Our First Thanksgiving

Today was our first Thanksgiving Day as a married couple. We are grateful for many things and both feel very blessed this year. For one, our sealing this November was a highlight which has enriched our lives. It has been a delight moving from our first date, to dating, being engaged and now coming full circle and starting a new relationship as a married couple.

What would the day be like without a few dishes to pass the time? We reminisced about last year's feast; Mandie and I worked Thanksgiving Day last year but still got together before I had to drive home. Mandie had made a delicious homemade apple pie.

Mandie made everything while I was asleep and before I returned home from work.

Squash Soup: baked butternut squash ran through a food mill for texture before finishing on the stove top

Turkey Breast: soaked in a brine overnight and baked in cast iron cookware

Bean Green Casserole: blanched fresh green beans to keep them crispy and greeny were baked in a cast iron skillet with a fresh mushroom rue

Caramelized Onions with Gratin Potatoes: sliced with a food mandolin to get really thin slices then baked

Sides: Honey Glazed Carrots, Cranberry Sauce, and Dinner Rolls

Key Lime Pie: freshly squeezed key limes were added to heavy cream and sweetened condensed milk... it tasted like delicious sweet-tart ice cream on a graham cracker crust

Banana Pumpkin Pie: baked bananas and sugar pumpkins were blended together and finished with a meringue topping .. I was a bit worried at first but wow it was delicious.