Well, the once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon known as “Thanksgivukkah” has come and gone. Turkeys were roasted, latkes were fried, and Jews all over America are nursing leftover comas this weekend. My family came to town. My mom and I cooked for 22 people. Three turkeys. It was epic. So epic, in fact, that I became overwhelmed with holiday prep. Because of that, I owe some of you an apology.
Leading up to the holiday, I had hundreds of comments and questions come in from all over the world… questions like:
“Can I freeze this?”
“How do I transport this to my mother’s house?”
“Can I make this gluten free?”
“Can I leave out the nuts?”
“I burned my crust, how do I save it?”
It’s not surprising how many questions came in, given that two major food-oriented holidays converged. I always have lots of comments on the site, but I must admit that I was a bit unprepared for just how many there would be this month. Meanwhile, I had just wrapped a TV shoot (a sci fi show that I co-wrote/exec produced). I was juggling media deadlines and requests from major websites, TV networks and radio shows all over the U.S. My family was in town. I tried to answer as many questions as I could, but it became impossible to keep up. At a certain point, I had to take a deep breath and realize that I just wasn’t going to get to all of them before the holiday. This is a first for me. I’ve tried so hard to be there for you all and support you in your holiday cooking, even during the busiest times. But this week, I really felt like the site grew faster than I was prepared for. If I didn’t get to your question (there are still 90 waiting to be answered right now), I’m sorry.
I’m not sorry, however, for taking a break and spending time with my family. I needed to cook my own Thanksgivukkah meal. I needed to spend quality time with my mom, which doesn’t happen often enough anymore. I needed to forget that I have a website for a couple of days and just enjoy our holiday. As you can see from the pictures in this post, it was quite a meal to prepare for.
I hope you understand.
Here are a few more pics from our holiday table:
That’s my mom! 🙂
Did you celebrate both Hanukkah and Thanksgiving? Did you do a combined holiday celebration? What did you end up cooking?
You continually inspire so many, Chag Sameach!
Gorgeous menorah!
I could have done without the picture, but love reliving our Thansgivukkah celebration. Spending time with you was wonderful! Let’s do it again soon – well, maybe not as much cooking next time! Love you, and what you do for so many people! You are a treasure!
Mom you are beautiful!! Stop being so camera shy. Love you!
Beautiful table scape…no apologies are necessary. Good luck with your sci fi program…not enough sci fi on the tube…looking forward to it. 🙂
We love you!
We made a delicious deep fried sriracha turkey for Thanksgiving, and delicious, crispy latkes (grated into cold water, potato starch added from the bottom of the bowl!) and we were even so bold as to try our hand at home made sufganiyot (a second use for that new turkey fryer) and it was all delicious. Thank you for all of your recipes and tips 🙂
Everything looks so beautiful and effortless! How can you do that?
Heehee! Definitely NOT effortless Zoe, though I’m happy it seems that way. It was a lot of work, just ask my mom! 🙂
I don’t think you need to apologize for not having enough arms to do the impossible. But I did think you would apologize for using the term, “thanksgivukkah.” (JK!)
Good for you. Family comes first.
Beautiful table! Everyone needs to spend time with their loved ones.
My 11 YO made your pumpkin challah crown (plus dinner rolls) for Thanksgivvukah and it was amazing and huge! We had to add a lot more flour because we used fresh pumpkin that came from a jack-o-lantern pumpkin. Thank you so much for this site and the inventive, lovely recipes.
beautiful..
That is a beautiful menorah!
Nice Tori <3
Just gorgeous. Happy Hanukkah!
I saw this: “I grew up in San Luis Obispo, CA, which is home to a funky kitschy hotel called the Madonna Inn. These goblets are signature Madonna Inn goblets, which they use in their on-site restaurants.” and I just had to say that I grew up near there too and remember that place! Love your website and your recipes, and good for you for enjoying some family time. 🙂
No matter how much we try, we can not be at ten different places at the same time. I am sure everyone would understand. I can not keep up with the blog with only school , I have no idea how you are doing it all.
Enjoy the holidays and hope you relax soon 🙂
What a celebration you must’ve had! Beautiful table!
Beautiful Tori !!!!
Pretty menorah