Thanksgiving this year was spent with the Lams again, and it was as relaxing as the previous years. Mike's uncles moved to Naples, Florida, so we took a flight to the coastal city on Wednesday.
In Naples, they live in a club house next to a lake with an alligator (we didn't get to see it though doh). There was also a swimming pool! So if you can imagine...
I took a bus to Philadelphia on Wednesday to take a flight with Mike's family to Florida that evening. The flight was delayed because (1) crew problems and (2) rush hour. We were feeling antsy (we're all impatient people) but the flight itself felt unbelievably short and we arrived earlier than expected. When we got to the house, they already bought 3 boxes of pizza for us for dinner. Yum.
On Thursday, we prepared Thanksgiving dinner. Last year we were randomly grouped into teams of 3 to make pre-meal, greens, roots, turkey and potatoes (I think) and competed against each other Chopped-style. This year, we were ranked based on last year's meal and first place got to pick the dish/team they want first and so on as we go down the list. Luckily, I was THIRD even though my team was on the chopping block; my two team mates were ranked last :P I picked turkey, stuffing and gravy. I know, I was feeling overly ambitious. And I'm snagging first place hehe.
I suggested adding mac and cheese and mashed potatoes to next year's menu, and Mike said, "Don't mess with a good thing." Meh.
On Friday, we went to the beach and had lunch. Well, we passed by the beach on the highway -- our since we left the house around 2pm and had dinner reservations at the club house at 7pm, we couldn't hang out on the sand. Lunch was okay. Portions were humongous like you wouldn't believe it. Like the fatasses we are, we didn't want to share entrees and were still feeling stuffed during dinner. But we ate and cleaned our plates anyway.
It was a really great dinner... because we all dolled up. I don't usually dress up so it was nice to do this with family. And of course, the food:
On Saturday, we finally went to the beach!! It was really pretty. We went late in the afternoon so it was breezy and not to bright. It's a local beach so not so crowded, thank god. We ordered beer and pizza and two sisters went jet skiing! How fun. I wish I went but I didn't bring my bathing suit; next time! We also watched the sun set. It was perfect.
That evening, we also went to the mall to shop for our secret santa. It was also one of the uncle's birthday so we bought a tiramisu cake and floaties for their pool. For dinner, we had leftovers from Thanksgiving dinner :)
I always enjoy spending time with Mike's family. It's different from mine, in a good way. They're louder and crazier, and while I don't feel extremely close with them, I'm grateful that they invite me and share their homes with me.
Cheers!
In Naples, they live in a club house next to a lake with an alligator (we didn't get to see it though doh). There was also a swimming pool! So if you can imagine...
I took a bus to Philadelphia on Wednesday to take a flight with Mike's family to Florida that evening. The flight was delayed because (1) crew problems and (2) rush hour. We were feeling antsy (we're all impatient people) but the flight itself felt unbelievably short and we arrived earlier than expected. When we got to the house, they already bought 3 boxes of pizza for us for dinner. Yum.
On Thursday, we prepared Thanksgiving dinner. Last year we were randomly grouped into teams of 3 to make pre-meal, greens, roots, turkey and potatoes (I think) and competed against each other Chopped-style. This year, we were ranked based on last year's meal and first place got to pick the dish/team they want first and so on as we go down the list. Luckily, I was THIRD even though my team was on the chopping block; my two team mates were ranked last :P I picked turkey, stuffing and gravy. I know, I was feeling overly ambitious. And I'm snagging first place hehe.
And it came out tasting pretty good! I stuffed the turkey and it came out really juicy (probably from the brine -- uncle's work the previous night). The turkey was 24 lbs!! It didn't fit the tray and I needed help putting it in the oven. The turkey was dripping into the oven the entire time and made the house smell like barbecue.
THE SPREAD -- mixed roots (beets, parsnips, carrots), stuffing from the turkey salad, sweet potatoes with marshmallows...
string bean casserole, salad and more mixed roots.
THE SPREAD -- mixed roots (beets, parsnips, carrots), stuffing from the turkey salad, sweet potatoes with marshmallows...
string bean casserole, salad and more mixed roots.
I suggested adding mac and cheese and mashed potatoes to next year's menu, and Mike said, "Don't mess with a good thing." Meh.
On Friday, we went to the beach and had lunch. Well, we passed by the beach on the highway -- our since we left the house around 2pm and had dinner reservations at the club house at 7pm, we couldn't hang out on the sand. Lunch was okay. Portions were humongous like you wouldn't believe it. Like the fatasses we are, we didn't want to share entrees and were still feeling stuffed during dinner. But we ate and cleaned our plates anyway.
Goofing off
Okay a proper couple pic FINALLY
It was a really great dinner... because we all dolled up. I don't usually dress up so it was nice to do this with family. And of course, the food:
Lobster tail. I'm allergic to shellfish.
Lamb ribs
Open face sandwich.. forgot what kind of meat it was.
More lamb with fried gnocchi - delicious!
On Saturday, we finally went to the beach!! It was really pretty. We went late in the afternoon so it was breezy and not to bright. It's a local beach so not so crowded, thank god. We ordered beer and pizza and two sisters went jet skiing! How fun. I wish I went but I didn't bring my bathing suit; next time! We also watched the sun set. It was perfect.
That evening, we also went to the mall to shop for our secret santa. It was also one of the uncle's birthday so we bought a tiramisu cake and floaties for their pool. For dinner, we had leftovers from Thanksgiving dinner :)
I always enjoy spending time with Mike's family. It's different from mine, in a good way. They're louder and crazier, and while I don't feel extremely close with them, I'm grateful that they invite me and share their homes with me.
Cheers!