Prepping for Thanksgiving Number Two!

Roasting my second Turkey......ever.

Side note: I was trying to be funny about my sucky ass birthday in yesterday's post.......I actually had a blast celebrating with girl friends a few days before my birthday, my Mom took me to breakfast a couple of days before my birthday and gave me a Starbuck's gift-card, I was flooded with wonderful birthday cards and gifts all week, and Mike and Tess took me to my favorite restaurant for a birthday dinner two days before........so I was just jacking around because Holidays and Birthdays don't mix, as far as I'm concerned. :)

Okay......Turkey scariness........

(The following was written as it happened.)

Um.....what now?

That aluminum pan scared me......so I bought a real one with a rack. It's official.....I will be in charge of preparing the Thanksgiving Dinner Turkey for future Thanksgiving Dinners! ( Or maybe not. )

Do I cook it in that wrapping?






A few people suggested these items.......





This dude is HUGE!! I decided to take him out of that wrap because one thing I read, said to wash Tom! So I gave him a good bath in the kitchen sink....all 21 pounds! Then his neck fell out and I was like.........."oh sh*t! I forgot about that!". Then in his other end, I found a bag with some more stuff in it. Supposedly makes good gravy?





Getting him in that bag was kind of a tricky, one man job!

I'm not sure if I was supposed to put the meat thermometer in now, or later???




Well........crap! I hope Tom isn't over cooked.......I put two thermometers in at 3 hours and 15 minutes.......and they both went right to 190 degrees!!!

Tess and I shared a light lunch......
Pastry Pizza from Trader Joe's.....1/2 = 5 PPV
Apple and Carrots

(I had forgotten to eat at this point. Oops.)




The following is a tutorial of what "NOT TO DO TO YOUR TOM TURKEY!"

I stuck two thermometers in....they never work right, and I was curious what the two might say. They BOTH shot up to 190 immediately!

Eeeeekkkkkk!




So I opened up the bag, and let Tom cool a bit......


Looks weird, huh? Since I was preparing this turkey on Friday for a Saturday dinner, I wasn't real concerned about it being pleasing to the eye. I just wanted to cook it and carve it a day in advance.




Then I started carving. Something's off! Why are the legs of my 21 pound turkey so small? Where is the breast? Why is the questionable breast meat so dark? Shit. Did I cook the turkey upside down? Um....uh oh. Is it done? So I was putting the thermometers basically into an empty hot cavity? Damn.

I am so glad Tess was sleeping on the couch when I was wishing she was watching me teach her how to cook a turkey. Turns out.....I don't have any idea.

Worst upside down carving job ever!





I just started ripping the meat off, wondering the whole time.....does this look pink?





Hope I don't give the entire family salmonella.




Hope I don't screw up the mashed potatoes. But I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess that if anybody can, I can.

:)

Met some High School friends for a beer and called it a day.

I ate fairly light today, but didn't count my PPV.

:(

I did get in a good 30 minute walk outside though!

:)

Thanksgiving Dinner Number Two Update.....Tomorrow!





"love the life you live, live the life you love"

Perfect Thanksgiving Day! (Sucky Ass Birthday)

Are you one of those people that expects to be waited on hand and foot on your birthday? Do you expect coffee in bed? Do you expect the phone to ring off the hook from every member of your family wishing you the "Best Birthday Ever!" first thing in the morning? Do you think when you leave your bedroom, you will find the house filled with fresh flowers and birthday packages wrapped beautifully waiting for you? Do you anticipate breakfast cooked for you!

OMG! ME TOO!

None of that happened.

Instead, we went to my In-Laws and had a wonderful, family filled, food filled, fun filled,

"Perfect Thanksgiving Day!"

This is Mike and I and our four kids......along with significant others and the Grandkids. We took LOTS of pictures, but I think this one is my favorite!





Maybe I WILL send out Christmas cards this year!

I love this one too! It's EVERYONE that was there, except Aunt Dorothy, who had to hold the camera.





