Happy Thanksgiving!

Hey Friends!

I hope you and your families are recovering from a wonderful holiday. We spent our Thanksgiving in North Carolina and it was wonderful. Nate's mom is here visiting and the kids have been in Grandma heaven all week...

On Wednesday, I had my last day on the GYN Consult service :praise Him: and I have been blessed to have the rest of my weekend off. You don't understand all of the JOY in my soul at this moment...

Wednesday night Nate and I started our cooking because we wanted to make sure dinner was ready at a reasonable hour...

Belle and I making the cornbread for the dressing

I made my "signature sides" - macaroni & cheese and dressing - both recipes are my Grammy's and were my absolute favorite foods to eat during the holidays growing up. Nate made the greens, green beans, and started the beef. 

Thursday morning, we were back in the kitchen, and finished up dinner into the afternoon. The only things left to cook were the sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, ham, and frying the turkey. It all turned out great!

We even got our T25 work out in when we got up! Never, ever in life have I worked out on Thanksgiving. Felt great, but I'm pretty sure I've cancelled it out by the amount of food consumed yesterday - minor details, though, right? haha

Shaun T would be so proud...

Since moving to NC, we have spent every Thanksgiving in NC. Nate's mom has been able to make it down for the last two years which is something we really look forward to :-) 

Now that we have spent quite a few holidays out here in NC with everyone else celebrating back home, I've come to realize that filling our home with friends helps to ease the homesickness. My heart goes out to all the peeps who can't go home for the holidays, and I am so thankful for the tribe we have here that have become family. We had some friends over from my job for Thanksgiving dinner too, and it turned out great! Our table, tummies, and hearts were full. It was also 75 degrees outside which is all kinds of amazing... 

Backyard hangout after dinner in the amazing weather!

Today we are heading to get our Christmas tree! I love this time of year... Hope you all have a great day!!

P.S. I got a few inquiries about my Mac & Cheese recipe so here it is: 

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Grammy's Homemade Macaroni & Cheese (makes one 1 large pan)

Ingredients: 
2 boxes of elbow macaroni 
2 medium-sized bags of mild cheddar
2 medium-sized bags of mozzarella cheddar
1 medium-sized bag of sharp cheddar
Milk (about 1.5 cups; will add to desired consistency)
3 sticks of butter 
2 eggs 
White pepper
Salt 

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
2. Boil your macaroni noodles - no more than 10 minutes so the noodles don't get too soft
3. When the noodles are done, pour them into your aluminum pan and mix with a half of a stick of butter
4. Season the noodles to taste with salt and white pepper
5. In a large pot add a half a stick of butter and pour in milk to cover the bottom of the pan. Add your first bag of cheese and place on low heat to SLOWLY melt the cheese while constantly stirring
6. Add your two eggs to the cheese and stir into the sauce
7. Continue adding in your cheese, butter, and pouring in small amounts of milk to keep the consistency thick but easily foldable with the spoon until all the bags of cheese are used (I know this is super imprecise. I have never measure the amount of milk all these years. You probably will use no more than 1.5 cups of milk and one stick of butter for the cheese sauce)

8. Pour the cheese over your noodles and stir in until the cheese is equally distributed throughout the noodles in the pan
9. Cut four slices of butter and place on top of the noodles with cheese
10. Bake in the oven until the top is starting to turn a light golden

Enjoy!

Mother's Week Tribute Part II

"Grandmas hold our tiny hands for just a little while, but our hearts forever." ~Author Unknown

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My Grammy is a beautiful spirit - inside and out.



Grammy, ("Lou" - short for "Louise" as I affectionately call her), is a continuous example of selflessness. She thrives on finding ways to help others, even when she is facing challenges herself. Whether it is helping to organize a well-digging mission in Africa or a clothing drive for young mothers in Detroit, it amazes me how even today I have never seen her dwell on the setbacks that life has brought her way. Instead, she is a strong woman of her faith that teaches me that I should be honest about who I am, not be afraid to listen to how I feel, and most importantly, never stop loving people no matter what.



But don't let her small stature, stylish blond hair, and pretty green eyes fool you (isn't she a fox?). Grammy is a woman of strong will and mind. I remember when I was about 7 years old asking why she always called me "Danielle" (my middle name), and the explanation I received was that when I was born, she was hoping that my parents would name me "Elizabeth". When they decided on "Jasmine" in the hospital, I guess as an act of protest she decided to call me by my middle name "Danielle" or just "Princess" ...LOL

One of my favorite memories with Grammy (other than when she calls me on my birthday to tell me the story about the day I was born) was when all of the grandchildren (my brothers and I + our cousin from Memphis) would spend the summer at my grandparents' house. Grammy would make sure we were always doing something fun, were always full of food, and at Vacation Bible School :-)



Even though we haven't spent a summer there in years, today she and I are like old girlfriends when we get together chatting about family events, friends, and everything in between. There is so much comfort in her voice, and being at her house makes me feel like I have found my way home.

I know that one of the reasons I was blessed with such and awesome mother, is because I have an awesome Grammy.

Happy Mother's Day Grammy! I love you! xoxox