Trick or Treat

Don't worry, no trick.  The treat is here, the official Halloween post.  We carved our pumpkin on Saturday, can you guess what it is?  

Billy gets the dad of the week award with his effort.  It would have been so much easier to do the triangle eyes and three toothed mouth but Disney just gets you every time.

Still stumped?

 Ariel...and in this picture, she sure looks spooky. 

Grandma Mary, Uncle Sean, Grandma Robin and Grandpa Bill all joined us this year. It was nice to have Grandma Mary and Sean stay back to pass out candy so we could take the kids out.  Lauren was so excited to get her costume on one more time and be able to say "trick or treat."  Kids make the holidays so much better, we have so much to look forward to over the next few months!

(Don't worry...this time Lauren held Wills and Billy was arms reach away)

 She was a sneaky little trick or treater, swiping two and three pieces when she thought no one was looking.  

Having everyone at our house totally brought back memories of my grandparents coming over to see us in our costumes.  They stayed back to pass out candy potato chips, yep, that was our house and then watch us count our loot!

Grandma Mary dug this picture up for me.  Look like anyone?

XOXO

Aubrey

Happy Thanksgiving

You probably thought you'd be tuning into the official Halloween post cuz I know I've got you waiting with baited breath.  Come back tomorrow, I needed to get this in first.

Billy and I had been wanting to cook a turkey for a long time, specifically a smoked turkey, but after totaling the cooking time, we I nixed it.  Roasting seemed like the better option and it being our first, it was time consuming enough.  Your cooking a turkey, you gotta do it T-day style!  What better way to practice for the main event.

 I kept the table simple with a pumpkin centerpiece and an individual leave tucked in to each napkin.  Lauren hand picked each one....

and a whole bunch for her table.

 The meal turned out awesome and all the food paired so well together.  I thought I'd share the recipes with everyone in case you are looking for something new for your Thanksgiving this year.

Apple Cider-Brined Turkey with Savory Herb Gravy

Butternut Squash Bisque (we did it shooter style)  

Courtesy of Jocelyn P.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons butter

1 medium onion, coarsely chopped

2 garlic cloves, sliced

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper plus more for garnish (optional)

Coarse salt

1 large butternut squash (about 4 pounds), peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch cubes ( Jocelyn used 2 packs of Trader Joes pre-cut squash)

4 cups chicken stock

½ - ¾  cup half-and-half

Sour cream, for serving

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place cubed squash on baking sheet and coat with olive oil, salt, pepper and a little cinnamon and ground ginger. Roast approximately 45 – 50 minutes or until soft and golden brown

In a large saucepan, heat butter over medium. Add onion, garlic, thyme, cinnamon, and cayenne. Season with salt, and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened, 5 to 7 minutes.

Add squash, chicken stock and half-and-half. Bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer, and cook until squash is tender, about 20 minutes.

Working in batches, puree with an immersion blender or blender until smooth. Serve bisque with sour cream and/or bacon bits.

Sausage, Apple, and Fennel Corn Bread Dressing

Courtesy of Cooking Light and prepared by Jocelyn P.

 (pictured at bottom right)

 I also made mashed potatoes (nothing fancy) and a homemade apple pie, which I'm not going to share...some things are a secret!

Mr. and Mrs. M brought a spinach salad with raspberries, apples, pine nuts, bacon,  Gorgonzola cheese and homemade raspberry vinaigrette dressing.  And a side of brussel sprouts that were put in the food processor, then roasted in olive oil and mixed with parmesan cheese.

It was a great meal with great company.

 And these cuties aren't so bad either!

XOXO


Aubrey