It's fair to say I get a little bah humbug once Halloween has ended and it's on to the rest of the holiday season. I let all the marketing get to me: I hate that Christmas starts before October is even over. But more than that, I hate that Thanksgiving seems to have turned into the red-headed step child of the holidays.
But 2012, you just might be the year to turn things around. I have some fun Christmas-y things to look forward to and this year's Thanksgiving was the best I've had in awhile.
This is where I started my day - the Houston Holiday Parade. I'd never been to this parade, much less been IN one. But that's exactly where I ended up. (I love my job and that it gives me the chance to do things most people won't ever get to do.)
Our float was just around the corner from where the balloons were being staged.
Getting up close to them was fun. You can't read them well in this photo (check out above), but I loved the Chronicle's headlines on their paper. As you can tell, this guy has a "ruff" job.
The view from our float.
View of downtown from our float.
Golden Dragon. This balloon was just in front of us in the parade. One day, I want to be a balloon handler.
On the parade route. Later in the day when my brother and sister-in-law came over for Thanksgiving dinner, I was informed my smiling and waving skills were not quite up to par...
My dad tagged along since I had a wristband for the fancy schmancy grand stands and he's always wanted to go to the parade. This was his and Jack's view of the parade route, right in front of Minute Maid Park.
Even though I need to work on my smile/wave, being in the parade was a really fun (and different) way to start the day - and an item to cross off the bucket list.
Sir Clayton welcomed us home after the parade with this festive message.
Then it was time for a favorite Thanksgiving tradition in our household: Bloody Mary's. I'm not a big fan of tomato so I usually opt for mimosas, but Katie's post-wedding brunch that included a Bloody Mary bar inspired me to give them a try. I like mine with a dash of garlic salt, large splash of olive juice and as many olives as I can jam into the glass. The homemade pickled okra, courtesy of Stacey's dad, was pretty delicious too. But just one - that's all the tomato my stomach can handle.
Mmm...turkey. I was very glad ours was stuffed with stuffing...not spaghetti like I dreamed earlier in the week. (Still not sure where that one came from...)
I was trying to get a shot to display my dad's expert carving skills along with my Great Hall candles (yes, still up from Halloween...) which we've decided to leave up through the rest of the holiday season. But SOMEONE was in photobombing mode. Jokes on you, little brother. Bet you didn't think I'd post this, did you? ;)
Carving shot.
While dad carves the turkey, mom makes the gravy from pan drippings. I'm not much for gravy, but this one I splash on my stuffing, potatoes and turkey.
I added the green bean casserole and sweet potatoes to the oven. When we opened the over to take everything out, this is what the garlic mashed potatoes looked like. Potato souffle!
Before & after. Yum.
Then I took a nap.
After dinner, Justin and Stacey bailed to take naps as well and returned later for pumpkin pasties, pumpkin cheesecake and buttermilk pie. I was feeling adventurous and has a little of all three. My stomach regretted the decision shortly after.
Then everyone ditched me to go Black Friday shopping at 8 p.m. I stayed home, watched a little more football and went to bed for real. All in all, lovely Thanksgiving.
Bonus points: fridge stuffed with leftovers.
