Other fun stuff from last weekend

 

Gabriela helped Nana bake muffins for breakfast. 

 

She played in this playground next door. Where Gabriela spends a lot of her outside time in Gilroy 

Gabriela read books with Nana and with Grandma

 

She also insisted that Grandpa read a book to Cozy the Kitty 

My sister Cynthia came into town from Boston for a few days before hitting the road. Shame on me for not taking pictures.  Here's a plate full of Fakesgiving dinner in her honor.  I roasted three chickens - one with a sage rub, another full of citrus juice and zest, and another with garlic, rosemary, dijon mustard, and white wine. 

Lane and I also went on a date to see a play at Pintello Comedy Theater and visit with our theater friends in Gilroy. We went back to visit Grandpa where Gabriela gobbled up cinnamon raisin toast and then moved on to tomatoes.  As soon as we arrived she said, "Grandpa, let's pick tomatoes!!!!"

A visit with Christianne

We're so lucky, Christianne came to California for a trip, and was able to spend a few days with our family!  She cried when she saw every one, so sweet.  All the kids adore Christianne.  Gabriela got a little confused and started calling her Auntie Kristie.  I can't believe Christianne is taller than me!!!

Since we were all together, we HAD to have Fakesgiving Dinner again.  Sorry, I was too busy to take pictures.  But we feasted on Parsley Sage Chicken Breasts, mashed potatoes, butternut squash risotto, fresh green bean casserole, stuffing, sweet potatoes, tossed green salad, and pumpkin cheesecake and brownies for dessert.

We can't wait to see Christianne again soon.

The Very First Fakesgiving

In honor of our special family time together, including the surprise arrival of another guest, we decided to have Fakesgiving Dinner on Saturday. During Fakesgiving dinner preparations, Christianne and I agreed that it should be our tradition to always have Fakesgiving when we get together.

Since it was, after all, our very first Fakesgiving we all awoke and wished each other a happy Fakesgiving. We celebrated by letting Christianne have a (very tiny) slice of chocolate cake at breakfast time. Okay, fine - Gabriela had some too. Don't worry, it was followed by a real and very delicious pancake breakfast. Thanks, Lane and David!

I am pleased to report that the first Fakesgiving was a great success - and a team effort, at that! For starters, Lane took care of brining the turkey. We didn't have enough room for it in our fridge, so we just covered it and put it outside all night. It was sure cold enough out there! Christianne and I made the citrus herb paste to go under the turkey skin. She also stuffed the turkey and seasoned it on the outside. Cynthia made the delicious spinach gratin. I made my famous hippie stuffing, Lane whipped up some awesome mashed potatoes, and David made the gravy. On top of that, Cynthia and Christianne made the Apricot Almond Bars and Cynthia helped me make the chocolate roulade with an espresso marscapone filling and chocolate ganache. Basically, we feasted.

After dinner everyone went outside to play in the snow. I'll post more on that later.

We came back from the snow, watched The Christmas Story, all took little naps, played Jenga, and obviously, ate a little more.

What a fantastic first Fakesgiving!