(T)arina and (A)tkins in Chicago

We had our first Thanksgiving as a married couple this year. It was also the first Thanksgiving that neither of us were able to be with our families. It was a little bittersweet, to hear about the fun everyone was having back at home. We definitely miss all our families and friends.

We decided to stay tradition-adjacent and make a chicken (a turkey would have been waaay too much food for the two of us). We also made the typical trimmings: mashed potatoes, cornbread stuffing, salad, cranberry sauce, green beans with almonds, and of course pumpkin pie (made by Atkins). It was the first whole poultry I’ve roasted and I have to say, it came out pretty darn tasty! Even the white meat was nice and juicy. I was pretty proud.

It was just me, Atkins and a friend from my work (she’s a vegetarian, which was another reason to keep the bird scaled down). And I have to say, it was really nice! The food was yummy, and the company was great. The wine flowed freely. ;) And then we played Mario Kart on the Wii, which was pretty hilarious given how much wine we had.

Here’s a few pictures of how I set the table: (Sorry no food pics, I was too hungry to take pics after the table was loaded)

A wide view of the table. We put the leaf in the middle for extra space.

Close up of Mr. Turkey, the centerpiece. He’s stuffed, but he wasn’t eaten.

Here’s a closeup of the wreath that you can see on the wall in picture one. I made this wreath. Yes, I know, I’m just so crafty. Okay, it came in a kit, but I put it all together. I also added the fun little swirlies on some of the leaves and the curlie-q wires that I’m not sure you can even see. I thought they added a little more visual interest.

This season we have a lot to be thankful for. Our health, jobs, housing, and most of all, we are very thankful for our wonderful friends and family and we give them lots of love and hugs over the interwebs. We miss you and hope to see you soon!

• Leave a comment... (0)

No, we didn’t attend the rally downtown, but the energy in Chicago radiated far and wide. It was amazing to be here, to be a part of history in the making.

Even late into the day, I was nervously thinking, “What if he doesn’t make it? What if the dems have a poor showing at the voting booths?” and other quasi-paranoid, Palin-fearing questions.

Of course, all my fears were allayed by 8 or 9 pm when all the networks started calling an Obama victory. Still, I didn’t fully relax until McCain’s concession speech. I have to admit, it was really classy, especially at first. The Republicans in the crowd booing was decidedly less classy, but that’s how it goes.
Seeing Oprah, Jesse Jackson, and tens of thousands of other Obama supporters cheering, hugging, feeling elated was amazing, and I admit I was moved to tears more than once. What an amazing milestone to have accomplished.

I only hope that people can come together without fierce party loyalties and we can all help to improve this country of ours and once again make it great. I’m filled with an optimism that I haven’t known, possibly ever, in an election. I am sure that despite what happens in the next four years, it will make history. I just hope it’s for the best.

• Leave a comment... (0)