Could It Be Any Better?: Thanksgiving & Homemade Whipped Cream

Around the dining room table:

Is it human nature to be so excited about something, want everything to be perfect, but "wish" it could be better?

Thanksgiving at my house:

When you see my spread that took me two days to prepare; along the way I will fill you in on my (no reason for) wishes.

Let me tell you, when I was preparing for this day I remained focused. I'm talking tunnel vision all the way. There could have been an explosion outside my door and I wouldn't have been distracted.

Don't worry Sean, I won't make public how you tried to distract me in the kitchen (and I can't believe I just printed that).

Which leads me to "wishing things could be better".

As humans we focus on the great, but always push ourselves to do better or wish for more. Why do we do that?

Kind of like: a (my) relationship. It is great, but wish it could be better (if I didn't suffer from tunnel vision). I am truly sorry Sean....

Like: when you go to bed exhausted after preparing a holiday meal. It was great sleep, but wish it could be better (8 hours please instead of 5? Come on!!).

Like: when you have a family gathering. I love my family, but wish I had a big enough table for everyone to sit at (there is always that unwanted separation).

Like: when your family pet sits by your side while you prepare a meal. Wish I had a bucket full of doggy treats (I always give into the begging doggy eyes. What can I say? I'm a lush).

Like: when you use every inch of counter space in your kitchen to serve your holiday food. Wish I had a serving buffet (a house big enough to place one in).

Why are we always wishing for more?

This is the crew that couldn't fit at the table. They were only a couple feet away, but still they were separated. *Wish* (bigger table).

Here is Harley just waiting for a treat. Doesn't he look like one of the bug-eyed, big nosed dogs that you see on school notebooks or birthday cards? Too funny!! *Wish* (doggy treats).

Every inch of counter space in my kitchen was used for serving food. *Wish* (serving buffet).

Okay, don't kill the host....

What can I say? There was a huge sale on Madagascar Christmas plates and napkins last year, and I'm using Shrek glasses to hold the plastic silverware. Are you serious? For Thanksgiving?

You know the kids loved it. *Wish* (Thanksgiving themed plates, and a plastic silverware holder).

When I prepare a holiday meal I try and make sure I slip in the family favorites. Mom knows what the kids like.

We can't have a holiday meal without cocktail shrimp. I have no idea why I prepared a ham. The family will gobble up shrimp before anything else.

Asparagus Spread has just recently become a family favorite. YES, THE FAMILY LOVES IT!!

And the tray of sugar cookies that you can barely see....wiped out!! You can always tell which grandchild was the sneakiest with the cookies. It's the one that is running and bouncing all over the house (Ashton).

And we cannot have a holiday meal without marinated mushrooms (these came in a jar, OOPS!!).

I chose to try a new recipe on the family. This is Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake (a Paula Deen recipe that I tweaked).

And what is up with that lonely corner piece? Does the corner taste different than the middle?

*Wish* (no lonely corner pieces).

I took that lonely corner piece and topped it with my home-made whipped cream. Didn't taste any different to me.

And where are the peaks? I found out that home-made whipped cream turns back to cream if not used right away. It still tasted great though.

So, there is my holiday meal in a nutshell. I have no reason to *WISH* for better or more (okay, maybe peaks on my whipped cream), because I was surrounded by good (great) food, the love of my family, and God's blessings.

Home-Made Whipped Cream

2 c. heavy cream

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

4 TBS powdered sugar

In a large mixing bowl, whip cream until stiff peaks are just about to form.

Beat in vanilla and sugar until peaks form. Make sure not to over-beat, cream will then become lumpy and butter-like.

Good Luck~Happy Eating~Enjoy