Colorful And Tasty - Thanksgiving in LA

We are officially in the swing of the Holiday Season! Here in America, Thanksgiving marks the kickoff to all the stressing about what to buy, followed by the attempts to hunt down those thoughtful gifts, wrap them, all while stressing about whether or not they will be appreciated, fit, or returned! The day after Thanksgiving is known as "Black Friday" - the occasion in which all the retailers hopefully get out of the "red" and begin to turn a profit. This Black Friday was unprecedented by beginning on Thursday evening (Thanksgiving Day) for some retailers, while others opened at midnight! They raced to get our dollars first while we raced to be first in line for the deals. The media leading up to this frenzy was filled with images of people camped out in tents, more concerned with a bargain than a lovely meal with family and friends... A shopper at a Walmart used pepper spray to ward off fellow bargain hunters... Is it possible we are loosing site of what is really important this season? I know I've been guilty in the past of being overly concerned with gifts rather than the enjoyment and appreciation which actually yields a much more memorable holiday - the presence of friends and family. Correction. Friends and family in the presence of good food! I was too busy engaging with said friends and family to remember to photograph them but I did manage to take a few shots of the food which was equally embraced and enjoyed... Here's how it all began.

An exquisite box delivered to my door by Bottega Louie Wednesday evening. They contacted me after having read this post and wanted to show their appreciation! I was over the moon! You should be too, because beginning in December you will be able to partake in some of the delicious and sophisticated glory that is Bottega no matter what part of the country you reside in thanks to a new shipping program. 

These perfectly intact macarons "fit" everyone's pallet - as tempting as it was I resisted breaking the seal until I was able to share them with everyone the next day... 

In the interim I stared longingly at the box among the stack of books on my coffee table...

I awoke at 6:44 am to make apple and maple pumpkin pies from scratch...

When I say "from scratch" that goes for the pate brisee (pie dough) too!

The finished product is well worth the effort - my pate brisee is always flaky and buttery, melts in your mouth!

Forgot to photograph the finished product but the Maple Pumpkin Pie is my way of bringing a little taste of Canada (my homeland) to the Thanksgiving table!

Still, everyone knows who the real star of the Thanksgiving table is... This guy had butter and herbs tucked under his skin and roasted to succulent perfection by my sister Amy - she has a real way with meat, that one!

Clockwise from left: whipped - not a lump in site - potatoes with gravy; Italian sausage and cornbread stuffing with gravy; turkey with gravy; spring salad with pears, candied walnuts, pomegranate seeds; herby mushrooms; creamed corn.

The turkey-induced coma is a long standing tradition for all ages...

Back to the food - the Earl Grey tea, cinnamon, lavender etc macarons from Bottega were shared/savored/devoured!

Lemon, mandarin, earl grey dusted with gold, perched atop a Jadeite saucer

We have just enough deciduous trees to get the message across - it's Fall in LA!

Nothing goes to waste! The inevitable fate of the turkey creates a broth that will go on to warm tummies and flavor risotto in meals to come...

I ventured into a mall this weekend but only to see a movie. I'm not too terribly stressed about gifts as I began picking up suitable things here and there a few weeks ago... Have you begun?

Tell me friends, how did you celebrate the Holiday? What do you love most about this season?