Giving Thanks for Thanksgiving

I couldn't let the holiday that's all about food go by without a post, seems a bit sacrilegious considering I'm not religious and all my holidays are about food (and family).

Despite my obsession with cooking I do not cook Thanksgiving Dinner, our apartment is too small and we have way to many people to visit. We celebrated by visiting my favorite Thanksgiving location, my Aunt Carolyn's house. It was a first for Chris so I was even more excited to show him how the Durkin's throw down.  Only 27 people this year, but still an amazing time as always. It seems as though my Aunt and Uncle can host hundreds with ease, as I'm sure they have at some point. Maria (Cousin) is nonstop in the kitchen like me. She's side by side with her mom with the to do list, the recipes in her head and eyeball measuring to perfection. Its like watching a cooking show to see them in the kitchen together.

The Turkey was home grown, or raised I guess is the proper term, yard to table as I like to call it. The veggies were plenty, the stuffing came in doubles and the desserts were my personal favorite.

We started with my dad's famous antipasto, complete with roasted long hot peppers, anchovies (ew), meat, cheese, olives, pesto, bread and more meat

The only picture...i was too busy eating

It all seems like a food drunk haze but to list a few dishes...

• 30 Lbs. of garlic mashed potatoes, which I mashed by hand - ouch
• Buckets of the smoothest gravy since Boston Market
• Stuffing with or without onions...not sure why you would opt for without but that's okay, more onions for me
• Cinnamon roasted sweet potatoes, another fave of mine
• Juicy Yard to Table turkey
• Rutabaga, something I only have on Thanksgiving but really enjoy (note to self to cook that more often)
• Brussels sprouts roasted with pancetta and maple syrup (My addition)
• Sweet delicious corn
• Cranberry sauce and relish...of course we need more options
• My Uncle Tom's awesome homemade bread

Dessert, is another event and I personally think it should have its own holiday

• My cousin Judy's pumpkin roll, with spicy cake and cream cheese frosting, its another dish I look forward to
• Apple pie, pumpkin pie
• Some amazing chocolate pudding cake concoction (Aunt Pat found the recipe in Heaven)
• Bourbon Pumpkin Cheesecake (My addition)
• Chocolate covered yummy things

For the after dinner leftover fest I opted for the extra helping of taters and a little turkey sandwich to make sure I had my fill of bird before going to bed.

It was carb filled, family fun and I cant wait for the next time we go!! 

Thanks again Bivins' crew, love you guys!