Happy (VERY Belated) Thanksgiving!

I am posting from my parents house this week. My sister's wedding is next Saturday and it seemed a little silly (crazy, actually) to drive my children back and forth two round-trips in a week and half so we're just staying through. Brad is back home (he has that whole "job" thing) and we'll see him later in the week. All this is to say that there will be no Thanksgiving pictures just yet. My parents have a Mac and I have absolutely no idea how to download my pictures from my camera to the computer. I'm headed to Wal-Mart this afternoon so I'll put them all on a CD and then they can be moved to the computer. I had intended to post the actual day of Thanksgiving, but there was way too much cooking, visiting, eating, and playing to be done that I just didn't get it done. Then on Friday we avoided the Black Friday crowds and headed to First Monday in Canton. Not too much junk-finding due to the fact that it rained most of the day and we were in the pavilions. I found a cool, vintage-y necklace made of an old Christmas ornament, though. I was also distracted by the fact that in true holiday fashion, Eli tried to get bronchitis. When his allergies act up (as they do when we are around mold...there isn't any in Amarillo), they go straight to his lungs and he gets a terrible cough that turns into an infection FAST! Luckily, we rented a breathing machine and gave him Motrin for the fever and he seems to be much better. He's still coughing, but there's no wheezing or shallow-breathing involved. Thank heavens for a friendly, hometown pharmacy that my mom has used for years! They were exceptionally helpful and accommodating to this out-of-town patient. Thanks Red Oak Drug!

Today is a little more normal...in that I'm posting a blog instead of folding laundry! My parents both went to work today so we're just hanging out and doing "stuff." I decided to help my mom get her playroom organized so I spent most of morning doing that. Just another reason we need to get my camera ready. I took pictures of what was in each basket and they need to be laminated and attached to each one. I'm pretty much finished and now I just have to fold all the laundry I've been cycling through. Seriously, folding laundry is no fun...even in another town! I think the rest of the week is slated for "wedding stuff" and I'm the designated errand girl. That's what I'm here for, but maybe we'll sneak in some time to do some fun things too! :)

As requested, here is my recipe for mashed potatoes and green beans. Sorry it took so long. (But I think the wait is worth it, Lori, because Sarah tells me you can eat everything in it!)

Eli's Favorite Green Beans
Take 1 can green beans OR roughly the same amount of fresh green beans and cover them with water. If using canned green beans, drain the "can juice" and use fresh water. If using fresh, then trim the ends and cut into the size pieces that you prefer. (I NEVER use frozen green beans because they are waaayyy too squeaky...no matter how long you boil them.) We prefer fresh, but sometimes we are in a hurry and it takes too long to chop all the ends off. Add one chicken bouillon cube and some salt and pepper to the water. Sometimes I also add some minced garlic or garlic powder. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes. If I'm making green beans for dinner I just put them on first and then get to the rest of the meal. They'll be done when everything else is.

The Best Mashed Potatoes EVER!
Peel and cut 5 lbs. of potatoes into a big pot of water. Boil until fork-tender. Drain in a colander and then return to the same pan. Turn the burner down to low and mash with a potato masher over the warm burner. This helps evaporate all the water still left in the potatoes and your potatoes won't be "mealy". If you don't like lumps in your potatoes (and I don't) just keep mashing. A few times I've moved them to a mixer at this stage because I was making more than 5 lbs, my mom's masher fell apart, or my MIL didn't have a potato masher and it was okay, but the consistency is just not the same. When your potatoes are good and mashed, add 8oz of softened cream cheese. Use the masher to mix well. Add 1 1/2 stick of real butter. Use the masher to mix these in well. Add salt and pepper. Add way more salt than you think necessary because under seasoned potatoes are a travesty. Pour in some half-and-half and incorporate with the masher until creamy. Taste. Get someone to taste and give their opinion (but not my mom because she likes under seasoned mashed potatoes). Add more salt and butter if needed. You can also make these potatoes ahead of time and put in a 9x13 inch pan. Dot with butter and cover with foil. To re-heat, let them sit on the cabinet for 30 minutes or so and then bake at 350 for about 30 minutes or until very warm. Lukewarm mashed potatoes are gross.

Note: I don't make this many for just the four of us. Usually I just use about four potatoes, 4 oz. cream cheese, and 1/2-3/4 stick of butter. Sometimes I add roasted garlic (homemade is the best, but store-bought can be used) and they are yummy!

Be sure and let me know what you think if you make my recipes! :)