Thanksgiving Feast

I must say, my first Thanksgiving away from Mount Carmel, PA, was quite successful. I was able to time perfectly a feast fit for a king, which the four of us greatly enjoyed. Kelly was most impressed, I think, by my ability to time everything correctly and keep dishes clean throughout the day, making clean up a cinch.


I am pretty proud of myself. I know it's simple for some people to pull off the coordination of a meal like this, but this was my first true attempt. Turkey, potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, corn, rolls, and homemade gravy... all cooked and served to perfection... followed by brownies, pumpkin roll and apple pie. Everything (minus the rolls) was made from scratch, and that makes it even more enjoyable. It really couldn't have been any better.

This experience also reaffirmed how much I love being in the kitchen and how I seriously need to consider and explore this option for my future.

Time for some leftovers!

Best Day of the Year

In a few hours, my brother and friends will arrive in Memphis for what is shaping up to be one excellent weekend. Thanksgiving is by far the best day of the entire year. It's absolutely enjoyable - an excuse to eat like the meal will be your last and sit around watching football, drinking, and hanging out.

This year is uniquely special for me for two reasons. First, this is the first Thanksgiving that I won't be in PA, and second, this is the first Thanksgiving dinner that I am responsible for pulling off. While I am saddened to not be in the coal region drinking like an idiot until 4am, I am just as excited about hanging out in Memphis with brother and friends and making my own Thanksgiving meal. It's definitely the largest meal I've taken on at this point in my life and I am excited for the challenge.

I have prepared desserts already - first time for an apple pie - and I am quite pleased with myself. I have a good feeling that tomorrow's kitchen adventures will prove successful as well. I'm also feeling that this can be the start of a three-week bender of heavy eating, drinking, and laughing as my time in Memphis comes to a close. I can't think of a better time to kick this off than with Thanksgiving!

Love, peace and turkey grease!

Improve your social life...

If you're looking to improve your social life, tell people you are moving in a month.

Instantly, everyone wants a piece of you.

Dinner, drinks, a movie, a broadway show, more dinner, more drinks... seriously, the fun doesn't end. Every night lately, there has been a hundred options of who to see and where to go and what to do. It's incredible.

Where was this for the past three years of my life?!?

In all seriousness, it's actually been a great few weeks. Living life to the fullest. Reliving old memories with some great people. Making a few more memories with those same great people. I feel pretty fortunate to have these experiences. I'm savoring every moment, especially the surprising ones - the unexpected, purely blissful moments.