Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Thanksgiving Break Part 2

Wednesday, November 30, 2011  at 8:32 AM
Thanksgiving break was a lot of fun!  Not only did we get to do a race, but we got to see family and eat good food.  Here's the rest of what Thanksgiving break had to offer.

After running the Atlanta Half Marathon on Thanksgiving day, there was only one thing to do...EAT!!!  And that's one thing the Smith family knows how to do!  My mom, sister and wife are three of the best cooks I know, and they didn't disappoint again, because the Thanksgiving meal was AWESOME!  Here's what we had:

  • Candied Sweet Potatoes
  • Green Bean Casserole
  • Winter Salad (It has apples, nuts, cranberries and feta cheese...Everything is betta with feta!)
  • Pear Jello Salad (We actually forgot to put it on the table and had to eat it the next day. Haha!)
  • 2 Kinds of Dinner Rolls
  • Mock Turkey Loaf (Here are the ingredients)
    • Celery
    • Onions
    • Chicken Seasoning
    • Eggs
    • Oats
    • Vege Chicken
    • Sour Cream
    • Bread Crumbs
    • Walnuts
As some of you already know, I'm a vegetarian, so that is why we had Mock Turkey instead of a big bird sitting on our table.  I always get a kick out of people when they hear that I'm a vegetarian and say things like, "But you eat fish and chicken right?" Nope, that would declassify me as a vegetarian.  I've actually never had any meat (other than an accidental bite of a "bean" burrito at Taco Bell that actually was beef).  It's just how I was raised and it stuck.

Here are a few pics of the food and its preparation:
YUMMY!
I love me some Jello!


My Mom
My Sister-Mindy with the Mock Turkey Loaf

After stuffing ourselves and downing some delicious Apple pie and Pumpkin Cake, it was nap time and go-on-a-walk time with the dogs.  Once again, Thanksgiving was a winner

On Sunday, my dad said, "Matt, want to go see the Falcons play the Vikings?"  Well, I'd never been to a football game, so the answer was an obvious, "YES!"  We snagged some nose-bleed cheap seats off Stubhub.com for $9 and headed to Atlanta.  As we approached the Georgia Dome, we drove through a sketchy neighborhood and watched a group of about 25 people get ready to brawl.  One guy ran over to a house and busted out the railing slats to use as weapons.  Needless to say, we got out of there really quickly!

The game was fantastic...especially because the Falcons won 24-14!
What do Falcons do?  Rise up!

Then, Monday morning, Jenn and I started the LONG drive north back to Michigan.  We like to leave at the butt-crack of dawn to get home and still have part of the day left.  We actually had enough time to set up the Christmas tree.  All the ornaments are from Jenn's mom who has given her (and me) one every year.  It's pretty cool.

Last night, we drove to South Bend to get another trainer.  We basically ride the trainer every day, so there's a big chunk of time that we can't hang out while we separately ride.  We had to remedy this, so we picked up a Cycleops trainer off Craigslist for $75.  I think that was a pretty good deal.
It's nice to have a basement to just sweat it out any time you like!
This is the last week of class for me with finals next week.  It'll be a bit crazy getting everything finished.  Thanks for reading!

11 comments:

Anonymous

Ok, where is the TV for the pain cave?

Erika

That sounds like a perfect holiday to me...with the exception of 2 things: 1) the long drive back to Michigan and 2) The Vikings losing! Haha! I am a Vikings fan (painful, I know) so that stinks! But hey, $9 seats are awesome. I can't believe you have never been to a game before! I need to take you guys to an MSU game!
Nice deal on the trainer too - that was by far the best birthday gift I have gotten in years!

Jon

You are a vegetarian?!??!? ;)

Epic weekend of food and deals! $9 football tickets? $75 trainer? Awesome!

Ironman By Thirty

Have you ever seen My Big Fat Greek Wedding? "What do you mean, you don't eat no meat? It's alright... I make lamb." (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnjWZT3yWWc) There is also scene where the guy's family meets the Greek family for the first time and they bring a bundt cake. The Greek mom looks at it and goes "There is a whole in this cake." She "fixes" it by putting a plant in the middle. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vxZHU0oijE) I thought of that scene and chuckled when I saw the Mock Turkey Loaf

Busted out the railing slats to use as weapons???? Yikes! Good thing you are a fast runner!

$9 tickets to the Falcons? Wow... I've never seen any tickets that cheap before on StubHub

Nice find on the trainer! Do you have an ANT+ stick for your Garmin? If so, you gotta check out Trainer Road now.

dawn @ running the dawn

how are we not blog friends?!?! seriously. oh yeah, i go by a different name whilst on the web-ter-net...but i'm sure you'll figure it out.

so great to run into you over break. and great job with your race!!!

Unknown

Your dinner looks delicious, but I still can't get over the $9 football tickets! Stubhub rocks.

Anonymous

Wow - I would have never guessed you were a vegetarian, especially being from the south...we love our cow! (HA - totally kidding, I really do not eat that much meat) Love the look of that salad - looks so good. Sounds like you guys had a pretty quick, but productive trip.

Total bonus getting to go to a Falcons game...Always wanted to go to one of those, but I've just been to Nashville to see the Titans.

Enjoy your last week of class!!!

Unknown

Sounds like a great dinner with lots of yummy food. So what exactly is the mock turkey loaf made out of??? :)

And that's awesome that you were able to get some cheap tickets for the game. Will have to remember that when we're there!!!

Jill

Hahah...I'm laughing at the "view" your bikes have on the trainers - the washer and dryer :). You do what you gotta do! My trainer hides in my bedroom, of all places. Then I can zero in on the TV 3 feet in front of my face.

Your Thanksgiving Day plate looks pretty bare compared to what family members in my clan have loaded. I had: turkey, mashed potatoes, and raspberry tapioca jello "salad" (NO idea how the word "salad" came into this name...there's nothing but sugar in it - ha)...but my plate was covered with those three things. Then I proceeded to eat my weight in pumpkin pie. Don't you just love the holidays?!?! :)

Glad you're home safe and sound....will read your RR now!

Jennie

I'm glad you guys had a fun Thanksgiving and safe travels! Plus, $9 game tickets and a $75 trainer to top it off? Sounds pretty fabulous to me!

Your tree looks so nice! Love the story behind your ornaments. My mom does the same thing. :)

We're looking forward to seeing you both next weekend!!

Susan DeBruin

This comment is waaaaay late, but good luck on finals!!! Also, your food pictures made me super hungry. I want it to be Thanksgiving again!

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