Yesterday, I successfully pulled off our pre-Thanksgiving. The plan was to eat dinner when Garrett got home from work (after 11:30pm ha).
Leading up to the actual day, I felt like I had everything under complete control. Recipes were picked out. I got everything I needed from the grocery store. And I had even spent time mapping out my timeline for cooking everything.
I got started mid-afternoon and basically didn’t sit down until we actually ate dinner. I definitely grew up “helping” my mom with Thanksgiving but looking back it was mostly whipping up a dessert, setting the table, or helping with a side dish. Basically, something super easy. Thanksgiving dinners are so much work. I knew it would be a long day, but I definitely was overly ambitious about the whole thing.
Miraculously everything turned out great.
(Only one last minute trip to the grocery store and about four calls plus 16 text messages to my mom. Not too bad.)
I felt pretty relaxed about the whole process until I had to pull the neck out of the turkey. Then I started to doubt myself completely and felt like I should just throw in the towel. But I kept going, dressed the bird, stuck the thing in the oven, and crossed my fingers.
The hardest part of the preparation was the timing of everything, figuring out what could be done ahead of time, what had to wait for something to get off the stove, what would stay hot with tin foil, what needed to go straight to the table.
Let’s just say, this year I will be extra thankful for my mom and dad who handle Thanksgiving like pros.
Very impressive!! I have yet to cook more than two dishes for Thanksgiving. I'm also terrified of cooking a turkey. Our place is truly too small to host our whole family, so we will be going to my sister-in-law's house again and I'll be bringing my homemade sweet potato casserole and baked mac and cheese!
When a stranger offers to take a photo of you and your boys and it ends up being a framer 🫶🏻🥹 Jack is at the perfect age for fun adventures like a trip to the farm (and not just any ole farm, @oldmcdonaldhasafarm!). 🌽 🐄 🐷 👩🏻🌾 We fed the cows, played with the kittens, said hello to bunnies, watched piggies race, saw one month old calves… so much fun for an almost three year old! (And Rory is more than happy to come along for the ride!)
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Reposting because my brother in law was right, this is the better photo and I want it on my grid!! Can we pretend like it’s the first time you’re seeing it 🙊
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The night this photo was taken was one of the most beautiful evenings– we had dinner with our friends outside at Millie’s. Taking turns bouncing Rory and keeping Jack on track to eat his dinner. I couldn’t tell you a single thing that was discussed between rushed bites and standing up and sitting back down only to stand back up again. (In my memory, I was just completely preoccupied with trying to keep Rory out of the sun.) When the final drop of our margaritas were sipped and the last chip with guacamole was consumed, we all got up to go catch the sunset on the beach– bedtimes be damned! As we were walking, my brother in law carrying Rory and Jack on Mike’s shoulders (I was trailing behind with my phone snapping pictures), a man walked by us and said “it may not seem like it, but these are the best days of your life.” He got choked up telling us about his children; I got choked up thinking about how lucky we are. The air was cool and the sun was painting the sky with cotton candy colors and I said to Mike, “I’m so overwhelmed all the time but it’s the best kind of overwhelm.” I feel like I’m drowning most days– there’s always more to do and less time to do it in– and I’m touched out and overstimulated and my brain is most definitely mush. And they’re still the very best days. 🫶🏻
I’m Carly! I have been creating content online for over fifteen years- I started my blog my freshman year of college and now I’m a 34 year old mom of two little boys.
Right now I am finding the sweet spot of mothering and working. I am creating a magical, simple childhood for my boys while still finding time to do things that fill my own cup like working out, reading, practicing photography, and needlepointing.
I feel best when I put on a cute outfit in the morning and a tiny bit of makeup and have my hair blown out… but I also want to be comfortable and I am embracing my wrinkles and I’m letting my hair go grey.
My dream is to own a bookstore (one day!!), I am a huge homebody (major JOMO), and I’d love for to follow along! 🫶🏻
Wow, props to you for cooking all that! Impressive!
Love,
Ane | Basque Prep
Please share that zucchini bread recipe! 🙂
Good for you! Cooking big meals isn't easy but it does get easier with practice.
Very impressive!! I have yet to cook more than two dishes for Thanksgiving. I'm also terrified of cooking a turkey. Our place is truly too small to host our whole family, so we will be going to my sister-in-law's house again and I'll be bringing my homemade sweet potato casserole and baked mac and cheese!
Your pre thanksgiving looks so fab and delicious!
Lauren,
http://www.atouchofsoutherngrace.com
So impressed! I could never cook all of that!