Foodie Pen Pal- November

Another month is gone and Lindsey over at leangreenbean has been kind enough to once again host Foodie Pen Pals. Check out what I got last month

This month was no different... I waited in anticipation for my package and when I got home from working out and saw my box at the front door I got super excited!

This month I sent my goodies to Lisa over at healthydiaries

My goodies came from Katie over at running and cupcakes

There is nothing more I love than opening mail that does not require me to send money back in a separate envelope. In a world of, texting, facebook, twitting, and everything else that requires people not actually ever have to talk to one another, it is nice to slow down for a moment and enjoy something from someone you don't even know.

Katie sent me any chocolate lovers dream package.

I am not a huge chocolate fan so Brian got to enjoy treats for me, he loves getting the benefits of this without having to actually participate LOL.

One of the coolest things Katie sent was instant oatmeal

 I haven't given this to Brian to try but I am extremely interested in trying this myself in a different flavor. You use the oatmeal package to measure out the water to heat it. If you read my blog you know I am all about saving myself from doing dishes LOL.

Larabars are my favorite. I have even begun to make my own! Luna bars are also a great snack on the go.

Among the goodies there was holiday flavored green tea. I was very happy last night when it finally went below 70 degrees here in Fl. so I could actually enjoy a cup of tea.

I enjoy a nice cup of tea while I am doing work. So I decided to fix myself a cup of this Candy Cane Green Tea while I prepared lunches for the next day. The smell when I opened the box was an instant hit of peppermint which made me wish it would get cold here soon!





 I have already signed up for December and am excited to get my package during the crazy busy holiday season.

Thanks again to Katie for my box of goodies!!!!


So if you interested in joining next months Foodie Pen Pals (and you do not have to be a blogger) 
 send  an email to Lindsay at theleangreenbean@gmail.com and include the following information:
-Your full name
-Your email address
-Your blog name/address
-Your twitter handle (if applicable)
let her know by December 4th as pairings will be emailed on December 5th!

Ciao and fun filled boxes

Alexis
 

                               

Thanksgiving Prep... A fun tradition

 Thanksgiving for my family is not the traditional Turkey, casseroles, stuffing, gravy, pies....

Instead our thanksgiving is a carefully thought out menu by my sister Heather.

I go down to Tampa Wednesday night and the process of Thanksgiving begins. We cook and have fun... story of my life.

A few months ago I came up with the idea of doing a turkey turnover and she built upon it and made it amazing.

So the weekend before Thanksgiving Heather called and gave me the run down of the dinner she had planned. She does all the hard work... comes up the menu, finds or makes the recipes and buys all the ingredients. I just show up and help her cook and do what I am told. (I call myself the Thanksgiving bi**h lol) But its a fun tradition and I wouldn't change it for anything.

Here are a few pictures from past Thanksgivings 

2009

2009

2008

Cornish Hen, Veggi medley and risotto 2009 

Dessert Trio 2008

2010

So here is a few sneak peeks at what we prepared for our family... you will have to check out this weeks WIAW for the whole meal!!!!

Course 1 : Turkey was Smoked for 6hours Wednesday night. 

Course2: Included these....

Figs stuffed with goat cheese... Can you guess what we did with these? HMMM I'll let you know IT WAS YUMMY!!

Course3: Pork rotisserie= 3hours

and some other goodies 

 Course4: Included a lot of cutting... fruit. Painting chocolate onto paper...

So have you figured out what was for dinner? I would love to hear some guesses.

All will be revealed on Wednesday so make sure to stay tuned.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday and enjoyed all the food and company!!!


Ciao and loving traditions

Alexis

What I ate Wednesday v12 Thanksgiving Edition

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!! Ya ya I know it was last week but I like to relive Thanksgiving dinner as much as I can. This way I can relive it without my waistband expanding.

 If you read  my Thanksgiving Preparations you would know my family doesn't do a "traditional" Thanksgiving. Although this year was probably the most traditional we have gotten but with twists.

Here was our Thanksgiving Menu.

We started with a very Italian Antipasto

 I just love these dishes

 Meats and cheeses

 assorted olives and pepers

Course 1: Thanksgiving Turnover

These turnovers were a perfect little Thanksgiving tribute. They were stuffed with Smoked Turkey (smoked for 6 hours), stuffing, Gouda Cheese and served with cranberry sauce on the side.

These were definitely at the top of my favorite lists.


My nephew even ate his and baby brothers LOL

Course 2: Mixed Green Salad with Figs stuffed with goat cheese and wrapped in maple.brown sugar bacon

I am not a bacon fan but these were really good. I love figs and goat cheese so it worked for me.

Course 3: Mango Rotisserie Pork, Macaroni and Cheese Carbonara, Sweet potato souffle, and Brussell sprouts.

Letting the pork rest before Jake carved into it!

The Sweet Potatoes were amazing and not overly sweet. The Macaroni is also one of my favorite meals my sister makes. Comfort food done right.

Course 4: Dessert:  We had apple pear crisp, cinnamon bread pudding and handmade gianduja

 Hand made Gianduja with a Hazelnut filling

If I liked chocolate this would have been my favorite HAHA

 Apple and Pear Crisp

This was my favorite!!!

Bread Pudding with a bourbon sauce
 

We had an amazing time eating and laughing. It was good times all the way around. I can't wait to see what's on the menu for next year


Does your family have a traditional Thanksgiving?

Ciao and Traditionally un-traditional 

Alexis