thanksgiving traditions

wanting to make sure we fit in all of our traditions with time to spare, my thanksgiving vacation was planned to a "t"

thursday 28 november
7:01 am
wake up for a walk around lake nockamixon

 the only thing not-so-traditional about the walk: damage from hurricane sandy

8:47 am
start cooking thanksgiving lunner (lunch/dinner)
menu:
pancetta-wrapped turkey breast - a new addition
butternut squash lasagna - an old favorite that this vegetarian looks forward to every year!
cranberry orange relish - my contribution (i help out with everything else, but do this all by myself)
shaved brussel sprouts - the one preparation that makes brussel sprouts delicious and not yucky--i promise!
spinach salad with craisins, walnuts and balsamic vinaigrette
and what would thanksgiving be without traditional mashed potatoes?

2:28 pm
the turkey is ready!

2:33 pm
the meal is served

3:07 pm
food coma sets in... time for walk #2: around the block

4:14 pm
snuggle up with a book to read!
reading list: national geographic issue on cuba, havana gold (a novel on... cuba! you guessed it!)... sense a theme here? i'm gearing up for my january trip to cuba!

7:24 pm
hungry for a snack of pumpkin cheesecake (we devoured it so fast that i didn't even have a chance to snap a picture!)

8:03 pm
movie time: miracle on 34th street: the movie begins with the macy's thanksgiving day parade, thus segueing into the christmas holiday... and who would want popcorn when you have pomegranates to snack on? :)

9:39 pm
off to bed to rest up for black friday shopping!

friday 29 november
6:37
wake up for pre-shopping breakfast: pannettone french toast. you have to get a solid breakfast to ensure optimum energy levels throughout the day :p

7:49 am
coffee at starbucks with dad to energize ourselves and to spend some quality time before us girls ditch him for the deals of the day:
banana republic - our go-to store had 40% off storewide
macy's - coupon maximization was key: 3 coupons + 7 items = 4 transactions, 4 card swipes, 4 signatures
j. jill - my mom's go-to store became my unexpected find! and at 25% off storewide their 100% cotton clothes were a steal
loft - 50% off storewide. enough said.

1:46 pm
attempt at keeping the tradition of a post-black friday lunch at california pizza kitchen... but due to a water main break, they had no water and were closed :( if you've never had it, their pizza is to die for, so it was a real bummer... plus after four hours of shopping you get hungry, reallllllly hungry

2:17pm
take 2 lunch: whole foods! 3 kinds of quinoa salads, kale, butternut squash, 4 kinds of tofu, 2 kinds of wheat berry salads, and a veggie dumpling... and coconut gelato for dessert.

4:21 pm
home at last! tummy full of food, car full of deals, and heart full of happiness--what a perfect way to end a great series of thanksgiving traditions!

- lauren