Thanksgiving 2014

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I couldn't decide whether to share the rest of our wedding photos today or my pictures from Thanksgiving. Clearly, the end of this titillating and very mysterious introduction is that Thanksgiving won out. Chef Adam Branz is my bestie Peek's husband. He is also my friend. He is also an incredible human. He is also going to be more famous that he already is one day. He is also INCREDIBLY talented. At 8 am, he showed up at my house with all of this... IMG_3767 IMG_3768 IMG_3769 IMG_3771

And began doing this...IMG_3780

WTF. Is that a ham? I thought you guys had a 25 pound turkey? Double yeses to those questions. He used the fat from the ham to flavor things and do crazy nutty things to stuffing. IMG_3781

Those are mushrooms for our vegan stuffing that was made with mushroom fat. Yeah, process that. IMG_3783

And this the thing that I call a water counter top cooker thing. It cooked the turkey breasts in vacuum seal bags with vegan butter and God only knows what else until Adam yanked it out and seared it in cast irons and then ovened it and did things to it. (CLEARLY, if you came here looking for recipes you are SORELY disappointed). IMG_3784

Now onto the pretties! Sam and I made placemats out of butcher paper, drew lines and a turkey, and asked everyone to write in what they were thankful for. I also used a dinner plate, a salad plate, red napkins from Target, gingham ribbon from Joann's, and Mikasa wine glasses. The table runner is also from Target. IMG_3772 IMG_3774 IMG_3775

Sam brought over some plastic orange pumpkins and since they didn't match, LB and I spray painted them gold. The little tea light holders and the candle stands were also from Target. IMG_3790

Yes, the chairs mismatch, but we needed 10 seats people! Don't the new chairs look SO good though!?

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For all of these people! Hi Preston and Juno. IMG_3812

Hi Maddie, LB and Alan. IMG_3798

Howdy Angie! IMG_3802

Bowing before the greatness that is Adam Branz! IMG_3805

Hey now Sammie! IMG_3806

Yo Peek, I am taking your picture!IMG_3808

OH YOU ARE! Let me look extra cute!IMG_3809

The. Food. Was. Ridic. The rolls were also made with a rosemary vegan butter. IMG_3795

Oh, hahaha. I forgot about the two kinds of mash potatoes with black truffle potatoes in a mushroom reduction AS THE TOPPING ON THE MASHED POTATOES! What is this life?!?IMG_3793

The turkey and the ham. HOLY MOLEY YUM!IMG_3792It was an incredibly delicious day spent with super fun people. It took Maddie, LB and I three days to clean up, and my legs were sore from running up and downstairs to our other kitchen (<-- someone named Treana needs to get back into the gym).  When Adam and I debriefed, I think I got him to agree that for next year, people are in charge of sides. The dishes were nearly overwhelming until I remembered the sweet sweet goodness that we ate that day. Mmmmmm...

How did you all spend your Thanksgiving!?