Thanksgiving Recap

We headed to Houston for the holiday weekend to spend time with family.  Joey's dad's family was the first stop.  We got there Wednesday evening and Angie cooked us Joey's favorite, Chicken Parmesan, for dinner.  Thursday we headed to Uncle John & Aunt Becky's for a great Thanksgiving feast.  This was me and JW's third Thanksgiving as a married couple and first time to spend Thanksgiving day with Joey's dad's family.

Joey with the dogs taking a nap

Matthew, Joey, Grandma Hance, and Joe watching football

The girls

Me, Jennifer, MeMaw (Angie's mom), Macie, and Angie

Basketball after the meal- a Hance family tradition

Recie and Harley

Recie had grown a lot since the last time we saw her and is a ball of energy.  It was fun to watch her and Har play.  Harley was very gentle, and Recie wasn't the least bit scared of Harley despite their big difference in size.  They had a good time together and wore each other out.

Friday around lunch time we headed to Sugar Land to do Thanksgiving with my family.  Taylor drove home from Lubbock Friday after having to work on Thursday.  My parents cooked their Thanksgiving feast for dinner on Friday so we could all be there. 

Noel and Harley laying at the back door that dad just went out with the turkey.

The dogs followed dad around the house all day.  That is pretty normal, but they were more glued to him than usual since he was cooking the big bird.

Claire, Mom, and Dad carving the yummy turkey

Me and the hubs

Sibling picture- Claire, Hunter, Me, and Taylor

Momma Hance had to work most of the weekend, but we got to go over and see her Saturday night.  The dogs played and we watched the Baylor vs. Texas Tech football game over there.  Sic 'Em!  Taylor was sick most of the weekend, so I went easy on him with the smack talk, but it was still fun to rub the win in a little bit when I got home. :)  It was a fun filled 4 day holiday weekend!  We have so much to be thankful for, and family is certainly at the top of the list.

Home Cooked Sunday: Thanksgiving Dinner

This week for Sunday Dinner we had a Thanksgiving feast.  It was a great way to kick off the holiday week! 

Menu
Dinner: Roasted Turkey and Vegetables, Cornbread Dressing, Sweet Potato Casserole

Carolyn also brought a yummy corn casserole and oreo cheesecake for dessert.  Here's a picture of our feast.

And the great thing is- after spending much of the afternoon in the kitchen cooking, we'll have enough leftovers to eat for the short week we will be in town before we head to Houston to spend Thanksgiving with our family.

This was my first time to cook a turkey, and I sort of made this recipe up as I went along.  I watched some episodes on Food Network this week and combined several ideas I got.  I had fun, and it turned out great!  The turkey was crisp on the outside and so juicy and flavorful on the inside... yum!

The Turkey

Brine:

• 6 quarts water
• 3/4 cup salt
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 head of garlic, peeled and broken up
• 6 bay leaves
• 1/2 onion, cut into large chunks

• 13 lb. turkey
• 1 stick butter, softened
• 1 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. pepper
• 1 tsp. dried basil
• 1 tsp. dried rosemary
• 1 tsp. dried sage
• 1/2 tsp. paprika
• 1 Tbs. fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 bundle fresh thyme
• 1 red onion, chopped into large chunks
• 1 head of garlic, peeled
• 3 carrots, peeled and chopped into large chunks
• 5 red potatoes, chopped into large chunks
• 1-2 cups of chicken broth
• 1 cup white wine
• olive oil

Directions:

In a large pot heat water and following 6 brine ingredients to dissolve salt and sugar and release flavor of remaining ingredients.  Remove from heat.  Fill a large bucket halfway full of ice and place turkey, cavity side up, on top.  Allow brine to cool a little and then pour brine into the bucket allowing turkey to be fully submerged in liquid.  Cover and leave turkey soaking overnight (at least 12 hours).  Note: If you have room in your refrigerator you can reduce amount of ice and keep in there. 

