Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Thanksgiving at Camila and Paul's

Thanksgiving 2009 was a foodie extravaganza. We were invited with all the Chaparro/Cichellos to Camila & Paul's new house on the outskirts of Washington, DC. In case you hadn't noticed the Chaparros are entranced with food of all cultures, and lots of it. But then that's what a feast is about - too much food for anyone to eat.
Here we see Camila with her lovely 25 lb turkey. And, yes, it fit in the oven with plenty of room to spare
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Thanksgiving morning Mitch and I found the ideal time to visit the Smithsonian museums as they are open every day except Christmas (aren't these employees unionized?). We Metro'd to the Museum of American Art for "1934: a New Deal for Artists" with paintings in a range of styles done by WPA artists. Small and very approachable, the exhibit provides a window into Depression times.







Then back to the C&C house for a mammoth Thanksgiving. The 25 pounds of turkey was overshadowed by mac and cheese, parsnips and pears, stuffing, vegetable/cheese bread pudding, green beans, artichoke cheese casserole, etc. etc . and then lots and lots of pies. All delicious and even after we all ate tons the leftovers overwhelmed the refrigerator and all available storage containers.

Posted by PicasaOn Friday we sent an expedition force of 10 to the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian, one of the (deservedly) most popular museums.



As if organizing our group wasn't bad enough, the museum was hosting a maise festival with lots of activities for kids so it was so busy that we couldn't have lunch at the cafeteria with its samplings of food from lots of Indian tribes. And we were so looking forward to that fry bread

But we did see a wonderful comtemporary art exhibit by Brian Jungen using modern day materials such as golf bags, and lawn chairs and baseballs to create art in a somewhat Indian tradition

That evening was Korean night for dinner with Juan and Mandy creating bi bim bop, a vegetable dish with rice and fried egg, with marinated short ribs on the side. Watch out for that red sauce...it's tasty but very hot.












Did you think we would have given up eating by Saturday???? No way. Mitch & I visited Aunt Harriet and Uncle Charlie and then the Kurlantzick tribe for Sabbath brisket before returning to the lively C&C homestead for ITALIAN night. In case you haven't figured it out from the name Cichello, Paul is Italian...and can his family cook! Sister Mary and her husband and two kids with brother Michael as well as various other friends rounded out the usual guests. Sausage lasagna and two kinds of ravioli and sausage and pasta and salad and more pie...Stop, stop. Oh, forgot to mention all the wine...that and the great company kept us laughing and happy all evening.





Unfortunately real life entervened the following day and we had to drive back to NJ and real life. Needless to say we haven't had to eat since.