Have a great week, Jeanie!!
ReplyDeleteWonderful to see your beautiful table settings and holiday chinaware, and learn about your cooking adventures! As you moved from turkey to shrimp, we moved from turkey to fish -- both cod and salmon. With salad made from raw veggies, for us. Salad is really a contrast to the feasting foods. When you think about it the traditional preparatiosn date to a former era and former food ways. And as holidays are for friends and family, I'm happy to be a friend that knows about your family!
ReplyDeletelove to all of you... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Those turkey plates are so neat. I don't know why I never got any. I've always thought they looked so great on the table and kind of fun.
ReplyDeleteColor me impressed that Rick makes bread. How long has he been doing that. H wants to try his mother's potato rolls. I'm not much with yeast, but we're going to give it a try one day.
That Hitchcock cupboard is lovely. My friend and I used to do a lot of antiquing back in the day. I remember how excited she was when she scored six Hitchcock chairs. Those were the days.
I know I would love shrimp and grits. My brother gave me five pounds of shrimp on Thanksgiving. They are frozen, but they are great shrimp, as good as any fresh I've tasted. I have to try that shrimp and girts recipe.
Greg and Kim make a very cute couple. It's nice when they grow up and bring the girl home... especially when you like her. Sweet.
We had collards on Thanksgiving, too. My sister-in-law's mother makes them every year. They're a staple down here.
Now onward to the decorating.
Two feasts, yum. I will look up that grit recipe, even though i am fond of shrimp. Maybe I could replace them with something else.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a grand time decorating.
You've been busy! Your shrimp and grits dinner looks pretty special. ;)
ReplyDeleteWow! What a wonderful celebration! I loved all the photos, food, music and stories. Thank you for sharing a memorable family event! Loved it!
ReplyDeleteHugs, Jody ♥
I love all your feasting and celebrating. Shrimp and grits, not something I have ever had. Must be good if you are requesting it as a last meal. May the decorating commence. Enjoy! Oh and Lizzie, enjoy your grass. I think if I gave that to Joey, he would chew then throw it up.
ReplyDeleteLove all the happy pictures! And your pretty plates! I love to make/eat shrimp and grits as well, they are so good, and filling too. Did you use long cook or instant? I do okay with both. I bet y'all enjoyed that music...that would be so nice! that new hutch is very nice, can't wait to see what you do to "holiday it"! I love hutches, and china cabinets, and curio cabinets. Mine are STUFFED with delicates/breakables/fragiles as well as many souvenirs and special knick-knacks and gifts.
ReplyDeleteWell Shrimp and Grits is not your typical Thanksgiving dinner, but sounds delicious to me! I had them in Charleston and loved them. I'll have to try that recipe. Greg is so handsome and his girlfriend is a cutie. Love her smile! I've never had collard greens, but they look good. Glad you got to celebrate with your son and friends on Sat. as well.
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann
The best thing about your first Thanksgiving? The plates and other tableware. Sorry, dear, I don't much like grits, or collard greens. I would like the squash, though. You sound like you had a southern Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteSince I'm not a turkey person, I would look to the veggies to fill me up. Never thought to buy wheat grass for the boys, but I do think Lizzie likes it.
For the past two years, I've had the same geranium. I've brought it in, water as usual, and put it out once it gets warm in late April. I've never thought to reduce its water intake, so we shall see if yours or my geranium survives better over the winter. Mine also gets sunlight because I've placed it in a southerly exposure.
Thanks for sharing your wonderful meals with us, even if I'm not fond of grits and collard greens.
Good Morning Jeanie,
ReplyDeleteI love the details of your home and your meals, I would love that collard green recipe. Living in the Southern region of the U.S. I not only buy collard greens I grow them in my garden!
Shrimp and grits...heavenly.
I too moved slower with decorating this year, as I was much more thoughtful.
Finally finished though and the hardwoods all got a good cleaning yesterday!
Have a beautiful Tuesday,
Jemma
Sounds like a wonderful time was had by all.
