Happy Thanksgiving!

This is my second year making Thanksgiving dinner at home, and my first time making an actual turkey! Last year I made a ham and a small turkey breast. Right off the bat, I had to call my mom and ask what to do with the thing once I opened the package. I washed and stuffed the bird and popped it in the oven about an hour ago and the smell coming from my kitchen has me optimistic that dinner will turn out just fine.

Soon, I'll start work on the rest of dinner which will consist of rolls, cheeses, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, pumpkin pie, and mashed white yams. I've never made mashed yams before and certainly not white ones, but a co-worker suggested it as a happy medium for my husband and I since I wanted mashed potatoes and he wanted candied yams. Here's how you make it:

Get enough white yams to serve the number of people you are feeding. In my case there are only the two of us, so I'm using 4 yams. Peel and boil the yams until they are soft. Mash the yams with a bit of butter until creamy. Add maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg and brown sugar to taste.

To appease my husband, I also have marshmallows that he can add to his serving to candy the yams.

This is also the second year that we've decided not to make the rounds to everyone's houses (since my parents are split up, we have 3 sets of parents we are expected to visit and spend a considerable amount of time with), but the first year I'm not feeling the least bit guilty about my decision. I love our family, but I hate the stress and lack of fun that comes along with having to hit the road early and then constantly checking our watches to make sure we can see everyone. Today however, we started our day by watching the Macy's Thanksgiving parade and plan to end it snuggled on the couch watching a movie. I'm thankful that our parents are being understanding of my need to just relax and spend the holiday cooking with the husband. I will most likely resume the position of weary traveler next year, since I cannot possibly cook for, or fit, 60 people in my apartment.

Time to end my rambling and get back to cooking. Hope you all have a wonderful holiday!