Happy Thanksgiving 2011

This year we squeezed in some friends with their two little boys into our home for dinner. To go with the more casual theme I covered our drop-leaf table with craft paper and set mis-matched napkins out -- which you can do if all your plates are white. One of our trees out front produces gorgeous, bright-hued, waxy leaves which I used in lieu of flowers.

Olives, nuts, and cheese -- which we didn't really need because we all went up on the roof for oyster slurping. I was especially impressed by our friends' 7-year-old son, who showed enthusiasm for both oysters and vinaigrette.

Salad of spinach, fennel bulb, and apple with an apple cider vinegar and delicata squash seed oil dressing, topped with a bit of saffron fennel salt. And from that point on we were having so much fun I neglected to take any more pictures! No turkey shot this year. Oh well. We had a bourbon red (or maybe a blue slate, not positive) which I overcooked a bit. I can't help thinking these heritage breed turkeys would be better served braised. I think I'll have to try that next year. Hope your Thanksgiving was tasty and convivial!