Everything tasted sooo good. No, I did not take pictures. For breakfast, I had coffee, a banana and some eggs, (that I cooked for myself......on my birthday......and I am NOT bitter and I do NOT feel sorry for myself, even if it appears that I do) so I wouldn't be starving when we ate at noon.

Turkey Dinner!
(Grandpa forgot to smile.......Can ya blame the guy? He just filled his plate and was ready to dive in when I made everybody stop and "SMILE"! :)





I ate only small portions, and only had one small piece of Pumpkin Pie, and I didn't eat the crust. (I may have polished off an entire Bottle of wine.....Did I mention it was also my BIRTHDAY?)

We did not take leftovers home, but we are doing the whole thing all over again on Saturday, here, at our house.

We snacked on a few light things in the evening, and Mike and Tess and I cozied up in the living room (me with a Baileys and Coffee, Birthday Dinner Drink) and watched The Family Stone, one of my FAVORITES!

I am so Thankful for my entire family, and I truly did have the

"Perfect Thanksgiving Day!"

I hope you and your family did too!






"love the life you live, live the life you love"

Happy Thanksgiving!

Why did I JUST find this?

Sugar Free Pumpkin Spice Coffee Syrup..........
At Target!

I may officially be over pumpkin.......by the end of the weekend.
(But probably not)

:)




Goodbye Starbuck's! (Yeah, right. Like THAT'S gonna happen!)
1 PPV





It was a super busy and an un-ordinary morning and afternoon, so I forgot to take pictures of breakfast AND lunch.......

Breakfast
Egg White, Cheese and one slice of toast
3 PPV

Taste of different things at the Food Truck!
6 PPV

Damn......a beer outside with Tess.....but just one!
5 PPV




Dinner
Salad and Soup
(really boring, but so much good food to eat over the next few days)
12 PPV









Refresh...I can eat 26 points a day.
I can earn Activity Points by doing exercise.
I have an allowance of 49 points that I can dip into if I chose.
I should drink a minimum of 6 (8 oz) glasses of water each day.


The food I ate today and it's PPV.

Coffee = 1
Breakfast = 3
Lunch = 6
Snack = 5
Dinner = 12

Total = 27

Activity Points Earned Today = 0
Remaining points from my 49 Points Allowance = 12
How many glasses of water I drank today = 6


I hope all of you have a very Happy Thanksgiving with your Families!





"love the life you live, live the life you love"

My Little Girl is Home.......

Lots going on again in preparation for the big Thanksgiving Day Feast!

In-Laws on Thursday, our house on Saturday. I spent Monday Evening ironing the monstrosity of a Tablecloth.......and every cloth napkin I own. I got out all the chargers and napkin rings and wine glasses. None of it matches, and I think maybe thats my favorite part of the way the table looks! The table is set and ready for family and food!

Tuesdays schedule included breakfast with mom, a massage to follow, a little work in the afternoon, and dinner out with two of my favorite people! My husband and kid.

J. Alexander's is one of my favorite restaurants to eat at. I always order the grilled salmon and smashed potatoes, and most likely, a nice glass of cab to go with it. So, needless to say, I knew I would need to choose my breakfast, snack and lunch options very wisely!

I started my early morning off with coffee and a banana.




Breakfast with Mom..... A fave for sure.....
First Watch!
Healthy Turkey Omelet
7 PPV





Then........I was literally all over town, and so busy, I never felt hungry. While at Trader Joe's, I sampled one bite of Sweet Potato Casserole, one bite of Pumpkin Pie and one bite of Cranberry Chèvre Goat Cheese! I bought the Goat Cheese for an Appetizer on Thanksgiving Day! Delish!

I'll call my sample bites 3 PPV.

Later, after running all over, I took a 30 minute break on the deck and enjoyed my first ever Pumpkin Beer. I even kinda liked it! I really can not get over this weather! While on the deck, Tess arrived from college! Yay!

