Turkey & Dressing & Pies, Oh My!

Thanksgiving. A day in which I eat lunch and dinner in elastic-waisted pants, never shy away from second helpings, and eat far too much pie than is necessary for any one human being. A day in which families come together to celebrate and stuff their faces with delicious, mouth-watering foods.

A day in which I was fortunate enough to see my Aunt Donna and Uncle Jim, along with my parents. Being off at school is hard, especially for someone like me. I'm a major family person. I have a great relationship with my parents, and in that I am truly blessed. I know this because I know several people who can't say the same. Or who flat out don't. Who, in fact, may even claim the exact opposite. Who dread going home for the holidays because their families drive them absolutely bonkers. I'm very grateful that that's not the case for me.

My Thanksgiving was excellent.

I slept in until eleven. Ish. My Aunt and Uncle had already arrived, so I made myself presentable as quickly as possible. (Remember, elastic-waisted pants. Easy-peasy.) My mom and my Aunt were already busy with food prep in the kitchen. My Dad and my Uncle were in the den watching football. And I flitted between both rooms—hovering over the pots and pans, which smelled absolutely heavenly, and sitting in for some conversation in the den as well. What can I say? Throw me in some comfy pants and a sweatshirt and I become a social butterfly.

But seriously.

The turkey was in the oven, potatoes were being peeled, onions were making us cry. The green beans, nearly forgotten amidst the rush of mashing potatoes, seasoning the main course, and readying the pies, were prepared last. We also had sweet potatoes topped with marshmallows, browned to perfection. Gravy, warm, thick, and perfect for topping. Dressing, ever the crowd favorite. We had a veritable feast laid out before us by the time we were done.

Red wine, to be sipped. Turkey, to be...gobbled.

Sweet potatoes + marshmallows = <3

Mashed potatoes. A personal favorite.

Green beans. Delicious!

And I re-learned some basic etiquette while I set the table. Spoon and knife on the right, fork and napkin on the left. Plate nestled between, of course. Though for our purposes, we made the napkins obviously accessible by plunking them smack in the middle of the plates.

I did this.

These plates are just begging to be piled high with food.

We gathered around the table and the food was served. For us, Thanksgiving dinner is more of a late lunch/early dinner affair. Somewhere around two or three, we settle in for a dining extravaganza. And since there's no rush, it can easily last several hours. Especially when one factors in the time spent sitting, slouched back in our chairs, desperately wishing we could unbutton our pants for a little breathing room (What did I tell ya? Elastic is the way to go...) while our food digests enough for us to have room for dessert.

Food options. Ready to be tabled.

The dinner table setup.

My hearty first helping.

This year, our dessert lineup consisted of three different pie options. Pecan, Pumpkin, Chocolate. A trifecta of deliciousness that would please even the most fickle of sweet-tooths. I should know. I have one of those, myself.

The trifecta.

By the time we had each snagged as many helpings as we liked, of both main course and dessert items, we were full to bursting. And once again we drifted out of the kitchen. My Dad and Uncle returned to the den for more football. My Mom and Aunt took over the living room, chatting to their hearts content. And once again I traveled from room to room, never one to miss out on any good conversation.

I was very proud of Tucker, who behaved like a perfect gentleman the entire time. Even though I'm sure his sensitive little doggy nose was overrun with smells that would make any persons' mouth water. He's such a good boy. He did his Momma proud.

Tucker wants to help make the dressing.

The only problem with Thanksgiving is that by the time the food has been eaten, everyone sort of slips into food-coma mode. In which case conversation can become sluggish. Eyelids start to get heavy.

And, as is always the case when concerning the things we enjoy, time simply flies by. Before I knew it, Aunt Donna and Uncle Jim were headed out. They had a bit of a drive and weren't keen to make it in the dark. I can't say I blame them. Especially on an evening when I'm prone to want to turn in early anyway.

I wish they could have stayed longer, but I'm just really glad I got to see them at all. And especially glad that I was able to make it home. It's been great to be with family for the past few days, and I'm admittedly unhappy that Thanksgiving break is basically over.

But I had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and I hope all of you did, too! And anyway, just think...Christmas is coming soon!

50 Things I'm Thankful For

1. My friends and family, and being able to see them for this Thanksgiving holiday. Specifically, the fact that I was able to come home for Thanksgiving, and that my Aunt and Uncle were able to come up to spend a good part of the day with us.

2. My dog, who is behaving like a perfect gentleman today amidst turkeys and relatives and excitement.

3. My house, which is keeping me warm today—now that it's FINALLY cold outside.

4. The fact that it's finally cold outside!

5. Having a week-long vacation from school.

6. Being able to afford to go to college, and doing pretty well in my classes—even when I do desperately want a break from them.

7. My phone, which I am hopelessly addicted to. And, again, my parents—who bought my phone for me.

8. Words. Because without them, how in the world would I write?

9. My ability to write. I have no idea what I would do without it.

10. Chocolate Pie. Specifically, the chocolate pie that my Mom made for us to devour today. Enough said.

11. Memories. Because I can't be with all of my family today—some of them are gone. But I will always have such wonderful memories of them.

12. Music. One of my favorite things in the world.

13. Pumpkin pie. Which is also on the dessert menu for today!

14. Exercise. Because otherwise I wouldn't be able to eat so much pie!

15. Yoga, because it's one of my favorite kinds of exercise.

16. Glasses. Without them, I wouldn't be able to see the screen to type this list. Seriously.

17. The fact that even though I'm probably legally blind, there's something I can do about that.*

   *see above

18. Sweet potato fries. Delicious!

19. Bud light. Admittedly, I love it.

20. Starbucks. My all-time favorite place to get coffee. Particularly Frappuccinos. Also, my favorite place to go, sit, and chat with friends and family.

