We Gave Thanks

We had a lot to be thankful for this year, including being able to spend time with both families for Thanksgiving.  We started off the holiday season with a trip to Dothan for Thanksgiving with the Deans.  Phillip’s brother Ben flew in from Charlotte on Wednesday night so the gang was all there.  Here are some highlight pictures Phillip picked out for this post (he even took most of them):

Phillip's Mimi after hauling in several of her best Thanksgiving dishes from the car. We also celebrated Papa's birthday and Mimi and Papa's 60th wedding anniversary on Thanksgiving - a big day for this family!

Gathering in the kitchen to visit on Thanksgiving Day.

Ben and Mimi

Bountiful table #1

They are so silly when they get together.

Unfortunately, we weren’t able to spend the weekend with the Deans because Phillip had to work on Friday.  So we headed back to Birmingham on Thursday night, Phillip did a shift at the clinic on Friday, and we drove to Rogersville Friday evening.  While I was waiting for Phillip to finish his shift, I attempted to make a pecan pie for my dad and grandmother.

I made my own pastry!

The finished product. I guess I didn't cook it long enough or something, because this pie was a FAILURE. For those that have never found themselves in this particular situation, note that pecan pie soup is delicious over ice cream. : )

Since they decided it just wasn’t Thanksgiving without me (ha!), my family saved the big meal for Saturday night.  So that day Grandmother attempted to teach me how to make cornbread and her Thanksgiving dressing.

Despite my reservations about the unbelievable amount of shortening used to grease the cast iron pan, the cornbread came out perfectly. Bottom line: trust your grandmother when it comes to these things.

And that cornbread turned into this:

Grandmother's dressing

The Burts have been (safely) frying their turkeys for several years now and this year was no exception.  My dad and brother have it down to a science.

The setup, complete with wind shields.

My brother Jonathan (whom we typically call "Man") keeping an eye on the frying.

Crispy, delicious turkey

And then it was time to eat!

Grandmother, always happy to be with family.

Bountiful table #2

Mom took up my camera and got this shot of me and my niece Kenslee.

Phillip and I had so much to be thankful for this year – a wedding, a fellowship match, our health, our families, our friends, our new blog – we are truly blessed!