5 PPV




Dinner was as awesome as anticipated. I love this restaurant. For me, it's just one of those special occasion places. It's dark....it's cozy......it's always perfect!

I ordered the salmon with smashed potatoes and a Cabernet Sauvignon, just as predicted.

Wine
4 PPV




Salmon
9 PPV?
Smashed Potatoes (I ate only half)
6 PPV







After dinner, Tess and I decided an "After Dinner Drink" would be a perfect way to end the night.......so we had Chocolate Martini's!

8 PPV





I did get the dogs to take a short walk with me, and I was up and down the stairs a gazillions times, and every stop I made, I parked far away......so I was very active today, without ever really exercising. I had to earn at least One Activity Point, but I won't count it. Feels like cheating.......

Refresh...I can eat 26 points a day.
I can earn Activity Points by doing exercise.
I have an allowance of 49 points that I can dip into if I chose.
I should drink a minimum of 6 (8 oz) glasses of water each day.


The food I ate today and it's PPV.

Breakfast = 7
Snack = 3
Beer = 5
Dinner = 15
Wine = 4
Chocolate Martini = 8

Total = 42

Activity Points Earned Today = 0
Remaining points from my 49 Points Allowance = 13
How many glasses of water I drank today = 9





"love the life you live, live the life you love"

Thanksgiving Week! Lots to do!

Too much to do to go into detail about my day, and really, do you EVEN want to know???

:)

Breakfast

Creamy, Cheesy Eggs
Waffle with Better N Peanut Butter and banana slices
Coffee

Huge Breakfast for only........
5 PPV




Four Egg Whites, topped with One Slice of Kraft Reduced Fat Sharp Cheddar (I love the way this cheese melts on my eggs!)

Nutri Grain Waffle topped with One Tablespoon Better N Peanut Butter and Nanner slices
(It melts so nice and creamy.......)

Busy day ahead, and I needed lots of fuel......




I was able to get in a great 45 minutes on the treadmill with an incline and intervals.

Then.....out and about for the day. The dogs are NOT pleased when I choose the treadmill over a walk outside. :(

Lunch out......Salad Bar....

A few grapes and some pineapple...grilled chicken......mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, shredded carrots, kidney beans, garbanzo beans and a few tortellini!

It was sooo nice outside today, I sat outside to eat my lunch and soaked up some Vitamin D!

8 PPV



snack's

Banana
0 PPV




Carrots, pretzels and Laughing Cow Cheese Wedge
3 PPV




Dinner was simple, but with lots of flavor.

Turkey Burgers with Bacon pieces, cheddar cheese, an egg and a little Lawry's Seasoned Salt mixed into the meat, cooked inside on the grill pan.

Ore Ida Sweet Potato Fries (these are actually pretty good)

Broccoli






Burgers = 6
Fries = 4 (22 fries, not bad)
Broccoli = 0

Dinner = 10 PPV




Refresh...I can eat 26 points a day.
I can earn Activity Points by doing exercise.
I have an allowance of 49 points that I can dip into if I chose.
I should drink a minimum of 6 (8 oz) glasses of water each day.


The food I ate today and it's PPV.

Breakfast = 5
Lunch = 8
Snack = 3
Dinner = 10

Total = 26

Activity Points Earned Today = 4
Remaining points from my 49 Points Allowance = 29
How many glasses of water I drank today = 6

My little girl comes home Tuesday for a nice long Thanksgiving Break!




"love the life you live, live the life you love"

groceries, groceries, groceries.........

I'm ready for Thanksgiving! I shopped til I dropped and the shopping cart overflowith.......

We are having Thanksgiving dinner at the In-Laws on Thanksgiving Day, and I only am required to bring wine....Yay!

Then on Saturday, my side of the family will eat at our house. I usually order a smoked turkey and a honey ham. This year I decided to go all out and actually cook Tom myself! Can you really screw that up?? We'll see. :)

Mike took this Sunday off.....Finally! So we enjoyed a Big Sunday Breakfast together. A Big Skillet of Eggs, Egg Whites, Turkey Sausage, Bacon and Reduced Fat Cheddar, along with an English Muffin topped with some Trader Joe's Honey Apple Butter.

