Our first Thanksgiving

Last week Jace and I were so excited for Thanksgiving and to enjoy a few days together. We missed our families terribly but we were thankful that we could be together. I didn't want the day to pass and us not celebrate so I cooked, baked, and prepared way too much food. I wouldn't have had it any other way. Thanks to Jace's help and several family recipes, we pulled off our first Thanksgiving!

At 7 AM on Thursday I woke up and put our three pound turkey in the crockpot and then crawled back in bed. When we decided to finally get up, we took our time and watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Finally, my anxious nerves couldn't take it any longer and I got started with my dishes. Our plan was to eat around 3:30 PM and I was afraid I would late.

I would prep dishes and get them ready and Jace would wash dishes. I couldn't have done it without Jace. By him doing the dishes, I always had an clear countertop and an empty sink. We definitely tag teamed the entire day and I am happy to say we ate on time.

Fruit Salad Maker

The dish I was most nervous about was Teak's dressing balls. Teak's dressing balls and her sweet potato casserole is what makes Thanksgiving to me. I desperately wanted them to taste like my Teak's. I doubled checked with Mom before I made the balls and she walked me through each step.

Dressing Ball mix

I did each step, exactly as she explained it and y'all they tasted like Teak's!!! They didn't look exactly like hers but honey, they tasted just as good! The sweet potato casserole turned out heavenly and I am thankful for leftovers!

I also tried my hand at my Mom's apple crisp. It smelled like my momma's, it looked like my momma's, and more importantly, it tasted like my momma's! I was too full on Thursday to eat any but we have slowly nibbled away at it this weekend.

Mom's Apple Crisp

When 3:30 PM rolled around, I stood back and admired our countertop full of food, most of which were recipes passed down to me.

Our spread

I couldn't help it but I cried. I cried because I missed my family; I cried because I was so thankful for their recipes which made me feel like they were with me; I cried because I was happy that we had accomplished our first Thanksgiving meal together.

Carving the turkey

Then, Jace said the prayer and we both looked up and had the sniffles. It's hard to be away from family on the holidays but we were thankful for God's many blessings and seeing us through this crazy year.

We ate and I might have let out a small yell when I tasted that first bite of dressing ball! We took our time and enjoyed each dish. While eating the meal, we realized we have a much deeper appreciation for the women in our families that have fixed the meal year-end and year-out. We realized just how much work it is and how exhausting it can be!

After all the dishes were put away, we sat down and looked at all the ads. Now I must say that I think it is wrong that stores opened up Thursday night. Those workers deserve to be with their families. But then I saw a sale and it couldn't be passed up. Before I knew it, Jace and I were at Macy's! It was my first time Black Thursday/Friday shopping and Lord the people. People were going crazy over a $9.99 toaster. No thank you. We thankfully found a spot that people weren't acting a fool in and it was fairly quiet. We were home within an hour and I must say it was worth our time and it was fun. I don't know if shopping will be a new tradition but it was fun for this year.

The next day we got out and looked some more at the sales. When I was worn out from the mall and hunting for a parking space, we headed home and had glorious leftovers. We were exhausted at this point and the couch was calling our names but there was no rest for the weary. We had a ball game to get to! We had tickets for the UF v. Florida State game. Now, it was no Rupp Arena but it was fun. The game went down to some free throws and UF pulled out a W. It was a great win and a great game. Jace and I can't wait to see more games.

I hope y'all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and enjoyed time with family and loved ones.