Hi everyone!
I dare say the Hubs and I rocked Thanksgiving 2015! Woop!
Ok-- we might have been a little sleep deprived at this point and loopy, but another fun holiday is in the books.
I've got to admit this year's Thanksgiving kind of snuck up on me. In years past I was so nervous that I did everything a month ahead of time, but this year I found myself scrambling a bit at the last minute. The good news is I found my groove and most everything went according to plan.
I'm a fan of tradition, so a lot of these details are similar to years past.
Thanksgiving 2015 in Asheville
The day started off early with my Vegetarian Crock Pot Breakfast Casserole, fruit and pastries. After breakfast, I started to work on some of my crock pot dishes like the Mashed Potatoes and Mac and Cheese.
We have our big meal in the late afternoon, so I just put out a few snacks for lunch.
Turkey cookies!
And a healthier "vegetarian" turkey option!
My table ended up being identical to last years, but I figured if it works I should just stay with it.
Baby Toddler Owen even got his own place this year.
I also had out our Thankful tree, which is getting pretty full after three years of putting leaves on it!
I did a LOT of cooking the day before, so I was actually pretty calm on Thanksgiving day.
I followed my schedule and got all my food done on time. I made my Type A self proud. 🙂
One of my favorites is always my Mom's Sweet Potatoes. They turned out perfect!
The Hubs of course made the turkeys since I don't eat or cook meat. He smoked one on his smoker and fried a second one! Everyone raved about how good they were.
We stopped to take a quick picture before digging in!
My family was there including my Dad, my Brother Tommy and his girlfriend Erica.
And the Hubs family came... that's his parents and sister Megan.
And here's the Hubs looking handsome after cooking all day! We were just missing his other sister Danielle and her family.
Owen did a great job through dinner, but by the time I pulled out my camera to take pictures he was over it. So I snapped a few of him outside doing what he does best-- RUNNING!
And finally we can't forget about Justin who went outside to watch him. It was almost balmy on Thanksgiving!
And just to keep it real, we did have a couple hiccups. Our sink broke and after dinner we had to clean up a bunch of water and figure out what happened. We are now the proud owners of a brand new faucet (yayyyyy!!!)
AND Rhett got into some turkey gravy and ended up getting a BATH! Just for the record gravy doesn't come out of dog hair that easily. 🙂 At least I know my 14+ year old dog still has a little puppy/youth left in him.
I took both hiccups in stride but just wanted you to know that nothing is ever perfect, even a perfectly planned Thanksgiving.
What a great holiday. I'm so grateful so many members of my family could come and spend Thanksgiving in Asheville.
Thanks for stopping by today. Tomorrow I'm talking about ways to stay in shape during the holiday rush.
Your turn!
How was your Thanksgiving?
Farrah says
hahaha, that counter looks wonderful. 😛 It sounds like you and your husband had an amazingglyyy delicious Thanksgiving! Those cookies are so cute! :] I already ate dinner, but you're making me hungry again!
Jess @hellotofit says
Everything look absolutely WONDERFUL, Julie! I love how organized you are 🙂 Looks like it was a great time.
We had a busy one - I stopped in Wednesday to see Mom, then Thursday was spent with Ray's family AND my Dad's family. Whew!
Heather @Fit 'N' Cookies says
Wow you did such a great job! Two minor hiccups is a good record! I always love your food spread. Wish I was there to enjoy it! And Owen, omg. How adorable!
Mandi Korn says
What a great post, sorry I am a little behind on commenting. I love your table set up and all the place cards that you made. Looks like everyone had a great time, you have a beautiful family.
Gingi says
Looks like you had an amazing Thanksgiving!! You are so blessed! <3 - http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com
Blane Sherer says
Glad all went so well for you for Thanksgiving except for your 2 hiccups.
