blue skies, stuffed stomach
November 26, 2010 Although a bit chilly, our Thanksgiving was full of blue skies. The dogs were walked first thing, breakfast was eaten, showers were taken, the car was packed with tons of food, and we were on our way.
A little through-the-car-window photography.
The mountains are turning white!
My garlic knots made an appearance for appetizers. I warmed them in the oven and then brushed them with butter + garlic + parsley + salt. I thought they turned out really well and love how cute they are!! Yes, bread can be cute!
There is no skimping on butter for Thanksgiving.
By now, everyone is pretty used to me photographing our get togethers, and I think they like it….?? :) I didn’t even get made fun of for bringing my tripod!
Ali, turkey master, was really excited about the braid in her hair.
Kurtz + Ann
There were a total of 3 turkeys cooked. 1 was baked, 1 was smoked, and 1 was roasted
Ali + Hovan are the best Thanksgiving coordinators you’ve ever seen. There was a loose plan of action for heating all of the side dishes once the turkey was done. It was stress-free and so much fun. I hate when holiday cooking becomes stressful, but this definitely did not!
Turkey roaster.
Lots of lounge time.
Which was so needed! Things have been really “go go go” lately. It was such a fun day sitting around + eating with friends.
Group photo time!
Me – Natalie – Ann – Ali – Jenna – Megan – Hannah
The kick line did not pan out so well…
Ann is the official salad maker. Always. And they are fabulous. I was excited to have something green on my plate….floating atop a sea of carbs!
I’ve never made gravy before, but it seems like quite the process!
Ali + Hovan + Kyle – the lovely hosts!
EVERYONE was in the kitchen during the last 10min before eating.
Hanging out during the last minute madness.
Carving station.
Ready to EAT!
The table was set…
The turkey was carved.
Ali’s hair was flipped.
The turkey was un-stuffed.
And plates were filled.
Don’t be fooled by all of the salad…there is more food underneath.
- green bean casserole
- cauliflower casserole
- cranberry horseradish sauce
- vanilla orange sweet taters
- mashed taters
- asparagus + tomatoes
- Hide bread rolls
- salad
- corn pudding
- slower cooker stuffing
There was no turkey on my plate this year, but I really didn’t miss it at all. I did hear that all 3 birds were delicious though! Everything was honestly amazing but the slower cooker stuffing was my absolute favorite part.
A horrible photo of the delicious Hide bakery rolls that I made from 101 cookbooks. These are quite dense, but have a great chew and love all of the crunchy seeds inside. Perfect for breakfast!
As the feasting began, we went around the table saying what we were thankful for…
It may have been my favorite part of the night…
Friends that are more like family…
The night was made complete with a dance party. The night is always made complete with a dance party.
How else is the food supposed to settle? I don’t think I’ve ever been so full in my life. The food felt like it was stuck in my diaphragm, but the discomfort was totally worth it.
1.5 second exposure produces ghost like dance moves.
Self timer tripod action!
Glazed over, stuffed, tired, happpppy. :)
I missed our family in Ohio but am so thankful for our friends in Colorado. :)
<3 Ashley
Family + Friends, thanksgiving in seasonal
Reader Comments (37)
<3 looks like a wonderful time!!!
I too had a wonderful day with extended chosen family! Everything looks like it was extremely tasty. Glad you had a wonderful day!
Being away from family myself, I truly understand the value of friends that become family!
You look adorable!
what a perfect night :) and i love when friends are like family...makes holidays that much more fun when you can't go home :)
What a fun Thanksgiving you had!
OH my gosh I am in love with this post. What beautiful mountains- I am so jealous!! Everything looks so delicious! This was the first year that I did not have any turkey either and did not miss it! Looks like such a fun time! Those garlic knots look so tasty- I made spelt-poppyseed butterhorns (inspired by 101cookbooks) but I would love the knots recipe!
looks like an incredible day
Looks like it was a really fun day! Can I be nosy and ask why you chose to not eat turkey? Are you not eating any meat lately?
Your Thanksgiving looked absolutely fab Ashley! I love the looks of those garlic knots.
What a wonderful evening! You guys look like you had so much fun!
I especially like the girl group photos :)
Your outfit is so cute, Ashley!! Looks like you had a fabulous day and lots of good food :)
What a fun time!!! Both the food and company look fabulous!
Gorgeous photos!! Gorgeous food, gorgeous people... :) Looks like such a great Thanksgiving. So excited for the snow! Where is everyone's favorite place to go skiing?!?!
Awww, your family looks like a lot of fun! Glad you had a great Thanksgiving! :-)
Those garlic knots are definitely cute!
Looks like you had a great Thanksgiving!
Ahhh I was sooo stuffed yesterday, too! I just wanted to lay down right in the middle of the livingroom. I STILL feel that way today!
Looks like you had such a fun time! Your friends seem so awesome!
So fun!!! I wish we lived nearby so we could get the invite.
I'm glad your stuffing turned out so well. And here you were worried :)
Well, we talked about you a lot at our Thanksgiving---all good!
Hope you have a good night, hon!
For sure. G + L would have loved the dance party! Aw, I'm glad I was talked about, but sad I missed the bingo! Hope you had an awesome day-after with the huz + kiddos!!
I forced 2 friends to go on a walk with me after dinner. THe food felt like it was stuck in my diaphragm, lol. We went for about a mile and it barely helped...then wine + dance party, which I don't think helped...I feel human today though! Hope to see you in a few weeks!
Aw, thank you Lauren. :) Definitely had to break out the stretchy pants for the feats! Hope you had a great day as well!
The girl photos are always so much fun to take...great memories! Hope you had a great Thanksgiving Camille!!
Thanks so much Brittany :) Hope yours was lovely as well!
Yes, you can be nosy! I haven't eaten meat since Easter..and before that it had been about 2 months. Over the past 3 years, I've slowly eaten less and less meat. Chicken was the first to go. It just lost all appeal to me after eating WAY too much of it in college. There are numerous other reasons too..having to do with things I've read + watched. I haven't really addressed it on the blog because it's just something I feel has been a natural transition and not a big life changing event. If I want meat, I'll eat it...but right now I don't! I'm okay with the idea of organic, grass-fed meat, local if possible, but just really have lost interest in it.
I was going to try the turkey if I felt the urge...but I didn't at all! Stuffing is where it's at! ;)
Garlic knots - http://whiteonricecouple.com/recipes/garlic-knots/
So glad you had a nice Thanksgiving with extended family as well!
Thanks Kel!! Glad you enjoyed your time with friends as well!
Eric really loves Chris's shirt....
LOVE the pictures of the mountains. I am so excited to move to Fort Collins next year!
Oooh fun!! We love it here!
hahahaa
Just wanted to say this is one of the beat Thanksgiving posts I've read. You guys look like you're having such a great time. Friends that are family rock! So do post-feast dance parties. :)
This looks like such a fun Thanksgiving get-together! I would love to do something like that one of these years.
The rolls you made are definitely cute! And I really love stuffing. I want to try slow-cooker stuffing!
Slow cooker stuffing is amazing...although that recipe used 2 sticks of butter, hehe.
Thank you so much Laura!! It really was so much fun. :) Hope you had a great week!
You and your friends are all so, so beautiful!