Friend Feast and a Belated Anniversary in Lawrence

As if everyone hadn't had enough turkey on Thanksgiving, Ryan and I had the KC peeps over the Sunday after T-Day for what I call "Friend Feast." The name is a little misleading as we didn't feast on friends (ewww), but it was a feast fit for friends. Check the bird:

For the first year, Ryan and I brined our turkey. If you're not familiar with brining it's basically dunking your bird in salty, herby water overnight. We did it in a cooler that was left out over night. Classy!

But, the technique resulted in a really moist, tender and tasty bird. Definitely a repeat. As per the generous nature of our friends, everyone came with tasty dishes and wine galore. AKA: Heaven.


This was also the first year that everyone had a partner for the holidays. Yes, it was a little sickening sweet, and Mike and Katrina decided to emphasize that by dressing alike. How cute.


Here we are before the meal. Unfortunately, no pics after, but just imagine us full and groaning. You know, a traditional Thanksgiving meal.

Last weekend, Ryan and I celebrated a belated anniversary in Lawrence. Isn't it just lovely? We were totally wrapped up in nostalgia from Ryan's grad school days.


We ate at Free State Brewery for a lovely lunch and beer, did some shopping on Mass and just generally got away. It was fantastic.

We stayed at the historic Hotel Eldridge and loved it. The staff was nice, the rooms were clean and spacious and it was quiet. Even on a Saturday night.

No mint on the pillow, but that's okay.

Granted the view wasn't much, but whatev. 

Before out night of gorging ourselves on pad thai from Thai Siam (simultaneously the best and worst restaurant in Lawrence) and drowning our sorrows from the MU game (or lack thereof) in a bottle of scotch, we stopped by campus for some serious reminiscing. Here's Marvin Hall. Where Ryan spent 90% of his time (including sleeping) from 2004-2007.

We had such a great time. And although I took no pics in Henry's, they still have sangria, and it's delicious. Well, the red is. They added white recently, I guess, but avoid. It's terrible.