It was DELICIOUS!

Best turkey on record for this family.  Thanks "The Kitchen" for the new dry brine method ... worked like a charm.  The rest of the table was delicious too.  I stuck to the plan ... drank, ate hardily, enjoyed ONE serving of dessert and called it a night (a super early night ... that full belly zapped me down!).  Everything passed my "worth it" standard (even this morning).

This year I enjoyed cooking help from my eldest - nice to have some company in the kitchen.  And lots of clean up help from the rest.  My back is happy lol!

The plan is still going strong.  Thanksgiving is now over and I return to regularly scheduled eating.  Thankfully, turkey counts.  If I make this happen, the plan is complete - rocking and rolling this holiday.

I'm up early to run outside today.  Cleaning ladies this morning at 0745 (ugh, but nice to have a clean house).  We'll make ourselves scarce and hike our favorite dog trail.  I feel okay this morning ... just a bit of an unsettled stomach (wonder why?!?).

This weekend is a mix of getting stuff done and some fun.  I have a massage scheduled - yea - can't wait.  We'll see the kids off as they head back to school for their finals.  Then bring up the Christmas decorations.  Time to get started since December is such a busy month.  And (believe it or not) I need to do a cook-up on some food - the freezer is bare.  Healthy takes effort, but it's worth it.

Next on the agenda is a trip to Philadelphia for my mom's actual birthday next weekend.  My brother and sister (with families) will be there too.  It will be interesting.  Got to love families.

This next week I'm going to start some of the other projects I want to get done.  I'll think it over and decide the lucky project to go first lol.

I'll say it again, these few months have been busy - really busy.  Lots of fun, lots of HAPPY, some stress but overall - FABULOUS.  I'm finding a rhythm and a balance that makes my life feel good to me.  Yesterday was a national day to take note of grateful and thankful ... and I am.

Okay, the run is calling my name.  It's been weeks since I've run outside (sustained cardio) ... I wonder how it will feel ... I've missed it.  Brining on the HAPPY.  Later gators!