Black Friday

I have just now recovered from my first ever TRUE Black Friday experience. I say TRUE because I have never actually gone out before the crack of dawn. I'm more of a roll out around 11 am type of girl, shop a little, get some lunch, shop some more, have a cocktail, shop a little more...you get the idea.

This year, however, I decided to try this early thing out because there were a couple of things I wanted to get. I was not willing to freeze, though, so I arrived at Best Buy at 5:05 am, just in time to walk in at the end of the crazy long line of people who'd been waiting since God knows when. I grabbed my stuff and hit the check out line. The rest of my morning consisted of Target, Bath & Body Works, and Gap. I was home by 8:05 am. My family wasn't even awake yet!

I realize that 5:05 is not that early for most of you friends, but for me, waking up at 4:15 am was a little like torture. I may or may not do it again next year. I'll have to see what's on sale.

Oh, one more thing. What the heck were all those other people doing out at 5 in the morning?! Didn't they konw the roads were terrible (still all icy). Madness, I tell you.

Pie Crust? Yes, ma'am!

I decided to try making pie crust this year instead of going with my old standby--pillsbury in a box. I did buy the box, though, just in case things didn't work out. And there was a definite possibility that things would not work out -- I've tried it before and ended up with a mess...though it led to my discovery of the pie crust in a box, so I suppose my attempt was not a total bust.

Anyway, I decided to give it another try. Check this baby out:

• good consistency and not too sticky or dry
• bigger than pie plate 
• no tears in crust (I mean tear as in rip, not tear as in sad...haha...I realized it could have been either in this situation)

This pretty crust now has a lovely sweet potato pie all baked in it. It smells great and Andre will be surprised to see it (and happy, since he's the one who likes it) when he gets home. Whenever that is...he might have to work super late tonight with our crazy weather.

Yay me!! Now I'm waiting for my potato roll bread dough to rise (thanks again for the recipe, Brandie). I'm going to go ahead and bake rolls tonight since I can stay up late -- school is cancelled for tomorrow!

Getting ready for Thanksgiving

We are hosting Thanksgiving this year and I've been working on my decor. I don't have much of a collection of fall/harvest/Thanksgiving items, so it's been a project this year. I've picked up quite a few things and have a good start.

The girls and I made this banner a couple nights ago. So fun and inexpensive...it cost about $5, I think. Now I just need to figure out how to hide the stupid thermostat that our builder so wisely put smack in the middle of what could've been a nice wall to hang a picture or something.

We also made and sent these invitations. Not that our "peeps" need a formal invitation. But it was fun to make them. The picture quality is not that great, but you'll get the general idea.

I spent yesterday working out my menu and shopped today. The grocery store was surprisingly un-busy (is that a word?!) and I got in and out with no trouble. On the menu for this year:

Turkey (duh, but am trying something new and not stuffing him...her...?)

Ham (cooking it in my crock pot to free up oven space)

Andouille sausage stuffing (has the standard seasoning/ingredients, plus the sausage and red bell peppers)

Cream corn (not out of the can, friends, but made with cream cheese...can we say yum!)

Regular corn (in case, for some reason, the cream corn is not a giant hit with everyone)

Brussels sprouts (sauteed with bacon and red onions...one of my favorites)

Candied yams (complete with marshmellows on top)

Baked potatoes (my sister's clever idea, complete will the toppings)

Rolls (not sure if they will be store bought or homemade -- it will depend on how much time/energy I have)

and

PIE!!

What's on your menu??