Thanksgiving 2011

We drove up to Knoxville to spend time with the Smith side of our family for Thanksgiving.  We had a great visit and enjoyed resting and relaxing at my parents' home, eating way too much, hanging out with family, and watching UK victories.

Kari (Neale's girlfriend), Neale (middle child), and Perry (the baby)-notice my brothers' hideous wolf T-shirts...I just don't get it!

Mom and Dad or Chef and Sous-chef

Isaac and Kyle

Dad feeding his grand-dog Kelsey (Neale's baby that he bought to pick up girls...I guess it worked)

Cat lover Isaac petting Belle who was freshly shaved and looking frightening!

Turkey paprika the day after Thanksgiving-yum!

Baby Joseph...a couple of years ago Perry found this plastic Joseph in the front yard.  After Perry and Dad drove around and couldn't find Joseph's home, he came to live at the Smith house and we named him "Baby Joseph" because of his short stature.  We like to prank Perry when we are home and involve Baby Joseph...last year Dad dressed him up in a puffy coat and backwards baseball cap and buckled him into Perry's car...the look on Perry's face was priceless when he got in his car the next day.  This year, Baby Joseph was waiting for Perry in bed after Perry worked a really long shift at Starbucks...the next morning Joseph was waiting for Perry in his bathroom.

Isaac got to play Santa bingo for the first time.  We played this game growing up every Christmas.

On Saturday, we celebrated the UK wildcats beating the UT Vols for the first time in 26 years in football!  Dad had to break out the champagne for this victory!

Dad also had to hang his UK flag for all of Knoxville to see.  I'm sure he'll be sporting his UK tie at work this week, too.

After the game, I watched Nurse Linda give Belle her fluids...the poor cat has kidney failure!  She looks really rough, but Mom swears that she is feeling better.

We also managed to put up the Christmas tree...Dad ended up in timeout for bad ornament placement...but everyone survived and the tree looks beautiful.

Cooking 101

I took a Cooking 101 course at the Rolling Pin this fall.  I had such a great time learning new skills in the kitchen over those 5 weeks and making a few new friends.  Sometimes I took leftovers home to Isaac, and I took pictures of everything to show off for those nights where I cleaned my plate:)  Here's a sampling of my fabulous tastings.

Grilled peaches with sweetened Mascarpone Cheese

Grilled Ribeye with Deep-Fried Potatoes with Key Lime Ketchup

Grilled Marinated Portobella Mushrooms, Zucchini and Tomatoes

Tarte aux Pommes

Roast Loin of Pork with Roasted Root Vegetables

Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan Cheese

Balsamic Reduction with Strawberries and Homemade Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Braised Chicken Thighs with Garlic and Spinach with Traditional Mashed Potatoes

Marinated Green Beans with Smoked Gouda, Capers, and Kalamata Olives

Viennese Style Chicken Scallops with Lyonnaise Potatoes

Creme Caramel

Puree of Split Pea Soup with Homemade Crotons

Warm Pecan Crusted Goat Cheese Toasts with Mixed Baby Greens


I also learned to make Brown Stock, Chicken Stock, Salad dressings, and Pate Sucree.  I'm signed up for Cooking 201 in January with my group from 101 and another friend who took 101 earlier this year.  I can't wait to get back in the Rolling Pin gourmet kitchen...and move into my new kitchen in 6 weeks!