What a wonderful Holiday. I’m sure I say this every year. I LOVE Thanksgiving, the name that represents so much, the gathering of friends and family, and yes, the food.
West and Cam brought an appetizer plater, how great is this!
Turkey, getting ready to go into the oven. This year I used Alison Romans’ Turkey recipe. I did a dry brine, a rub with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Stuffed it full of fresh herbs and put it on a bed of onions and turnips. First time using a baking sheet, not the roasting pan. I like everything about this recipe.
Three and a half hours later. Oh, I did tent it with foil half way through, it was getting dark enough. Then it sat and rested for over an hour and my son carved it – no burnt fingers – and oh my – juicy and tasty! Since it was a kosher turkey – most of the leftovers when home with two of my kids who eat kosher as well. Enough for a sandwich or two for me and Joel.
The food from both directions. I had people bring the green bean casserole, salad and desserts. Didn’t get a picture of the three pies or the chocolate covered strawberries – but boy were they yummy.
Two thirds of the grandkids, hard to get them to not cover their faces. The other two showed up shortly after these picture. There was a lot of ruckus and hullabaloo, not sure how many lemons are left on my tree….
Notice the red drink by Einav, I was making fall cocktails for the adults – with maple syrup, or apple brandy. So I mixed some apple juice, red grapefruit juice and the holy grail of Grenadine for the grandkids – they deserve their own cocktails.
Westley and Cam slept over, we had pumpkin pancakes for breakfast, then we went over to lake Balboa to try out the paddle boats.
Geese crossing the road.
out on the swan boat. Westley peddled the whole way. Cams’ legs were a little short. So Joel and I traded off.
First time for me to be on the lake. And here is the whole fleet of the swan boats, with some ducks on the water. We did see a real swan – he was trying to attack a dog on shore.
This would be a very easy kayak ride.
The cormorants need to dry off by flapping their wings, so the pipe that sticks out of the water is perfect for them. A couple of ducks preening, they have enough oil that the water rolls off.
Cam has learned how to do the monkey bars. He said it hurt his hands, but knowing him, he’ll try again and again.
They ended up joining two soccer games, one at Balboa Park, then when we drove them home, we stopped at their local park and they joined a game there. We stayed for dinner and went to an amazing Tunisian restaurant right by the kids, Barsha, if you are ever in Hermosa Beach – GO!
Leah