What's Up Wednesday (November 23, 2016)

What's Up Wednesday is happening a week early this month!  As you know, if you have been reading for awhile, I LOVE these posts.  I especially love looking back at months past and seeing what we were up to.  It will be fun to look back 5 and 10 years from now too!

So, it is time to link up with Mel, Sheaffer and Shay HERE

What We Are Eating This Week

Well our meal planning goes out the window this week- well not completely.  We did grilled steaks and steamed broccoli on Monday night and soup last night but other than that it is THANKSGIVING WEEK!  You know what that means?  Thursday is the BEST food day all year!

Wednesday Night, tonight, we are having 

"Thanksgiving Eve" 

with friends and fam

I am doing apps, some of which include

Pumpkin Hard Cider Dip (also making it for Thanksgiving) Recipe HERE

Cranberry White Cheddar dip (another one that will make another appearance on Thanksgiving) Recipe HERE

Cranberry Cocktail Meatballs

Baked Chicken Nachos

and a Gourmet Flatbread 

Thanksgiving Morning

All the kiddos are home and I always make breakfast.

After breakfast we do the Windham Turkey Trot as a fam.  We need to get the metabolism going for the big day!

This year, I am trying two of Shay's recipes

Pumpkin Bread and Sausage Bake HERE 

and Bacon and Gruyere Crescent Casserole HERE

 Thanksgiving Dinner "The Big Kahuna"

What I love about Thanksgiving is that my family all cooks a few dishes so it is not all on one person.  We all come together and enjoy a feast and it really is my favorite holiday to host!

 Here is our 2016 Menu:

Appetizers

Mum's Stuffed Mushrooms

Pumpkin Hard Cider Dip with Crackers

Cranberry  White Cheddar Dip with French Bread

Fig and Goat Cheese in Puff Pastry with Honey

Caramel Apple Martinis, Wine and Beer

Dinner

Roasted Turkey

Mashed Potato Bread Stuffing

Cranberry Sausage Stuffing

French Pork Stuffing

Green Beans with Shallots and Bacon

Onions and Cream Sauce

Fried Corn

Ruth Chris's Bourbon Sweet Potato Bake

Peas

Mashed Potatoes

Mashed Squash

Rolls

 Dessert

Pumpkin Pie

Apple Pie

What I'm Reminiscing About

With Diana rehearsing for the Nutcracker, I have been reminiscing so much about my days in the Boston  Ballet's Nutcracker.  I was lucky enough to be cast in the production for four years in a row.  

My parents have some pictures- I need to dig them out at some point.  I was a doll the first year and a soldier the next three.  It was definitely a highlight of my life and I am so glad that Diana is enjoying her production.  She got cast as a Polichinelle which was my DREAM PART when I was a child!

What I'm Loving

Hallmark Movies and Scarfs

I know random right?  Ha ha!!!!

I started watching the Hallmark Romance Christmas movies two weeks ago- the earliest yet!  I just can't turn them off! :)

and some favorite scarfs

What We've Been Up To

We wrapped up cheer season on a very high note when we performed in a town-wide cheer showcase, then placed 2nd at the State Cheer Comp at SNHU and a few weeks later, we placed 1st at the Londonderry Fall Classic!

Missing those nuggets but loving my quality fam time!

We had lots of Halloween Fun!

We experienced another successful Turf Fundraiser/Halloween Bash

We voted!

We saw trolls with our trolls ;)

We enjoyed dining at Greer's and later learned how to make some of her best appetizers

We celebrated Veteran's Day

We went to Portsmouth with Lea and Sam

Mama enjoyed a girls' night out at Bergamot

Diana tried out for ECE for the 5th year in a row!

We had friends over for dinner!

Diana has been busy practicing for the big Nutcracker production this weekend!

Quick shot at Dress Rehearsal :)

Mama did some "Black Friday Pre-Gaming" with the BFF

We have all been getting into the Christmas spirit....

 especially Pidge!

Someone surprised Mama at Friday Morning Mass and made her cry

and there have been lots of fun girls nights sprinkled in

and Diana received her 1st Holy Communion :)

What I'm Dreading

The Winter- The Lack of Sun- BOO!

What I'm Working On

Preparing to host Thanksgiving Eve and Thanksgiving 

and preparing for Christmas!

What I'm Excited About!

All of the fun that comes along with Thanksgiving Week

The cooking and preparing and then

Thanksgiving Eve with Friends and Fam (and Rob's band!)

Thanksgiving Morning - Breakfast and Turkey Trot with all of the kiddos

Thanksgiving Dinner with our Fam

Black Friday Shopping with the BFF 

and then the Nutcracker on Saturday and Sunday

Such quality time with everyone we love!  May the festivities begin!

A quick look back....

2008

 2009

2010

 2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

What I'm Watching/Reading

Oh the shows...the shows....here we go....

This Is Us...

duh!  I don't think there is one blogger I am following who does not watch this wonderful show!  I also didn't know that a washing machine would make me cry ;)

 American Housewife...

LOVE her

Younger...

Jane The Virgin

Life...In Pieces

Designated Survivor

Greys

Dance Moms

and lots and lots of.....

Hallmark!

 and I am still making my way through

The Choice by Nicholas Sparks- so far so good

 What I'm Listening To

Sirius XM Holly

Oh yes!!!!!

What I'm Wearing

A Little Lilly from the After Party Sale
Adair Sweater

 Some Macy's Finds

Bar III Color Block Sweater Top

and the INC dress for Diana's 1st Communion

Similar Available

 and a festive top from the Loft

 What I'm Doing This Weekend
Black Friday with the BFF
Here we are last year

and.....
The Nutcracker!!!
Can't wait to see Diana as a Polichinelle

  and we will be DECORATING of course!!

What I'm Looking Forward To Next Month
All of the Christmastime Festivities...
Festival of Trees and Stone Zoo Lights with Mimi and Papa, The Atkinson Tree Lighting With the Grahams...My 2nd Annual Holiday Recipe Exchange Party (Breakfast Edition), The Holiday Stroll with the Batsons...Jammie Christmas....The Wine Group Christmas Party, Fournier Breton Christmas...The Feast of the Seven Fishes at Auntie Peggy's on Christmas Eve and all of the family time on Christmas Day

 
What Else Is New?
Deciding on where to go with the Batsons for a couple of days during February vaca. Suggestions are much appreciated!

Bonus Question For The Month:
What is my favorite Thanksgiving Tradition?
I would have to say hosting everyone- love being surrounded by our family in our warm home and making new memories every year!

 Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!