Guest List: Us, Houseguests Shel and Jaime, My brother Danny, and Jaime’s friend Stephanie from Vancouver who is a freshman at NYU. That brings the Canadian count to 4 and the American count to…3. The irony of that was not lost on me.

We were having a very casual day watching TV, reading, and doing the odd dinner duty as needed. Matthew got a bunch of cooking done Wednesday but still had a bit to do. At about 3:30 we realized we were starving and he went out to get us some lunch and came home with all kinds of cheeses and charcuterie from the store down the street. We were all sitting around enjoying ourselves when the doorbell rang – it was my brother. He told me they were coming at 4:30 but I didn’t think they’d actually be on time! I was still in my PJs.

We sort of kicked it into gear at that point. Matthew and his dad got the potatoes peeled and I set the table.

By the time Steph came at 6:30 we were ready to eat.

We plated the salad before people sat down – and yes it was THE SALAD. Just like I promised.The rest was a buffet.

Turkey: Kosher. Best kind of turkey ever.

Stuffing: Mah Favorite

Roasted Brussels Sprouts: Trying to make Jaime a fellow sprout lover. FAIL. (kid is loco)

Cauliflower Au Gratin: Via Smitten Kitchen. Didn’t try it, not my thing.

Broiled Sweet Potatoes: My mother always makes this so my brother brought them. There is not a marshmallow to be found. Delish.

Matthew’s plate.

Beverages on hand were some kind of wine for the Piercy men (natch) , Dr. Browns Black Cherry for the Jews (NATCH!) and Sparkling Apple and Cranberry juices for the under 21 set.

For dessert Shel made an apple pie and Matthew made sticky toffee pudding.

Jaime and Steph

I’m so glad we kept it casual, it was so much fun. It was Matthew’s first ever turkey and it came out great!!

Tim came over for dinner so he joined us for the 15 minute ride to Bensonhurst (or Real Brooklyn as we refer to it)

We pulled up to the place and it was packed as usual with tons of people in line at 9:30 on a Sunday night. As we were walking through I caught a whiff of what is arguably one of my favorite slices of pizza and thought to myself, hmm, too bad we just ate dinner.

Not a minute later my mom said “I think I might have to get some pizza for later” Poor Sha misses her Brooklyn food almost as much as her kid. Then Tim chimed in with “I think I might have to get some pizza for lunch tomorrow” and it was sold, off we went to the pizza line instead of the spumoni line.

*note on this pic – do not feel sad for my mom that I posted a photo with her eyes closed. She does not know how to behave in front of a camera.

And how could we resist

We picked up our “pizza for later” and got in line for spumoni.

I ordered (me: Tim, what do you want? Tim: Spumoni…in the little white cup) and then turned around to witness this exchange:

Tim: I’m so excited about this pizza

Matthew: I totally know how you feel

Tim:  I think I might have to eat it now

Matthew: Interesting thought, let me ponder how that will go over

Tim: I’m just gonna LOOK at it.

Matthew: Duuuuude, you are totally asking for it!

Tim: But it smells so good!

Tim: I’m just gonna…

Me: TIM!

Here is your GD spumoni in the little white cup.

Boy that pizza tasted good on the way home.