Thanksgiving aka Friendsgiving aka...

a lot of other random names that were dreamed up at the table in between tons of laughter and tons of food. Just as it should be!

With Christmas just a few weeks away, I stay in NC for Thanksgiving. Don't worry...I head home for about two weeks at Christmas so there is plenty of family time.

Two years ago, my friend/sorority sister Carrie and I hosted Friendgiving for 8-10 people. Quite the undertaking! While I had helped with Thanksgiving while growing up (including cooking my epic first turkey at 15 years old), neither Carrie and I had never been the primary hosts. It was fun and full of warm fuzzies but exhausting!

Last year, I ventured to New Bern, NC with my friend/sorority sister Julia. I had never been to eastern NC so it was quite an adventure. We saw a recently killed black bear, ate my first fried turkey, and then toured around the colonial capital of NC.

                 Reproduction of Tryon Palace, built by the last colonial Lord Governor of North Carolina

      New Bern is named after Bern, Switzerland. Bears are the symbol of Bern and also roam around NC.

                                                A dugout canoe? Of course, I have to get in!

This year, Carrie and I again reprised Friendsgiving. It ended up only being four of us, but it was a fantastic, relaxing, not stressful day at all. We learned our lesson two years ago...start prepping earlier. I made my pie, thawed the chicken, prepped the green beans, and made the squash on Wednesday night and Thursday morning. One of the benefits of a friend who is also a professional photographer...a blog full of great photos. You can learn more about Friendsgiving 2011 here.

I'll update on the yarn wreaths later!