I enjoyed my Thanksgiving on Sunday. My mom fixed a great Thanksgiving
meal. One of my daughters was sick and stayed in Charlotte by herself. My
other daughter fixed her a plate and I took it down to her and visited with her
for an hour . I tucked her back in bed before leaving. Everyone else took a nap while I was gone .
When I returned we ate leftovers for supper.
JulieWunder says
So glad you had a good time. Sorry your daughter was sick :-(( So nice of you to bring the food to her.
GiGi Eats says
OKAY WHATTTT THE WHAT on those Turkey Cookies! HOW?! LOL! Just how. Or maybe, you should not tell me 😉
Happy Thanksgiving... Or maybe I should say just HOLIDAYS now... Since T-Day is no longer! WOMP WOMP!
JulieWunder says
Haha! Thanks Gigi-- those fancy turkey cookies are compliments of Pillsbury :-)))
Linda says
I totally enjoyed reading every word and seeing every picture. What a fantastic thanksgiving you all had. Our family all live up North so my husband and I planned on being alone but out wonderful neighbors (in the same boat) had us over and we had a great day. But Christmas will be with family. Never give up your traditions Julie. You all look soooo happy!!!!
JulieWunder says
Thanks so much Linda! I really appreciate you!
Heather@hungryforbalance says
I love this post so much Julie!! Especially that first picture! Thank you for sharing the real moments with us. The holidays are not always as lovely as we would like, but I guess that's where the memories come from!
By the way, I am SO JEALOUS of your kitchen! It's gorgeous!
JulieWunder says
Thank you!! I feel in love with our house from the window seat and the kitchen :-)))
I just wish I had a picture of the real stuff! I never want others to feel like my life is perfect b/c it is so NOT! :-))) But I try!
Beth @ Sublimely Fit says
You are too adorable, Julie! I was just patting myself on the back for cooking a meal without giving anyone food poisoning. You really went above and beyond with the cute little cards and those tablescapes! Your family is very lucky to have you. Glad you had an amazing Thanksgiving!
JulieWunder says
That is totally winning Beth, especially when turkey is involved! This will be my 4th year doing it, so I was much more chill this year! The first year I was crazy :-))
Jenny says
You really are the hostess with the mostess! Nice job, lady! Your family is beautiful and you've got some memorable traditions going! And that OWEN! AH! Little man!
JulieWunder says
I know! Can you believe how BIG he is!! Such a great time!
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home says
It wouldn't be Thanksgiving without a few hiccups, right? Sounds like a wonderful, I mean Wunderful day!
JulieWunder says
Exactly :-)) Wunderful!
Dan Steadman says
Great...a little tough being the first one since Grandmother passed...food was great and had a little of her spirit in it...good to see family as always...and my younger brother asked me to be his best man in his wedding next year!
JulieWunder says
The first year of holidays is always the hardest. I'm glad her spirit was with you! And yay for your Brother!!!
Gretchen says
Everything looks so great and your decorations are adorable! Great job Julie 🙂
JulieWunder says
Thanks Gretchen! It was a lot of fun!
Joanna @Makingmine says
I always enjoy your holiday recaps - you are an incredible hostess! Love that thankful tree!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Joanna! I love it too 🙂
Diane says
It was just perfect and fun in everyway the faucet breaking and Rhett In turkey juice were just keeping it real lol. Thank you so much for great food ,fun, and
Laughs ?
JulieWunder says
Totally real!! I needed that picture of Rhett in the bath!
Stacie @ SimplySouthernStacie says
You seriously put on the most beautiful Thanksgiving dinner!
JulieWunder says
Thank you Stacie! Practice makes perfect at this point!
Nicki says
Love it! Sounds perfect to me.
JulieWunder says
Thanks Nicki! Close enough!
Susie @ SuzLyfe says
I love it! So festive, so much fun, and you really went all out (and I knew you would). More importantly, what a great moment for your family to come together and just enjoy each other's company (and have some good old fashioned fun!). What a beautiful Thanksgiving!
JulieWunder says
Thank you Susie! It went so well!