The Studio

17 Hours of cooking and prep

3 appetizers
1 fried turkey
5 sides
2 pies

Breaking bread with 10 friends, and a sense of accomplishment: priceless

If there's one day in the year to be hard-core about your cooking, in my opinion, it's Thanksgiving day. It's the one day in the year that is specifically dedicated to getting together with those you love and share food. It's the one day in the year where we are specifically called to be grateful about the good things in our lives.

That's why on Thanksgiving day, I take pride in knowing that everything that is served at my table is made from scratch. Not only that, when possible, I hand select each individual ingredient. I specifically picked each and every green bean that goes into my casserole. When you are cooking for people that you care about, you want to serve them the best.

But to confess the truth, I take my obsession for made-from-scratch food beyond Thanksgiving day. My friends and family know that when they eat at my table, regardless of how simple the meal, each dish is made with care.

Thanks to everyone who came to last nights Thanksgiving dinner. I hope you all had as much fun as I did.

Thanksgiving 2007 Menu:
Spinach Cranberry Salad
Tomato Basil Soup
Egg Rolls

Fried Turkey

Corn Bread
Green Bean Casserole
Cheesy Potato Casserole
Mashed Potatoes
Cranberry Sauce

Pumpkin Pie
Pecan Pie

Let me know which of the dishes you think are keepers!

I am a contradictory person. This recently occurred to me. What I like, or think I like, contradicts with how these things make me feel.

I want a sensitive guy, a sweet caring guy who is in touch with his emotions. I want for my guy to be comfortable enough around me to be able to display his emotions. The kicker is that I get really uncomfortable when grown men cry. I think it has more to do with a sense of helplessness that I feel when a guy cries. I just want them to be happy, and it disturbs me to realize that there's little I can do to console a crying man.

I also hope to meet an ambitious and successful man someday. I couldn't date someone who lacked drive. Even so, I doubt I could date a workaholic -- I mean a serious workaholic, someone who works 7 days a week, leaves early in the morning and comes home only to sleep. I couldn't do it. I'm by no means a needy girl; I'm not that demanding, but I don't want to have to constantly compete with his job, seems like a losing battle from the get go.

So, where does that leave me? Finding a guy who might potentially not exist. ;-) haha. Life is about moderation, I guess. Even moderation.