I love pie

We hosted our first Thanksgiving! 25 people, including kids. I did no cooking except for pies - a pecan, a chocolate pecan (the winner of the evening) and a salted caramel apple which was a total bummer, despite its delicious and exotic-sounding name (booooo Food Network magazine. This was the second loser I've made from your pages).

I was motivated to actually put pictures up on a few walls so guests had something to look at (in most rooms). In the dining room, however, it was just sheetrock on the walls and ceiling. But that was better than dangling insulation the night before. With my brother-in-law, sister-in-law and her fiance, we were able to put it up on Tuesday night. We ooohed and aaaaahed over the gleaming, beautiful white sheetrock, which was sooooo much classier than wood paneling and wood beams. Then, my initial excitement fading, I felt like we really had no business having guests over to eat in that room. But it all turned out fine and my husband even creatively pulled out colored pencils and invited everyone to graffiti the walls before painting, which turned out to be a big hit.

Here I am looking happy because it's almost time to eat, and I've had a glass (or 2?) of wine. Thanksgod it's over!