Thanksgiving is sort of funny at our house. You’d think there’d be the traditional Thanksgiving spread in all its American glory, but turkey is usually just an afterthought. Yes, we did have turkey, but it never made it to the table, hence the missing bird in the photos. It usually goes straight from the oven to the kitchen counter where it gets shredded and put on a platter – there is no formal carving of the bird in a sit-down ceremony (and crap, I now realize we forgot the canned cranberry sauce. We never forget the can!). And if you must know the truth, in the last couple of years, the turkey plus trimmings has been catered in from restaurants. Shocking, huh?
I’m sure now that Mark doesn’t have to work holidays anymore he’d love to cook a traditional Thanksgiving meal one year. This is only the 2nd Thanksgiving he’s had off as he’s worked ever major holiday, including Christmas, at his old restaurant job for 5 years (yeah, if you’ve been reading this blog long enough you’ve heard me complain about how much holidays majorly sucked for that reason). But still, there was plenty of other cooking to be had in the kitchen today including 2 desserts, a sort of novelty these days since Mark has had no time for “recreational” baking.
All in all, it was a relaxing day. I got in a full day’s of work, but it was not stressful since much of it was done on the couch with the kids watching the Macys Thanksgiving parade and during the time my dad took the girls to the playground. We took an afternoon family walk and then ate ourselves silly.
And what does a ridiculously picky kid like Claudine eat on Thanksgiving? She had 3 giant slices of Asian pear, an orange juice and a donut. It was similar to her Thanksgiving meal last year. What can you do? At least she miraculously ate some swiss chard this week which was probably the first vegetable her stomach has seen in weeks, maybe even months. Sad, but for that…I am thankful.
Now that’s my kind of Thanksgiving meal!! Everything looks so good!!
OMG! Look at that spread of panchan and food. I knew I should’ve eaten breakfast before reading your blog. Yummy!!!
Your Thanksgiving spread looks wonderful!
Regarding Claudine’s pickiness… hang in there! I was a terrible, picky eater when I was a kid. I probably only liked and ate 5 things and not only that, I ate really, really slowly. I used to hold everyone back at the dinner table (including restaurants) for HOURS by keeping my food in my cheek and just not chewing or swallowing. My sister would get so mad at me 😛 I think food just didn’t interest me at all.
However, something clicked at some point in my adolescence and I started liking food. Now I’m 25 and have been loving food for many, many years. In fact I probably subscribe to the “Live to eat” school now hehe.
Happy Thanksgiving! Reminds me of Thanksgiving / Christmas at my mom’s house… is that mook I see in the second pic? Yum!
haha, all the korean readers are commenting. Lois, yes that is mook. My aunt made it and Mia ate like half of them. The kid loves it.
I love that Claudine ate a donut and some fruit on the biggest food-central holiday of the year. That is so cute!! Your baking time with the girls is so precious. These kinds of memories will be so special for the girls when they grow up. I hope you have a lovely holiday weekend…
Out of all pictures, food and gorgeous children…what I liked the most….was the can of baking powder!! I collect branded cans, so I fell in love with this one! Is it a popular brand in the States?
That spread looks amazing! What is that in picture # 12 topped with watercress…I’m intrigued!
Angie,
The stuff under the watercress is called Mook and it’s made from ground acorn flour. The consistency is like jello and you eat it dipped in soy sauce with a bit of green onions, ginger, etc. It’s one of Mia’s favorites.
yum. looks delicious!
Everything looks amazing; I’m so glad you had a good day. And I’m glad to see you aren’t forcing it with the veggies. I’ve read that you just keep offering them again and again, not assuming that they won’t like them forever. I’m totally going to make that cake – it sounds unbelievably good.
LOVE the mook and bossam! Reminds me of all the east-meets-west holidays we had growing up. You have a beautiful blog and a gorgeous family — keep up the great work! 🙂
i love this. all the korean food makes me swell with nostalgia. sublime and beautiful.
the girls look cute as always. where is the sleep suit from? i have been looking everywhere for nice ones for my girls. completely understand the picky eating what can you do?