Thanksgiving Feast

This year we had...
-Spaghetti with meatballs (My tradition)
-Cornish Game Hen
-Stuffing
-Mashed potatoes
-Roasted Asparagus
-Turkey breast
-Gravy
-Cranberry Sauce from a can (Rich's tradition)
-Rolls

Homemade Pie

This year for Thanksgiving I decided to make a pumpkin pie from scratch. When I went to the pumpkin patch the farmer told me this greenish pumpkin would make a delicious pie. I had no idea what kind of pumpkin to use for a pie, so I trusted the farmer. This decision was confirmed when I watched an episode of Good Eats, with Alton Brown, and he stated the Jarrahdale pumpkin was one of the three best options for making pumpkin pie from scratch.

The night before Thanksgiving we made the pie. I DVRed the pumpkin pie episode of Good Eats and watched it a few times before so I would know what to do. It actually is very simple. The hardest thing was cutting the pumpkin and scraping out the seeds. By watching the show we learned a few tips from Mr. Brown (he's a genius). We cut the pumpkin open with a big knife and rubber mallet. The mallet made it so easy and now lives in the kitchen so I can use it for all the winter squash Ava likes to eat. After scraping out the seeds we roasted it until tender, scraped out the flesh and pureed it. That was pretty much all there was too it. We just added a few spices, half-and-half, couple of eggs, and some brown sugar. We also didn't use a traditional pie crust. Alton Brown made a gingersnap cookie crust, but I altered that and made a vanilla wafer cookie crust.

I think it came out pretty good. Of course I didn't eat any, but Rich said it was very good. He thought it tasted fresher and had a nice mellow pumpkin flavor. He also liked the crust and preferred it to a typical pie crust.

Jarrahdale Pumpkin

Rich enjoyed helping me cut the pumpkin open. It was easier and probably safer with the two of us working together. Although, Rich's face is a little sinister in the picture.

I scrapped out the seeds. I didn't use my teeth. I used an ice cream scoop which was another tip from Alton Brown.

Roasted pumpkin

On the morning of Thanksgiving I made a blackberry pie. I have been promising one to Rich since summer and finally got around to it. I was excited to use the French rolling pin Rich gave me. I also used the rolling pin bands my parents gave me to help keep the crust an even thickness. Both tools worked great and the pie was tasty (according to Rich).

To add a little something special to the blackberry pie I made whipped cream. Homemade whipped cream isn't that big of a deal, but this one was blackberry whipped cream. I saved some of the berry juice and thought it would be fun to add it to the whipped cream. It gave the cream a subtle berry flavor and turned it a light violet. Rich really enjoyed this topping and I was impressed by my ingenuity.

We had three pies for Thanksgiving. I made the pumpkin and blackberry. Rich made me a chocolate since I don't like the other two.

BACKLOG

Since we had so many Kauai pictures I have neglected to keep up with what is going on right now. I just looked on our camera and realized I haven't even downloaded our Thanksgiving pictures. Since I have a backlog of pictures the next few post will be dedicated to some old news.

When we got home from vacation we decided to buy Ava a potty chair. We have been talking about using the potty and thanks to an Elmo video she was showing more interest in the idea. At first we bought a seat cover because the idea of cleaning a potty chair grosses me out (it reminds me of a bed pan). Ava did not like the seat cover! It seemed to scare her. At the store she showed interest in the chair and was excited about it when we got home. She played with it for a few days and even went pee-pee in it before bath one night. We were so excited, but then she stopped showing interest in it. I wonder if it was because the Elmo Potty Time video was due back at the library...Hmmm? Anyway we aren't too worried because she still isn't even 2 and we know it will all happen when she is ready.

When we flew home the Jensen's kindly picked us up at the airport. We were happy to see them especially Nathan. He is such a sweet cousin and so good to Ava. He shares a love of Buzz with Ava (or at least he use to) and decided to give her one of his old toys. Ava loves her new Buzz Lightyear and plays with it often. She loves that it has lights that spin around really fast.

We bought this easel at IKEA several months ago. At the time Ava was still too small to use it, but now she is just right. Ava loves to color and loves to tell us what to draw for her. For a while all she wanted us to draw was Luca, but she has moved on to other things. When Rich is at work she tells me what to draw in this order: Luca, Daddy, butterfly, & flower. Sometimes I get bored and try to throw other animals or rainbows in there, but she likes to keep it simple. Recently, she has started to color more on her own and it has turned into a great activity for church.

A couple weeks ago we had a interim meeting with our social worker at LDS Family Services. He was just checking in with us and making sure we are okay....By the way we are okay. We have not been contacted by any birthmoms yet and hope someday Ava will have a sibling, but we are not dwelling on it. We have Ava to keep us busy and make us laugh.

These next two photos are good examples of Ava making us laugh. After our meeting we went next door to D.I. (like Salvation Army) to check out the books and toys. Every once in a while we can find something good. On this day we were lucky. We found an electronic piano. Ava loves to play pianos when she gets the chance and we have been discussing buying an electronic piano. She is still too young for lessons and we aren't sure if we wanted to invest in a nice keyboard until we know how Ava really feels about playing the piano. When we found this kid keyboard for a cheap price we couldn't pass it up. It doesn't make the greatest sounds and isn't like a real piano, but Ava loves it. She played with it in the car all the way home and sang too. This seems like a great start and if Ava continues to show a love for music we might have to make room for an electronic piano or maybe even a real piano.

Christmas Balls

Ava loved all the decorated Christmas trees at the mall. Everywhere she looked she saw ball ornaments and kept saying & signing "ball".

New Calling

While we were in Kauai I got released from serving in the Young Women Presidency. I knew it was coming so it wasn't a shock. Our first Sunday home it was made official during church. I was a little sad, but I am excited for the new ladies that are serving. They are awesome women and I know they will be great for the YW in our ward.

I didn't have much of a break before I was issued a new calling. On the following Wednesday I was called to be the 2nd Counselor in the Primary Presidency. I was surprised by this calling and really excited. I love the primary and I'm excited to get to know the kids in our ward. I have now been serving for a couple weeks and have learned it is a busy calling. I'm still trying to figure everything out and get in a routine. I know it is just a matter of time and for now I'm just excited to be with the kids.

Wailua Falls

Snorkeling

Sleeping Giant Trail (Nounou West Trail)

Rich and I got up early one morning to hike to the top of the Sleeping Giant Mountain. We went up the west trail which is about 1.5 miles. We started at an elevation of 400 feet and ended on the giant's head at an elevation of 1241 feet. The hike was straight up, muddy, and full of exposed tree roots. The surrounding forest, unexpected orchids, and views were amazing. We enjoyed every minute of our journey and felt invigorated when we reach the top.

Pearls

When I went to Hawaii as a little girl I really loved getting a pearl. I thought it was so neat to be able to pick out an oyster and get the pearl inside. Since I treasured this memory so much I wanted to create a new memory with Ava.

Ava and I each picked an oyster. First, Ava picked hers and then I got mine. The lady at the store hinted to us the more beat up oysters usually have better pearls in them. We appreciated her hint because Ava got two black pearls from her oyster and I got a gold one.