I am settled in back at home after a very special Thanksgiving in Florida. I cherish all of our trips to Florida but this one was extra meaningful because we had a bigger holiday crew this year. My cousin’s family came down and it was just the best to have a big tableful of people to share the meal with. His wife and I have been dreaming this up for three years and finally made it happen!

TUESDAY

We had an 11:20a flight out of CLT on Tuesday. I taught a class that morning and then came home to get packed up. I grabbed Finn from school and we headed straight to the airport. Travel was so easy. I had pre-booked our parking, we didn’t check bags and there were no lines for security. We were at our gate with time to grab coffee and take a bathroom break. Our flight took off on time and we landed in Florida at 11:42a thanks to the time change!

My dad and Beau were waiting for us!

We swung into Chick Fil A to grab lunch. Finn had chicken nuggets and fries and I had the market salad with chicken nuggets instead of grilled chicken. I can’t remember the last time I had Chick Fil A and I like this salad a lot.

Tuesday afternoon was going to be our warmest of our trip so we wasted no time getting our suits on and heading down to the beach. Can you spot my sweet grandmother waving to us? She always watches the action from her balcony.

I have to tell y’all – I absolutely adore my cousin’s wife (on left). She’s one of the warmest and most authentic women I’ve ever met – and she’s raising some amazing humans. Her oldest is between us.

The gulf is not freezing right now at 72 degrees but I certainly wouldn’t call it warm. There was no way I was getting in but there was no keeping the kids out. The water was also pretty rough on this day – Finn’s favorite conditions haha. He thinks it’s so boring when there are no waves. He played nonstop for almost two hours.

Back at my grandmother’s condo, Finn took a shower and was eager to share his Crayon books with Mema. He’s so into The Day the Crayons Quit and The Day the Crayons Came Home right now. We take turns reading each page. My grandmother was a first grade teacher and told Finn how well he was reading. He’s been working so hard at it.

Sunset.

My dad made bit of a random dinner of polenta with chicken and corn and an eggplant stack with tomatoes and cheese. It worked!

I cannot even explain the way I could not keep my eyes open after dinner. I felt like I’d been hit by a truck. This happens to me a lot when we get to Florida. It’s like all of the doing and going catches up and I can finally fully relax and let go. You guys – I went to bed at 8:30 and left Finn and my grandmother up watching a show. Sweet Finn came and crawled in bed with me sometime after 9.

WEDNESDAY

I got a solid eight hours of sleep on Tuesday night and woke Wednesday feeling somewhat recharged but I still made it a low-key day. I had coffee and breakfast and then headed out to Target and Publix to do my Thanksgiving shopping.

Finn was living his best life while I was gone and went swimming and to lunch with his cousins.

My lunch when I got home was a grilled cheese with avocado, muenster and apricot preserves and my dad’s sourdough and Rao’s creamy tomato soup with honey crisp apple slices.

The kiddos did a really cute cookie craft project and were very excited to show Mema.

They also had a blast playing video games together while I was prepping some dishes for Thanksgiving.

In the midst of all of the Thanksgiving prep, my amazing father made a lasagna for Thanksgiving Eve dinner. It was so delicious! So meaty, cheesy and perfect texture.

He also made a carrot cake!!!! This was so delicious with a glass of milk.

After this feast, I put myself to bed at 8:30p again. This time, Finn came with me after his big day.

THANKSGIVING DAY 

Finn and I slept in and snuggled until about 8a. We got up and had breakfast and then turned on the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. I worked on some of my dishes and then went out for a run.

The plan was to run by feel and do anything between 5-10 miles. Gorgeous weather and a happy body made it 10…which was my second and longest run post-marathon.

Conditions couldn’t have been more perfect. 50 and breezy. Sunny and low humidity. What a dream. (gloves with watch window here)

I got showered, finished my dishes and then it was time for Thanksgiving!

Apps! Cream cheese with the most addictive peach pepper jelly from a local store in Georgia, brie with gingersnaps (this combo was 100), deviled eggs, gouda and crackers and snack mixes.

SPREAD!

• Arugula, spinach, feta, honey roasted pecans, honey crisp apples, balsamic vinaigrette
• Oven roasted turkey
• Mashed potatoes
• Sourdough rolls
• Creamy brussel sprout and leek casserole
• Sourdough stuffing
• Mac and cheese
• Black eyed peas
• Honey Baked ham
• Gravy
• Greens
• Sweet potato casserole
• Honey lemon and cherry ginger cranberry sauce

My contributions were the salad…which was actually a hit and almost completely polished off. No recipe here – just a combo that sounded good in my brain.

A modern take on green bean casserole but make it brussel sprouts and leeks. Recipe here.

This sweet potato casserole is an OLD fave and was posted on my first food blog!

The kids worked hard to make our placemats!

The ladies. Of course we couldn’t get a photo of the men.

My plate. Loaded up!!!

My final contribution was this pumpkin ricotta cheesecake with cranberry topping but I made some modifications. I subbed gingersnaps for the amaretti cookies in the crust and cream cheese for the marscapone because they were sold out at the store.

Sunset on Thanksgiving.

What a perfect day it was!

FRIDAY

Black Friday was so chill. The cousin crew went shopping so Finn and I hung out at Mema’s and then hit the gym (he wanted to come, I gave him the option, we were the only two in there).

Lunch was leftovers! Turkey, cranberry sauce and cheese on sourdough rolls and sweet potato casserole.

Friday afternoon looked like putting up and decorating Mema’s tree, watching the Georgia/Georgia Tech game and more leftovers for dinner.

THIS SKY! We had an early flight on Saturday so after dinner, I got us packed up and my grandmother’s place tidied while we watched Elf.

We said goodbye to Mema before bed and that’s never an easy thing to do.

SATURDAY

My alarm went off at the early hour of 5a to get us ready to head to the airport. I got Finn up around 5:45 and my dad arrived at 6 to chauffeur us. The sunrise was unreal.

Finn got a donut for breakfast and I grabbed a whole milk latte. Again, we were blessed with on time travel and took off at 7:30a and were on the ground in Charlotte at 10:50a.

We grabbed our bags (had to check on way home due to some things in the bags that couldn’t be carried on) and I dropped Finn off straight from the airport.

I headed right over to Trader Joe’s and stocked up on groceries for the week.

And went for a run when I got home. It’s always an adjustment to go from being with my family and Finn to being solo. I have learned that it’s important for me do things that help me transition and get grounded like grocery shopping and getting outside.

The rest of my Saturday looked like a hot shower, a face mask, cooking dinner, watching football and writing this post. Once I hit publish, I’ll head to bed. Hoping to decorate for Christmas tomorrow, and I’m teaching a couple classes at the gym in the AM.

Hope you guys had the best Thanksgiving! Sending love to all!