Cooking Light Winners - And My Thanksgiving in Pictures!

What great stories about your first pets! I was expecting to just see a name in the comments, but was pleasantly surprised to read so much more about your pets...they are wonderful, aren't they?!? Now, without further ado, I present to you the winners - congratulations Gigi (pet's name: Tiger) and Debby (pet's name: Schatzie) - you've each won a year's subscription to Cooking Light magazine! Please email me (40somethingsjourney@gmail.com) your full name and address as soon as possible so I can get these ordered for you!

And now, I present to you my Thanksgiving in pictures:

Paco the Wonder Dog resting with Max

Soooo sleepy...

...and he's out!

Never one to play favorites, Paco later bonds with Sam while watching Mythbusters.

Getting the veggie tray (premade from Sam's Club) ready - easypeasy! Note the two casseroles on the counter behind me - one is stuffing and the other is sweet potato casserole (recipe from Cooking Light a few years ago, ironically!)...both will go into the oven when the turkey comes out.

My plate - yes, it's too full, but really, considering it's my Thanksgiving dinner, I'm actually doing good. Turkey, gravy, sweet potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole (kids love it - why mess with tradition?) and canned cranberry sauce (hey, I grew up on this stuff and still think it's the best!). This year EVERYTHING came out so good! I wish I could guarantee that the meal would always taste this great - some years the gravy is meh, or the turkey is just ok, but this year it all was fantastic!

Max and I - please note my silverware is in the "I'm finished" position on my plate while everyone else was continuing to have more. I am proud of myself for stopping!

Sam and Jeff - it's "No Shave November" and Sam's Amish beard is in full swing! Both boys are looking a little scraggly - it's getting toward the end of the semester and they have been swamped with schoolwork - no time for haircuts!

And in full disclosure, I had a piece of pumpkin pie later on...and then another, much smaller piece. But that was it - in my mind, I am done - back to my regularly-scheduled eating. I am proud to say that I also worked out this morning - I met my workout buddy Kathleen at a local gym where we used a one-day free pass. I did the treadmill for about 25 minutes, walking and running, the elliptical, the stair climber, and we also used some weight machines (mostly for upper body). So four workouts this week vs. one huge meal...I think I'm gonna be ok!

P.S. Sam thinks the pictures above are unflattering to him so to appease the boy I took another picture this morning:

Sam and Paco, ready for the day!