Parades, Pies, Pajamas & a Puppy...

Hi everyone!  I hope you guys had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!  Here's a recap of our delicious day:)

All of our festivities began the night before....with another trip to "Kenji Fusion" (can NOT get enough of the bestest sushi around!)...

And a trip to see "Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows-Part 1"....(I'm now frightened of how hard I'm going to cry for Part 2, since Part 1 *you know what part I'm talking about* was a DOOZY!:) 

After the movie, I came home and got started on my Thanksgiving baking!  I took a little inspiration from "The Best Thing I Ever Ate: That I'm Thankful for" that aired this week.  And as soon as Jeff Henderson mentioned a Sweet Potato & Cheesecake layer pie from Inglewood, California, I knew I HADD to try it.  AND since squeezing in a trip to Cali was a little rough for this week, I decided to do some research and came up with my own version....starting with a graham cracker crust made from my beloved Trader Joe's Graham Crackers: 

...then a layer of basic cheesecake (cream cheese, sugar, egg & vanilla)... 

...and topped with a layer of sweet potato pie.......YUM!  (I think I've officially jumped ship from pumpkin to sweet potato pie...it's just so. darn. good!) 

And, taking inspiration from Tuesday night's dinner, I made sure to season & spice up both layers to give each their own distinctive taste:

After the pie was baked & cooled, I finished it off with a layer of fresh MAPLE whipped cream & candied pecans... 

(Harriet's: You just may have some competition;)....kid, I kid:)

Thanksgiving morning began in it's TRUE "My Tasty Journey" traditional manner:  With Pumpkin Pancakes... 

...while watching the parade.... 

....in our pajamas, along with Penny:) 

(ok, ok...I'm done with the illiterations:)

We also got a GREAT SURPRISE here in NJ this morning!  A WHITE THANKSGIVING!!!  YES...it snowed! 

Not for very long, but just enough to usher in Santa Claus!  I even cried...it was too much magic in one moment;) hahahhahahahaah.... 

After the parade and a Thanksgiving morning photo op....(I literally laughed until I cried *again* when I saw this picture...Scott looks like he's trying for his best Don Juan face , I look like a pirate and Penny's in mid-yawn:) 

:)

...I got busy on my SECOND "Best Thing/Thankful For" inspiration:  Fresh Cranberry Sauce!  Those cranberries were just TOO beautiful at the market this year to pass up trying this one out.  ESPECIALLY once the Neely's proclaimed that it wasn't Thanksgiving without homemade cranberry sauce (and I ALWAYS listen to the Neely's:)  I tried my hand at their favorite version from Portland, Oregon... 

I brought:

• 1 bag of cranberries
• 1 diced apple
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 cinnamon stick

...to a boil over medium high heat.  Once it was boiled, I lowered the heat and let it slowly simmer for 15-20 minutes until the sauce thickened up.  I removed the pan from the heat and tossed in (and here's the Neely's favorite!) 3/4 cup of craisins......YUM!

My Aunt proclaimed that this may be my official job from now on.  Seriously, this couldn't have been easier but it was HEADS & TAILS better then any cranberry sauce I have EVER tried.  No, for real: EVER!  Sweet, tart with a nice chewy texture from the craisins, it was just the king of all cranberries:)  I'm definitely adding it to our yearly rotation:)

After that, we cleaned ourselves up and grabbed the treats: 

And headed over to my Aunt's.  I love, love, love dinner there...it is just TRADITION and PERFECTION all rolled into one:) 

We had all our traditional & favorite dishes including turkey, of course...:) 

...STUFFING!!!!!  I HEART THEE!!!!!! 

...and my Aunt's BESTEST Maple Sweet Potatoes.  These have been my favorites since I was little...and I STILL love em just as much:) 

Who doesn't wait all year for this masterpiece??? 

I was STUFFEEEEED after dinner....BUT somehow managed to sneak in a piece of my layered pie:)  Which actually HAD layers!  (I was worried;) 

A sweet and wonderful day surrounded by family & good eats.  It doesn't get much better than that:)  I feel very, very lucky to be so blessed. 

Well...as much as I like those Pilgrims & Indians, I must say that their day of reckoning is tomorrow, as they will be put away for another year.  While most people will be out shopping until they drop tomorrow,  for US Black Friday = Cleaning, Christmas Decorations & Pizza!  hahahahhahaha....we tear apart every INCH of the house to ensure that all of my glorious reds & greens will shine extra bright for their arrival;) hhahahhaha....is this the best time of year or WHAT????  From one great holiday to the next;)

OK...I better go rest for our big day tomorrow!  Hope you enjoyed our Thanksgiving recap and have a wonderful one of your own!  Have a great night and a great (hopefully no work!) Friday:)