Thanksgiving is Over

Well another Thanksgiving has come and gone. We had the two of us and Marilyn’s two son’s and two granddaughters for dinner. Marilyn has been cooking for days. She made the pecan pie, cranberry salad, green bean casserole, and sweet potatoes all before the day started. They were put in the freezer and this almost caused a problem when the green beans didn’t thaw out in time. Thanks for the microwave; it comes in handy in a time like that.

O course Marilyn had set the table on Monday. She always has the table ready for days anytime we are having guests. It has to be just right you know.

Well the turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, and gravy were mine so I started early this morning. I had 4 onions that needed to be diced. One for the gravy, two for the dressing and one for the mushroom soup I always make with the stock and meat from the turkey carcass. For the soup I sautéed them with mushrooms and set aside for tomorrow when I make the soup. The two for the dressing were sautéed with some sausage, and the last one was sautéed with the giblets to make a stock for the gravy,

With that done I could take some time off. The family wasn’t going to eat until 3:30 PM and I have been using the plastic bag to cook the turkey so even for a 17 pound stuffed turkey it is about three hours. So about 11 AM I put together the snuffing and put the turkey in the oven. It was time for another break. The stock for the gravy was cooking and just needed time.

Of course the hardest time is that last rush. Cook the potatoes, mash the potatoes, make the gravy, and get everything on the table. It was a great meal and everyone ate more than they should. Now after playing some games with the girls and doing dishes it is time to relax with just the two of us. Time to think about the things we are thankful for: good health, family that is making it on their own, my 7 AM tennis friends, and the RCB Cabaret Singers especially Pauline and Ruth that make my singing possible again after many years of not singing.