Post Thanksgiving Cold-Induced Random Notes
1. Best turkey ever.....I swear it was even better than the one I got from the farmers' market last year that, while wonderful, cost a hell of a lot of money given my budget. This year things are tight so when Schnuck's had an ad for frozen turkeys at 39 cents a pound we figured that was it. When Ernie went however, they were out of the frozen turkeys so sold him a fresh turkey for the same price. Thus we ended up with an almost 20 lb. fresh turkey for something like 8 bucks! I decided not to put my stuffing inside it this year and while I think my stuffing suffered a bit for it the turkey was marvelous. It was kind of a chaotic morning---I got up to make the stuffing, gave Ernie a few directions and set off for the hospital. Oh, and the night before Ernie had rubbed the turkey all over inside and out with chopped fresh sage and kosher salt. I forgot to tell Ernie to put butter on the skin as I usually do but we decided to let it go without as when I roast chicken I don't do that..... The result was the most delicate skin, gorgeously browned----the dark meat was completely cooked but the white meat was outrageously moist. Ernie usually eschews the white meat but he loved it this time. Best turkey ever.....
2. Best gravy ever. After Ernie had bought this turkey so cheap I sent him back for another. By that time they had more frozen turkeys so the deal was over but he went ahead and got a small fresh turkey and we grilled it that day. I have found that I just don't care for small turkeys.....shorter cooking times just leaves it tasting different to me. I don't know if that makes any sense but the grilled turkey was o.k. but not thrilling. However it left me with a carcass to make turkey stock out of. Then on Thanksgiving morning I cooked the turkey neck int he broth, making it even richer. Then I made a roux and added the broth. It tasted pretty great then and when the Thanksgiving turkey was done all I had to do was add the degreased pan drippings and I had amazing gravy. Ernie just wanted to drink it straight....but then again he's just that kind of guy.
3. Between spending the morning at the hospital, coming down with a cold and not sleeping well the night before by the time dinner was approaching I was in NO mood to peel potatoes so I sliced up a bunch of yukon golds, simmered them for a few minutes and then threw them in a casserole dish with some grated cheese, garlic and cream. Stupidly simple and good although I'll go back to mashed potatoes next year. Brussels sprouts----beautiful but so-so. The last year or two whenever I have a bit of good bread (I love the La Brea breads) left I throw it in the freezer and then I pull them all out to cut up and toast for use in stuffing. That, some sausage, apple and aromatics makes for my favorite stuffing.....
4. What else? Well, I think we're going to make the Bourbon Pumpkin Cheesecake today since we didn't manage it on Wednesday or yesterday.
5. My mother seems MUCH better----back to herself thank God! She may go back to the nursing home tomorrow, and hopefully with more diuretics in the mix we'll avoid a repeat of this. We'll see.
6. We went and bought our Christmas trees today. Owen fell madly in love with a tree that he thought was the right size for him so our dining room tree will be a bit shorter than usual. Leo, my holiday boy, was in festive spirits (clamoring yesterday to set the table for Thanksgiving dinner and the like) and today.....well, let's just say that picking out a Christmas tree with Leo is one of life's greatest pleasures. He is SO happy.....he just chatters away.....he even let me take a PICTURE of him.....
7. Dennis brought the guys these rocket things that they loved-----they shot incredibly high out in the field and they had a great time with them after Thanksgiving and then again this afternoon. Note Leo's snazzy outfit.....jeans jacket and black gloves.....
8. Update Saturday morning. My mother is going back to the nursing home today.....and she's cranky again. Ah well. I'll go by the nursing home later. I was going to go over to the hospital now but she called her homecare worker to come over and get her out of bed into a chair. She has become almost obsessed with not lying in bed. Eh, I'm just going to try to enjoy the day. My cold doesn't seem quite as overwhelming today----we're going to bring the Christmas trees inside and decorate them tonight.
9. Last night we put my little Christmas trees on the mantel. I think it was Judi who started giving me a little Christmas tree every year.....and then my friend Eileen gave me some wonderful ones too. It's now a tradition that I get a new one every year. The boys LOVE putting them up.....it's become one of our most important Christmas traditions.....the shiny blue one is this year's new one.....please note the group of Lego carolers singing (Owen's contribution). I used to feel that Thanksgiving weekend was too soon to start Christmas decorations but now I've given in and embrace it....and besides our Christmas party is next weekend. We won't be terribly prepared for it but in the scheme of things I guess that doesn't really matter...don't forget to email me if you need directions!
10. Oh....and I forgot to say......one of the BIGGEST dilemmas of the holiday season has been solved. WHAT to do with the millenium falcon. If we're going to have Fats and Kristi Rose in the best corner of our small living room for music....then the Christmas tree has to go where the millenium falcon has been on display. There have been long conversations, lengthy sessions with measuring tapes and near panic....but we finally figured it out. Leo did not trust anyone else to actually move it from one table to the other......
11. Maybe toDAY we'll make the cheesecake....who knows!