Since 2010, it has been the tradition most years to mark the Memorial Day holiday with a gathering of the core crew for what we call "Thanksgiving on the Half-Year." I might have been extra thankful when we observed this last Sunday, after finding myself stranded in Silver Spring, with uncertainty about how long it might take until I could get home last week!
The much-loved meal that constitutes our standard marking of holidays in November and December is always worth bringing back as we approach the later part of spring, although I'm not always certain about how scoring a fresh turkey might work out. This year it was a smaller breast so I scooted out to scout Publix and found an additional fresh half turkey breast. (My delayed return from DC meant no time to secure and prepare a frozen turkey breast.)
The rest of the menu was our standard set of sides, including Mary-Margaret McKnight's dependable delicious stuffing (above) and turkey gravy and green bean casserole:
An essential element was the ever-present and highly personal sweet indulgence of slow-cooker sweet potatoes...
This is the crew that mostly relishes an opportunity to play our homemade game: Collins Against Humanity. Since debuting the "second edition" back in December, it seems we are finding an embarrassment of riches with the high comedy and stunning shock value of our upped game...too many of the cards are just too funny or over the top, if I may say so.
But lordy! What a great night of togetherness!
It sure did drag on much too late for our sleepy pups:
"Oven-Roasted Turkey Breast," Betty Crocker: Holiday Entrées, Sides, Brunches, & More, November 2001, p. 22-23.
"Layered Green Bean Casserole," a Jones Family favorite.
Adapted from "Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping," from Southern Living Slow-Cooker Cookbook, (Oxmoor House, 2006), p. 234-235.
"Mary Margaret's Dressing," from Mary Margaret McKnight of Buies Creek, NC. Recipe obtained November 2002.
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