This year, I celebrated Thanksgiving at my in-laws house. Being that both mine and Brad’s families are from NC, a lot of our Thanksgiving traditions are the same.
Most importantly, there are pies.
Lots and lots of pies.
Being that there were so many pies, I did not make my classic pecan pie this year.
Instead I made Snickerdoodles.
Snickerdoodles are one of Brad’s favorites, so I’ve wanted to give them a try for quite a while.
I followed this recipe, and they turned out perfectly!
We had a small intimate Thanksgiving gathering with Brad’s parents and his paternal grandparents.
The table was full of yummy things!
Brad’s mom Joy really outdid herself. 🙂
On my plate (clockwise, starting at the top): collard greens, mash potatoes and gravy, stuffing, sweet potato biscuit, and turkey.
The major difference between my plate here versus my plate at my grandmother’s house:
1. We eat collards, but not on Thanksgiving.
2. We eat yeast rolls, not sweet potato biscuits (I love them both!)
3. We call mashed potatoes “cream potatoes”.
4. My grandfather deep fries the turkey and has been doing it for years — way before it was popular.
5. My grandmother makes homemade chicken and dumplings.
See?
My dad texted me this photo on Thanksgiving Eve.
My grandmother’s chicken and dumplings are infamous. 🙂
Meanwhile, back at the Davis’, we literally almost had one dessert per person.
From left to right: coconut pie, gingerbread biscotti, snickerdoodles, pecan pie, sweet potato pie.
My father-in-law made the biscotti and shared his recipe with me, which I can’t wait to share with you soon. It’s so incredibly delicious, especially when dipped in coffee.
We sat around chatting after dinner.
Give us a smile, Brad!
Somehow Brad’s mom Joy never made it into any of my photos…probably because she was busy in the kitchen.
During the three days we visited Currituck, I ran every day, although I’m not sure it warded off the holiday weight gain. My jeans are a bit snug.
But can you blame me for trying? Look at my beautiful view!
We lazed around the house during most of the visit, but yesterday we managed to get out of the house and enjoy the beautiful day.
We went to the Weeping Radish Brewery for lunch, which is also a sustainable farm.
Farm, shmarm. I was there for the beer.
Cheers!
After lunch, we saw the The Muppets (loved it!), checked out my father-in-laws rental properties near the beach, and somehow found our way to a local wine shop who offered to give us a free tasting.
Don’t mind if we do!
We ended our day by watching the sun set on the water before heading back to the house for Thanksgiving leftovers.
How did you spend your Thanksgiving holiday?
That all looks lovely. I didn’t do much this year so I’m sort of living Thanksgiving through everyone’s posts 🙂 I can’t wait to see The Muppets!
It was so good! But I’m a stickler for those type of movies so other people might think it’s cheesy. I’m about 9 years old at heart.
Aweee! Girl, no matter what, being with family is wonderful. However, I know what it’s like to miss other traditions. I am such a stickler. I like to be at the same place almost every year, cause I know the food is good.
Ahahahah “I was there for the beer”, sounds like me last night at sigma chi!
I’m so lucky because the food is fantastic at both my family’s and Brad’s. You really can’t go wrong either way.
And haha about the beer. Ah college…..
That’s pretty impressive that you ran while you were there! I did not even pack my running stuff for my trip. We went to Jason’s brother’s house in Charleston.
Ooooh, I love Charleston. I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving, Lee. 🙂
that last picture is beautiful!
All of the food looks great, too. wishing I had more leftovers now!
I wish I could have taken turkey home with me on that 6 1/2 hour drive. I love turkey sandwich leftovers.
Yum! I can’t wait for that gingerbread biscotti recipe – sounds perfect for holiday gifting!
I better get on that then. 😉
Small family holidays are my favorite! Looks like you had a beautiful, scrumptious time! 🙂
Yes, as much as I love my family. The small intimate gathering with my in-laws is very enjoyable.
Looks like a good time. 🙂 At my house, we call them “whipped potatoes.”
Whipped Potatoes? I’ve never heard of that, but it makes total sense when you consider what you actually do with them.