Remove turkey from the brine and place on rack in roasting pan, breast side up, on the counter for about 30 minutes allowing it to dry and come to room temperature.  Meanwhile, combine butter and next 6 ingredients.  Rub all over the outside of the turkey and under the skin on the breast.  Tie the bundle of thyme with butchers twine and place inside the cavity of the turkey.  Place a quarter of the onion inside the cavity along with a few cloves of garlic, and one carrot.  Place the remaining onion, garlic, carrots, and potatoes in the bottom of the roasting pan with chicken broth and white wine.  Tuck the wings under the turkey and tie the legs together. 

Drizzle olive oil over the top of the turkey and place in the oven at 350 degrees for 3 hours or until internal temperature of turkey reaches 165 degrees.  Remove turkey every hour to baste with liquid and check temperature.  When turkey is done, allow to rest for 30 minutes before carving.  Joey did the honor of carving our bird.  It was his first time and he did a great job!

Corn Bread Dressing

recipe courtesy of Mom

Ingredients:

• 2 pkgs corn bread mix, cooked according to package instructions
• 3 slices of bread
• 6 hard boiled eggs
• 2 stalk of celery, finely diced (I only used 1)
• 1 yellow onion, finely diced (I used half)
• 1 stick butter, melted
• 2 raw eggs, lightly whisked
• 2-3 cans chicken broth
• salt, pepper, poultry seasoning, sage: to taste

Combine all ingredients in a 9 x 13 casserole dish.  Bake at 400 degrees for 20-30 minutes or until slightly browned and crusty on top.

Sweet Potato Casserole

I adapted this one from one I had from Momma Hance.

Ingredients:

• 3 sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped into large chunks
• 3/4 cups sugar
• 3 eggs
• dash of salt and dash of cinnamon
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 stick butter

Topping:

• 1 stick melted butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
• 1 cup mini marshmellows

Put potatoes in large pot and cover with water.  Bring water to boil on stove and cook for about 20 minutes or until potatoes are fork tender.  Drain water and add remaining ingredients to potatoes in pot and mash.  Place into a 2 quart baking dish and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.  Meanwhile, combine all ingredients for topping.  Remove sweet potatoes from oven, pour topping over top of potatoes, and return to oven for another 10 minutes.

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving with lots of great food and time with people you love!

Sic 'Em BU Homecoming

The weekend before my life got crazy with an event week was Baylor Homecoming!  Tegan was still with us, and Meg and Rich came back in town on Thursday evening.  It was fun to have them back in Waco for the weekend.

Tegan and Harley

The weather was nice, so our girls spent most of the weekend outside.

Kristen, Georgia, and Matt

On Friday, Megan's sister, brother-in-law, and niece came to Waco and stayed with us for a night.  It was fun to see them, and Georgia is so stinking cute!  She has grown a lot since the last time we saw her.

Friday night we headed to campus for the pep rally and bonfire. It was fun to be back on campus. 

Me and the hubs

Shay and me

We ended up getting to campus pretty early and found the library, that now has a Starbucks in it... new addition since our college days.  That's where we met up with Shay Bear and got warm drinks that took the chill off walking around before they lit the bonfire.

Me, Joey, Megan, Rich, and Shay

I enjoyed the music that the Golden Wave Band played at the pep rally... all the songs that I remember from the sideline when I cheered in college. Shay and Megan were laughing at me trying to make sure we didn't miss any of it.

Sic 'Em Baylor Homecoming 2011!

We Made It!

Last week was a pretty intense week with my big fall event for work on Thursday and Joey's first week of a new quarter.  We both worked A LOT of hours, and I am thankful that life is not that demanding all the time. 

It was a team effort at the Hance House last week.  Even Harley was trying to help (or she was just being ornery).  She kept laying on my black fabric that I was twisting with purple ribbon and lights to go around the Big Board.

