Black Vs White

Even the one week break was a hectic one. I must have lost more sleep over the break than during normal schooling days, with guests, dinners, Chicago, and shopping.

I would be proud to admit though, that I've spent so much less on shopping this year. A lot of money goes out to good food though. There were two pair of jeans, a shirt, and some uber colourful socks (because I decided to be colourful) and a LOT of good food. Good food more important than shopping? HMM.

Last year, I had this.

My oven wasn't able to fit the entire turkey (thanks to lack of planning and thinking ahead) and I had to cut it open to fit it in, which results in a not so nice turkey. Also, it was my first time making one, and I followed a recipe online to be safe.

This year, I've checked my oven and made sure the racks were adjustable so I can fit the turkey in, and I've also basically used my own instinct and recipe (that I've used to roast a chicken before) to marinate and roast it.

It turned out SO beautiful I could cry.

I'm a happy cook.

Also, we had Honey Glazed Ham, which I learned how to do with a little reference from online recipes, some advice from my aunt, and ideas and help from Andrew. It turned out even better than the turkey I would say, and it was just A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.

I also made some mashed potatoes, which I did some trial and errors for two days (that means two days of mashed potatoes for dinners before the real day LOL) and had help and improvisions from Andrew. Also amazing! Never thought I could do mashed potatoes ever. I always thought it was difficult for some reason. =P

Then there's the eggnog, that Andrew improvised and made it with his own recipe. Have I ever told you that he's amazingly good with drinks and desserts? Everyone was so thrilled since not many have tasted eggnog before. Amazing. =)

We also had a pie. Lemon Meringue. We tried doing it twice before the real day, resulting in throwing away 2 whole pies. In our final attempt during Thanksgiving itself, I really thought that it would work that time. After baking, it turned out so pretty. Who would have thought that it was still a failure. We cut it open, and couldn't figure out why the filling wasn't as hard as it was supposed to be. That was the one failure of the night. Even so, I took it out and had some people who stayed back to try the meringue. The meringue was definitely good though. =)

I wouldn't brag, but this is definitely one of my most successful dinners since I came over to UIUC. More like, most successful WESTERN dinner. =D

I'm a happy cook. Thankful for the wonderful food, all the help from everyone, friends who came over, a wonderful break, family, friends back home, still being in UIUC, sleep, and the wonderful boyfriend who did so much for me over the break, hardly got any credit for it, and most of all made me so happy for the last few months.

Now it's time to focus on the 2 lab reports, 1 research paper, and 1 homework that are all due in 48 hours. Wallah!

Random notes left on my dry-erase board. =)