Back from a fantabulously fun and interesting Thanksgiving vacation in Michigan, even if the weather was far too cold for us east coasters' systems now (in the 20s and 30s and we saw snow flurries, blech). We had amazingly good luck with our travel, with both to and from travel on time with no problems. The more I do it, the more I love flying again (up until I had to for job hunting purposes last winter I was terrified of it, like nightmares, medication, and crying scared), and it was so fun to do with the kidlet (even if they have the smallest seats I've seen and make you buy snacks on this airline, not even a complimentary bag of pretzels!).
The food was, of course, amazing, as it always is at the folk's abode. The usual turkey and fixings dinner was as good as it's ever been and each year it gets easier and easier. The most interesting part of that day is always the appetizers, which feature some usual staples that we love (pigs in a blanket, stuffed mushrooms, bacon wrapped pineapple and water chestnuts) and some new ones each year (baby artichokes with sausage, lemon and sage, thank you Tyler Florence, and incredible smoked salmon tartare in a stacked presentation). Other evenings' meals included gourmet pizzas (white spinach garlic pizza and fajita pizza varieties) and a seafood stew stocked with shrimp, scallops and king crab legs. Good wine completed each meal, and sometimes even by itself while we completed a rediculous jigsaw puzzle as a family.
We hit the most dangerous city in the country and got to do some really cool things. It was the grand reopening of the DIA where we saw art by some famous and not so famous folks, we had a fabulous lunch in greek town at a place that could have been right out of My Big Fat Greek Wedding (opa!). The sis and I hit one of the greek casinos while down there, where I turned my five dollars (high rollers, you see) into twenty bucks. These guys beat out the Sixers in a thrilling last seconds win and we got to drink our eight dollar Bud Lights and eating our contraband leftover turkey sandwiches while watching it.
So now we're home again, and we found the dogs extremely well tended to by the new petsitters (a HUGE relief knowing we can travel again without that worry over our heads). A quick grocery shop on the way in and some general cleaning to do today to get the house back in order, and we'll start getting ready for Christmas! The tree is already up, the lights on the outside of the house are hung and the candles are in the windows. This week we'll work on the inside decorations and get the wreath hung. It's time to start baking cookies and planning menus (which always include beef wellington on Christmas Day). The beach house is also finished inside (minus things like painting that my folks will be doing once they get there) so we'll be going to the best place in the world again over the holiday break to check things out. Hard to believe this summer we'll be there most weekends (for free!) and our future holidays will be there from now on (hasta la vista and good riddance midwest).
Things are as good as they've ever been for the most part. I'm happy, we're healthy and this new year promises good things and good times. Overall, a successful Thanksgiving with anticipation for the bright future. Good times, good times.
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