thankful for thanksgiving

For the first time in my 20+ Thanksgivings I missed a Doucet Thanksgiving.  I even made it to my parents the Thanksgiving I had mono.  I was so sad to miss out on hanging with the Doucet crazies, but had an absolute beautiful 1st Thanksgiving as a Thibault.  Tyler out did himself and my stomach was much obliged.  I look forward to many more Thibault Thanksgivings.  We may even need a couple practices so that I can taste all these delicious foods again.

Not only did we get to enjoy great company and fantastic food, but we also were able to watch Marci in the Macy's Day Parade.   I only wish I would have kept one of the pics she sent.  Maybe I'll find one and post it soon.

Pumpkin squash soup with crab meat, a REAL turkey carved by my man, drunken chicken, crawfish stuffing, pea salad (which I am the only person who enjoyed), and wedding china.  So thankful for Thanksgiving! 

Can we go back to Thanksgiving day???  I need some drunken chicken in my life.

All of my babies asleep after a long day of cooking.  Billie is on the floor...she's my baby...and no, Tyler, she is mine, too!

harvest bistro = yum

Thanks to Mrs. Beth, my wonderful mom-in-law, Tyler and I were able to stuff our faces with delicious food and even better wine.  Walking in put me right into the Christmas-time mood.  Their beautifully decorated Christmas tree was next to a lit fire place.  It was spectacular.  Tyler wasn't really into me taking pictures so here a few to show how yummy it was.

This bistro was different from others because it was served family style.  Everyone at the bistro enjoyed dinner and WINE at one table.  It was so nice meeting other people...especially getting to sit next to the two men who brew the wine.  Tyler was in heaven.

Yummy!  This delicious rosemary flatbread was topped with yams, fingerling potatoes, olives, and feta.  Let me tell you...it was heaven on a plate. 

Can I say insane?  Insane and delectable.  An apple, fennel, and beet salad with toasted walnuts, blue cheese, and a spiced vinaigrette. I needed more but didn't think it would be appropriate to ask for seconds.

Tyler just made a confit and this was a close second to his.  I may love Prairie Berry but I do love my hubsters and his cookin'.  This beauty consists of pork shoulder and garlic sausage braised with cannelini beans seasoned with duck confit and aromatics topped with herbed breadcrumbs. 

Oh, yeah!

The best dessert I've had in a while!  Even Tyler licked the plate clean.  Who wouldn't...cardamom ice cream topped with caramelized pears and drizzled with salted caramel.  I cannot wait to try this at home.  Who am I kidding? I'm never going to make this.

Touring the winery was amazing.  I kept taking tons and tons of pictures and Ty was so embarrassed.  O well.  He should be prepared by now for my crazy photo madness. 

halloween (and snow) in sodak

During one of my classes, I looked out the window and saw snow.  I freaked out and made one of kids in the class take a picture of me with my first snowfall of the year (and my fourth snowfall of my life).  

It's SNOWING!!! I was so distracted trying to teach with snow falling outside.

Nola kept trying to keep her paws off the snow.  Billie kept trying to figure out what was on the ground.  She would freak out, run a few steps, drop down, and repeat the process.

Must admit that SoDak snow tasted heavenly.  I just need to figure out how to get Tyler to stop playing "snow fight" inside.

Halloween was a success.  As one of the Three Blind Mice, I recommend this costume.  The walking stick was a hit and made for a great dancing prop.  

If only we had more kids in the neighborhood searching for candy in OUR neighborhood.  Way too many ghosts, witches, and ninjas know where the good stuff is and head to base housing.  I was slightly disappointed at first but then we ended up having a few kids trick or treat.  Plus, I got to scare some older kids...really scare them.  So it all worked out. 

My Halloween Day costume.  Can you guess what I was?

Monster muffins for school. 

Batman to the rescue.  And, no, this is not Tyler.

well that was fun...day 4 and 5

Met a dear friend, hung out with the fam, and took Brooks to one of the best places on earth...FROSTO!

 

well that was fun...day 3 and KATE's MARRIED

Mr. and Mrs. Pemberton

Still cannot believe that our Katie is now a MRS.  Get ready for many pictures of Kate's amazing wedding.  It was not only perfect...it was PERFECT.  The entire wedding screamed "Kate and Peyton."  Every detail was geared toward their personality and every guest loved the idea of the laid back, personal, unique, elegant, and lovely wedding. 

Day Three:

O my goodness.  GOOD MORNING, Gautreaux's.  I tried to eat the entire dozen, but was fought off by my siblings. 

Game day with the fam and Duke. 

Punkin trying to teach Brooks a few things, or was it the other way around?

Breakfast at the Doucets

Anxiously waiting to see the bride!

Yum.  Crawfish and some serious Louisiana cookin'.

The gang minus Marci who was snapping the photo.

How perfect.  Kate, can we do this again?

Twinkies.

Sassy.  And always ready for the camera.

An absolute stunning bride.

The cake topper was one of my faves.  Plus the berry chantilly cake was ideal!

Love.  I love them.  They love each other.  Love.  Love.  Love.

Someone's ready, and it ain't one of the girls.

Finished the night off with a little more Trash Fest.

Congrats to the newlyweds!