Skillet = 6 PPV
English Muffing with Apple Butter = 4 PPV
Coffee with steamed milk = 1 PPV





After the big breakfast, Tucker man and myself took a long 45 minute walk. This weather is unseasonably beautiful! I kept up a good pace, and Tucker literally laid down 30 minutes into our walk. The little guy slept the rest of the day!

Apple
0 PPV




Carrots and a Laughing Cow Cheese Wedge
1 PPV



Banana and 12 almonds
2 PPV





I tried to snack smart since I knew we would be going out to dinner.

Then we headed out to a movie.

We had another date night (So due for date nights....I've missed my husband) and we went to see Lincoln. Very Good. Two and half hours long, so my neck is KILLING me, but the movie didn't seem near that long at all. Excellent acting!

Then to Blue Moose for a Turkey Burger and Sweet Potato Fries. I hadn't ordered this in a long time, and it sounded soooo good.

I decided to take a few really good bites of the burger and fries before just picking at the bun and dividing up the fries.

I ended up eating half of the bun, which was my plan and I ate half of the fries. That was hard, but I drank like five glasses of water and three cups of coffee, so I was full. :)




I know nobody wants to see my messy picked at plate, but too bad.

:)

(Don't look if you can help it.)

I'm calling dinner...
14 PPV






Refresh...I can eat 26 points a day.
I can earn Activity Points by doing exercise.
I have an allowance of 49 points that I can dip into if I chose.
I should drink a minimum of 6 (8 oz) glasses of water each day.


The food I ate today and it's PPV.

Breakfast = 11
Snacks = 3
Dinner = 14

Total = 28

Activity Points Earned Today = 4
Remaining points from my 49 Points Allowance = 29
How many glasses of water I drank today = 12

I'm looking forward to a week full of yumminess and lots of walks!!



"love the life you live, live the life you love"

What was I thinking??????

I'd say I'm too old for this, but most of the people that were with me are my age too, and a few, even OLDER! We're not a real bright group.......

Friday night was really fun.

It's a Hookah Party......with lots of wine.





Saturday morning was really rough.

All morning, I tried to pry myself off the couch.

Instead, I watched every show that I DVR'd this week.

Then I attempted food.

Toast, pumpkin butter, coffee
(It stayed down)
3 PPV



Noonish??

Breakfast Burrito (I really wanted a Sonic Jr. Cheeseburger and Tots, but wasn't sure I could make it there.)
6 PPV




It also stayed down, but barely.......




Later.....WW Fudge Bar
3 PPV

Then, after more couch time......I made a smoothie with my WW smoothie mix, water, ice, strawberries and frozen bananas. It was so thick, I put it in a bowl. A big bowl of ice cream goodness. (I think I'm dehydrated...)
2 PPV




Mike called me and told me to "get with it" because it was date night, so I did. Thats when I drove to Sonic. Tucker ate half of my junior burger and tots.
8 PPV

After about 3:00 pm, I was fine. :)

Tomato Bisque and a side Salad while watching KState LOSE! It was a sad, sad game. No beers for this girl. Lots and lots of water!!
10 PPV

It was too dark for pictures with my vintage, no flash, phone.......but you can't blame a girl for trying.









Refresh...I can eat 26 points a day.
I can earn Activity Points by doing exercise.
I have an allowance of 49 points that I can dip into if I chose.
I should drink a minimum of 6 (8 oz) glasses of water each day.


The food I ate today and it's PPV.

Breakfast = 3
Lunch = 6
Snack = 2
Snack = 3
Sonic = 8
Dinner = 10

Total = 32

Activity Points Earned Today = 0
Remaining points from my 49 Points Allowance = 31
How many glasses of water I drank today = 15




"love the life you live, live the life you love"