Poor Joey, I think I only cooked once... We had take out, skillet meals, pizza, and he made breakfast one night.  It was yummy!  Our moms both came in town on Thursday for support and to attend the event.  I was so thankful to have them there.  I don't think I will ever be too old to feel comforted by my mom.  Megan even made the trip from Coppell.  I was very appreciative for the love and support.

The event was a raving success!  We had a sold out crowd and raised more than double what we raised at this event last year.  Everyone had a blast, and I had fantastic volunteer leaders that I could not be more thankful for. 

I am also quite thankful it is over!  After dreaming, planning, and working on this event for months, it was very rewarding to see it all come together.  It was a ton of work though.  I had a restful weekend and have scheduled a massage for next week.  Momma Hance won an auction package that included a 60 minute massage, and since it was in Waco, she gave it to me.  I am very much looking forward to it!!!  It's been years since I have had one, and my muscles are still aching from being tense and from all of the labor that goes into setting up and breaking down an event.  Thanks for the thoughts and prayers last week!  We are now post Signature Chefs Auction 2011 and it feels good. 

My Help

Have you had those weeks where just thinking about your responsibilities and the tasks you have to get done puts your stomach in knots?  I have one of those weeks coming up with a big event for work on Thursday.  The event will be our second-annual Signature Chefs Auction in Waco, and our large fundraiser for the fall.  We have worked hard on it for several months and most everything is falling into place, but there are many last-minute details that need to be accomplished this week.  I have had a lot of volunteer help, but being a one-staff-person office leaves a lot of room for me to pile the pressure on myself.  I want everything to be perfect and am ultimately the one that the responsibility falls on. 

I was reminded by a devotional from "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young this weekend that I am not alone. Here is an excerpt that I will probably come back to more than once this week:

Walk peacefully with Me through this day.  You are wondering how you will cope with all that is expected of you.  You must traverse this day like any other; one step at a time.  Instead of mentally rehearsing how you will do this or that, keep your mind on My Presence and on taking the next step.  The more demanding your day, the more help you can expect from Me.  This is a training opportunity, since I designed you for deep dependence on your Shepherd-King.  Challenging times wake you up and amplify your awareness of needing My help.

When you don't know what to do, wait while I open the way before you.  Trust that I know what I'm doing, and be ready to follow My lead.  I will give strength to you, and I will bless you with Peace.

I know this will be easier said than done, but here is what I will aim to focus on this week:

The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with Peace.
-Psalm 29: 11

My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
-Psalm 121: 2

Even youths grow tired and weary; and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
-Isaiah 40: 30-31

Reunited

Harley has been Joey's buddy this week while he has been home studying.  She likes having him around during the day.  Here's a cute picture I got earlier this week.

Yesterday, Har was reunited with another buddy... Tegan is here to visit for the week!  Rich and Meg came in town to attend the fundraising gala for the organization that Megan works for last night.  BU Homecoming is this weekend, and they will be back in Waco for that, so we offered to let Tegan stay with us for the few days in between. 

They are having fun together!

It's a busy week for me with my big March of Dimes fall fundraiser coming up next week and Joey in the midst of finals, so we are glad Harley has a friend to keep her busy.  Only a couple more days until the weekend... and that means Baylor Homecoming and Joey being done with finals!  Woo hoo! 

New Addition

Harley is getting a little sister.... a four-legged one!


These will be the parents of our new husky girl. 

Momma is on the left and dad is on the right.

We have put down a deposit with Hero's Huskies, the breeder we got Harley from, for the first pick of a female in the litter from the parents above.  We hope to select a red and white husky girl from this litter that is due mid-November and will be ready to come home with us around Christmas.  We have been talking for awhile about getting another dog, and the timing of it all just fell into place.  Harley is so social and playful, and we think she needs a friend.  We call her the energizer bunny since she always wears other dogs out and will keep instigating because she wants to keep playing.  We are very excited about adding a second dog to our family and look forward to the funny stories about the two of them I'm sure we will share.