Black Friday Thanksgiving

Since I had to settle for a chicken pot pie for Thanksgiving dinner last year... not to mention I was studying as it was finals week, I really wanted to host a nice home-cooked Thanksgiving gathering of friends. Mary was down for the idea as well, and almost everyone could make it on Friday. Perfect! I cooked a pancetta-sage turkey with country stuffing and a porcini mushroom gravy. Mary cooked some awesome cranberry sauce. Eric made mascarpone mashed potatoes. Jamie brought an awesome olive spread as well as some brie and crackers. Jonboi brought his signature nachos. And Corey contributed with a case of Schlitz (now it's a party!) and some jalapeno jelly with cream cheese. And for dessert, Dave made an awesome chocolate pecan pie. Nora brought a couple of delicious pinot noir's.

I think I must be missing something cause I feel like there was way more food than that. It was delicious and I love having leftovers in the fridge!! Even better than the food was the company. Great friends, some new friends, a Hot Lixx guitar, and a lot of fun! Here's pictures: (You can tell I didn't take them because there's no pictures of the food!)

Me finishing the stuffing and gravy. Eric making his mashers.

Jamie

Corey

Jon

Dave - not sure what's going on here

Still cooking...

Mmmmmm...graaavvvyyyy

Admiring Eric's new awesome immersion blender

Rockin the Hot Lixx!

Dave and Nora helping me carve the turkey

Mary playing dress up with Stormy

Stormy hiding his head in shame

Aw, poor Stormy. After this torture we gave Stormy the giblets and leftovers from making stock. He passed out for the rest of the night.

Some of the new friends

Hanging out after eating and cleaning

Some cute group shots

Stormy passed out after eating turkey

The end! Thanks for coming everyone!! Can't wait for the Hannukah Party!

Pumpkin Carving

Our house hosted a little pumpkin carving party the weekend before Halloween. The pumpkins came out amazing! My mom's hard cider punch was a big hit too.

The set up

The goop had to be removed at the outside table

My roommate Mary and friend Cory

My friend Jon using a fancy Dremel on his pumpkin

My friend Jamie eating pumpkin seeds

Cory and Elizabeth's pumpkin

Eric's pumpkin

Jon's pumpkin

My two pumpkins

All of the pumpkins lined up outside our house

Everyone admiring their works of pumpkin art