Thanksgiving 2012 was a totally new experience for Sean and I. We’ve never really spent the holiday separated from friends and fam before. I was a litte sad at first, but then I realized we could pretty much make/do what we wanted ALL DAY LONG. That realization turned things around and we had a pretty amazing 2-person feast with leftovers for days. We didn’t have to worry about anyone elses tastes or preferences, or even worry about having a timely meal.
We began the day with sour-cherry champagne cocktails (sour cherry juice boiled down with a vanilla bean and some sugar, reduced by half to make a syrup, plus champagne) and ended it with too many pieces of pie. 
Instead of breakfast I made a cheese and fruit plate–there’s some port cheddar and some super aged (deeelish) gouda. I set the table with our wedding tablecloth–a gift from Sean’s BFF and best man. BFF/Best Man brought us that cloth all the way from Ecuador, PLUS he brought me some palm sugar that he harvested with his own hands. Major. My mom sent me early-Christmas in the form of golden flatware. I am obsessed.
Since we were celebrating couple-style, I wanted to do something festive in regards to being thankful, so we wrote each other cards–that’s what you see on top of our plates. Sean always writes me the sweetest notes, I always write him goofy-crazy ones.
I nuded up part of our turkey by picking it’s skin…it was just so crispy-good! It couldn’t be helped. Those are pumpkin-herb rolls and they made the best leftovers sandwiches. I love pumpkin but I hate pumpkin pie…that last photo is the top of a black-bottomed banana cream pie: shortbread crust, ganache, bananas, brown-butter pudding, and so much whipped cream…SO GOOD.
This year was different, but great. I got to lounge around with my best pal AND eat AND drink, it was totally merry.
Love this, Cindy. So great that you did everything up just for the two of you. Plus it looks delicious and you could lay claim to all the leftovers- bonus.
yes, exactly! thanks Katie!
Gorgeous spread! My boyfriend and I have celebrated Thanksgiving as a couple for two years now and I have to say it’s a good change up for the holidays. I love getting to stay cozied up all day with him while doing what we love–preparing delicious foods. Love your note idea. Totally stealing that for our anniversary dinner.
yes, exactly! it’s a very easy way to spend the holiday. You should totally steal the card idea!
Port cheddar?!! Where did you find this amazingness? sounds really good! Love the tablescape 🙂
I found the port cheddar at Whole Foods. Thanks Jackie!
It all looks absolutely beautiful! Did Sean help? I can’t help but think I would get stuck with all the work if my guy & I did Thanksgiving just the two of us…except he would definitely insist on carving the turkey 🙂
Oh, yes…Sean is a total helper and I am a total boss about it, ha!
I know how that goes. The few times my boyfriend has cooked me dinner, I’ve hovered over his shoulder giving commands 😛
haha, totally 🙂
I’m pretty sure we can call this the best 2-person Thanksgiving ever created, right? So much cuteness! I need a BFF that brings me cute table cloths and hand-harvested goodies, whoa. Love it all.
thanks, Nicole! It was pretty dang great!
lovely! do we get the recipe for the pumpkin herb rolls? they look amazingly delicious!!
I used this recipe http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/squash-pull-apart-dinner-rolls-10000001673088/ , subbed butter for shortening and I added about 2 tablespoons chopped, fresh sage, rosemary, and chives.
oh yummy! thanks so much!
oh man, way more epic than our thanksgiving, working retail puts a damper on that day, buuut your turkey is so scandalous and god bless that pie. Get it gurrrl!
retail during the holidays is the worst! I worked at a mall starbucks during college…hellish. that turkey was a hussy!
Bring Chinese, we do reunion dinner the day before Chinese New year. it’s pretty similar to how family gathers for Thanksgiving. lots of food, laughter, good time. Last year, we didn’t have anywhere to go so we were home, just the 2 of us. I was a little sad but then, like you, realized that it could be a nice time for just the 2 of us. I made my hubs dishes that he loves and we enjoyed a really restful relaxing day in. It was good. 🙂
exactly! it’s hard to be away from family, but sometimes just two is fun 🙂
that pie looks cray amay…will we see it on the blog?
it was pretty amaze, but it had some issues. I need to rework it before it becomes bloggable 😉