21. Christmas! And the fact that it's coming up super soon!

22. The fact that I'll be able to see so many friends this Christmas.

23. My laptop, on which I am typing this list.

24. Block quotes. I've written several research papers lately, and I love block quotes.

25. Sigma Tau Delta. The English Honors Society I just joined. And the fact that I'm making friends there!

26. Oreo balls. Um, if you've never had these...you're missing out. I can't even explain.

27. Cameras and photographs. Memory capturer-ers. Invaluable!

28. Art. And being inspired by it.

29. Alexander Skarsgård. Because that man is visually inspiring as well. ;-)

30. True Blood, because that's where I watch Alexander Skarsgård all the time...

31. Silverware. Come on, isn't it handy? Really helps keep the food in my mouth instead of on the table. Or my clothes.

32. Shoes. I love shoes.

33. Purses. For the same reason.

34. The roof over my head. Both at home and off at school. I'm so used to having a place to live, it's hard to imagine what it would be like to be without that. And it's hard to believe how many people are without that.

35. The fact that I have never known true hunger. I'm not starving. I have never wondered where my next meal will come from.

36. My biological parents, and the fact that they cared enough about me to not get an abortion—instead, to put me up for adoption and allow me the wonderful life that I have with my parents. Without them and their decision, I would not be here. Period.

37. God, who obviously doesn't belong at #37 on any list. For everything he has done, especially providing me with such amazing, loving, caring, selfless parents.

38. Medicine. And all of the advances it's made. It's amazing the things we can fix, heal, repair, prevent these days!

39. Cool days spent sitting on the patio, sipping a drink, listening to the wind in the trees.

40. The smell of chocolate.

41. Chocolate.

42. Pizza. My absolute favorite food ever.

43. The Simpsons. Best cartoon show ever.

44. Film. So many wonderful movies.

45. Books, without which I'd never be able to afford such extravagant 'vacations'. Nothing lets you be anything you want to be, go anywhere you want to go, do anything you want to do like books do.

46. Airplanes. Making travel so much faster, even with the ridiculous amount of hassle one must go through just to board a plane.

47. Elastic-waisted pants. Which I will need after Thanksgiving dinner.

48. Heaters. Because without ours, my teeth would no doubt be chattering right now!

49. Hot chocolate with little marshmallows on top.

50. My bed. Which I am about to curl up in and nap. My belly full of food demands it. 

Christmas at Starbucks

Christmas is my favorite holiday. Hands down. And Starbucks is my favorite coffee shop. Also hands down. So Christmas at Starbucks is like the ultimate Most Best combination of Christmas and coffee for me.

A few days ago, the holiday displays and decor were readied, the new merchandise put out. As an avid and self-proclaimed Starbucks enthusiast, of course I couldn't wait to get my hands on the new merch and check out the displays.

Gifts display. So cute.

The running theme this year is sharing and stories. Along with another adorable edition of the Bearista bear, Starbucks has introduced Huxley—a precious little mouse with a story to share. Not only is Huxley a handsome little fellow, he's also a writer. (You can see why he appeals to me!) And Starbucks has released companion books to go with the Huxley Mouse, as well as tumblers, mugs, and other items to continue on the theme of stories. 

I first learned about Huxley through my favorite Starbucks blog, StarbucksMelody.com. If you love Starbucks as much as I do—heck, even if you just like it a little—Melody will have something for you over at her site. I highly recommend checking it out! Particularly this post if you want to learn more about Huxley and his books.

This is Huxley! Well...Huxleys. Aren't they precious?
They're guarding the awesome cold cup ornaments!

Another of my favorite items has made an exciting return to Starbucks! The Grande and Venti reusable cold cups with festive candy cane straws. I absolutely love these! 

And, pardon the brief interjection, I was browsing the Starbucks online store (which, by the way, sells replacement straws so if you lose yours, don't fret! However, you can't buy replacements of the candy cane straws; they're a seasonal item) and was kind of riduculously excited to find that Starbucks is now selling a Domed Lid for these cold cups! As far as I know, they aren't sold in stores, but at $2.95, I will absolutely be buying one. 

My only prior complaint about the reusable cold cups had been that you definitely couldn't have them make your Frappuccino in one if you wanted whipped cream. It was a mild complaint, since I'm generally a sans whip person anyway. But still. Yay!

I love the reusable cold cups! I have three.
:-)

Of course, I couldn't go browse and ogle the new merch without sucumbing to the urge to shop... Oh, don't act so surprised. Besides, I only bought one—wait, two, I only bought two things. What can I say? I'm a sucker for impulse buying and retail therapy. And Starbucks.

Starbucks goodies! I couldn't resist.

As soon as I laid eyes on the new (STARBUCKS)^(RED) To-Go Tumbler, I knew I had to have it. This holiday edition mug was designed by Jonathon Adler. I love absolutely everything about it. In addition to the tumbler, there's also a new Starbucks card that shares Adler's funky and awesome design. And yes, I had to have the card, too!

It was love at first sight.

Darn right, it's custom!

Companion (RED) card! A match made in heaven.

<3

I didn't manage to get pictures of every single new seasonal item—Sorry!—but there's a delightful abundance of Christmas and winter themed treats at Starbucks this year. They also have new holiday mugs, tumblers, ornaments, gift sets, and a lot more! And, of course, the holiday coffees, teas and hot cocoas. Including a Starbucks VIA Christmas Blend. There are also two new holiday Starbucks cards (not including the (STARBUCKS)^(RED) card that I got!).

So if these pictures have done anything to whet your holiday appetite, take a cue from me and head to Starbucks to check out the new Christmas goodies!