ReplyDeleteThat dessert sounds especially tasty... Mmm!
Yes, it's time to let the holidays begin! I started my Christmas shopping yesterday, so the holidays have officially started here.
What a lovely Thanksgiving you enjoyed Jeanie. The food, the guests (cute couple) and you and Rick, beautiful! We enjoyed family here and had the traditional fare Thursday then it was our #1 team playing our state rival in football on Saturday (we won, yay)l. BBQ on football Saturdays, wonderful. My husband Jim passed by as I am reading your post and saw the pic of the lovely flowers and Lizzie and asked who is this. I told him about my friend Jeanie and he said to say hello. I know your Christmas reveal will be worth the wait, love the cupboard!!!!! Hugs.......
ReplyDeleteCollards and grits....sounds pretty southern for a northern girl:)
ReplyDeleteNice hutch and beautiful geranium.
Glad you had a great one. Hugs,
Extending the holiday is the best...such a lovely table and the food looks delicious...hmmm...shrimp and grits...perfect! Looking forward to seeing your Christmas reveal. :)
ReplyDeleteYour Thanksgiving and post Thanksgiving celebration looks wonderful. Loving all the food♥
ReplyDeleteYour Thanksgiving weekend looks wonderful. I like the idea of celebrating afterwards, when it is more convenient for everyone. Shrimp and grits look good, although I've never tried it before. I am also decorating a bit, a little every day... I like t get it done over the Thanksgiving weekend, but the hubby wanted to go out, and so I figured it was better for him to get out and walk rather than decorate. Last night I actually put the tree into the tree stand without the hubby's help. So proud of myself. :) Have fun. Hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteJeanie, shrimp and grits work for me...your meal sounds delicious. I am slower with my decorating this year, I think because we have what feels like an extra week! Blessings~
ReplyDeleteIt all looks so pretty and I love that you did shrimp and grits. My mom and grandparents loved seafood but I can't get my hubby on board to eat it.
ReplyDeleteHe is so stubborn.
Your Thanksgiving feast looks wonderful, Jeanie. I've never had shrimp and grits before, but it sure looks good. I noticed your hutch in the background. That looks so charming, is it an antique? What a lovely picture of Greg and his girlfriend. How fun that they all got together to play music after. I love music of all kinds. Yes, we definitely have much to be thankful for.
ReplyDelete~Sheri
Friends, FOOD, music, laughter, what else would one need?
ReplyDeleteA wonderful holiday. I'll bet the music practice was more like a concert! Love to all of you.
ReplyDeleteYes, we had days of Thanksgiving too! Not so unusual anymore. Yours looks like it was lively and lovely. Not sure about the shrimp and grits! haha! Thanks so much for your cheerful visits. You always give me a lift!
ReplyDeleteTwo Thanksgivings sounds like the perfect way to celebrate! All of the food and decorations look great.
ReplyDeleteI love shrimp and grits. I never make it, though, because Nick hates all seafood, and it's just not worth to make it just for me.
So, was this your first time eating collard greens, or just your first time making them? I'm glad you enjoyed them.
Happy Holidays!
I would double check the info on your geranium. My sense is that you might have a dead geranium by spring. We always had good luck just keeping them in a coolish room with indirect light, but they did get watered. Mom had some that she kept as long as four or five years that way. Down here, of course, we have to bring them into the air conditioning in the summer!
ReplyDeleteI've been sitting here trying to figure out who Kim reminds me of. She looks to much like "somebody" -- and I think it's a public figure. I just don't know who. Take a look and see what you think.
You are right about the geranium. We put ours in the basement each winter and leave it alone. It always comes back to life in the spring. It takes a bit to come back and will look pretty dead but it works! We've had our for 3 summers now!
ReplyDeleteYour Thanksgiving all sound wonderful! How fun that you had a chance to have a non-traditional meal for the first one! Shrimp and grits sounds delicious!!!
It's great that Rick's sons have chosen such lovely women to have in their lives!!