Thanksgiving Day!

Our Thanksgiving was quiet and unhurried. For me this was just a splendid way to spend the day. Usually I am rushing around trying to get everything done for guests and I don’t really enjoy the day. Yesterday, it was truly wonderful. We got up and after sipping some coffee Hubby and I worked together and made an apple pie. He is always such a help when I make a pie, that it is truly a joint effort.

After that I made a nice breakfast. Bacon, eggs, grits, and zucchini bread from our garden last summer. I took out a loaf of the bread I made and boy, was that good!

I spent a little time doing laundry, and Hubby worked on some leaves, while I stuffed the turkey and put it in the oven. Then, about every half an hour I basted the bird until 4 and a half hours later, it was done.

The squash was cooked, the potatoes cooked and mashed, the peas steamed the onions braised and the gravy made without one lump. I set the table with a dish of pickles and another of cranberry relish and set everything out for the meal.

I was true to my vow that I would measure my food carefully. I had thought about how to handle this for several weeks. I LOVE Thanksgiving. I LOVE the food! So, I really didn’t want to, not eat all my favorites. The answer was portion control. I got out my measuring cup set and used a quarter of a cup and had a quarter of a cup of mashed potatoes, squash, peas, stuffing and onions. I weighed the turkey, and had 2 ounces of that, and then 2 tablespoons of gravy on my turkey.

I ate with delight and enjoyed every bite that I had. Best of all, I was full after eating this plate of food. If I figured the entire meal correctly it all came out to about 10 points, including the sugar free apple pie that we made with a little fat free vanilla ice cream!

As we sat there allowing our bodies to start the digestion process, the dogs began to become friendly and vocal.

Notice who they go to for a treat?

Hubby is the real softy of the two of us.

All mouths on deck!

Anneliese is the most gentle of the pack.

Hubby is about to lose a finger!

We finally finished eating and doing the dishes about 5, and then the dogs wanted their dinner! Now there was something wrong with that picture. They got their crunchies, but not canned food.

I boned the turkey, and now the carcass is simmering in a pot on the stove.  I’ll simmer those bones for a day until the broth is rich and delicious!  Then it’ll be turkey soup time.

So, the day was a good one, and I’m happy I was able to stay on my eating plan too. It makes Thanksgiving that much better.