Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Random Dozen: Turkey Lurkey Style


Linda, Love the dog.

1. Are you sticking to traditional Thanksgiving foods this year, or are you being culinary adventurous?

Culinary adventurous.

We are headed to the Santa Fe/Albuquerque area for the holiday. I'm hoping to enjoy a nice buffet with interesting New Mexican traditions. The only downside is no leftovers!

No turkey hash.

No turkey sandwiches.

No pie for breakfast.

The upside?

No dirty dishes.


2. Tell me something concrete that you're thankful for. (Something you can literally touch, see, etc., not a concept like "hope.")

Could I say concrete? Really, where would we be without it?

Seriously, I am thankful for my grandmother's cut glass dish that I put cranberry sauce in every year. It rests in the china cabinet next to other family dishes. Lots of memorable meals represented in there.

3. You knew the flip side was coming: Share about something intangible that you're thankful for.

Memories of family meals. We Southerners eat for every occasion- holidays, weddings, new babies, an illness, a death in the family. (Unwritten law- No funeral is complete without a bucket of chicken and a layered cake.)

Most family memories involve good food.

4. Share one vivid Thanksgiving memory. It doesn't have to be deep or meaningful, just something that remains etched in your memory.

When we first married I made a big Thanksgiving dinner. I even had Vidalia onions shipped from Georgia to Arizona so that I could make creamed onions for Hubs. I later learned that, although creamed onions were a tradition he grew up with, they were one he could live without. He'll eat them, but he doesn't have to have them.

Sweet potatoes and cranberry sauce are another story.

Anyway.

I read that you could cook the turkey upside down to keep it moist. I pulled it out of the oven and asked Hubs to slice it. He didn't know it was upside down. He started to slice it, wondering why it was all boney. I finally told him to flip it over.

The dinner turned out great and we had enough leftovers to last us until Christmas.

5. What is one thing that you know beyond a shadow of a doubt is going to happen this Thanksgiving because it always does, year after year?

I am going to eat too much.

It's tradition. Why mess with it?

6. Do your pets get any left-overs?

And she laughs hysterically.

Maggie is on a special diet. Before she was on a special diet, she did not eat leftovers. She doesn't even eat leftover cat food. It's fresh or it's nothing.

7. Does your family pray before the big meal? If so, do you join hands while seated, stand, repeat a formal prayer or offer a spontaneous prayer? Who does the praying?

If we are home, Hubs prays. If we are with family, the "man of the house" prays. We don't usually join hands at home because we are avid hand washers (i.e. germ freaks) and holding hands would mean having to get up from the table and washing them all over again.

Feel free to comment on that one.

8. Will you be watching football in the afternoon? If not, what will you be doing?

No way. I don't watch football. If we were at home, we would probably play a board game, eat some pie, then take a nap.

Then get up and eat more pie.

See # 5.


9. There are two distinct camps of people on this issue: How do you feel about oysters in the dressing/stuffing?

I've never had it, but I'd be willing to try it. I prefer no meat in my dressing, but I love it smothered in gravy.

10. Do you consider yourself informed about the first Thanksgiving?

I think so. We just studied it for homeschool, so I just went through a refresher course.

11. Which variety of pie will you be enjoying?

I hope to try something new while we are away. When I get home, I'm making pumpkin and pecan. Pecan and chocolate pecan are my favorites.

12. Do you feel for the turkey?? (This is a humorous throw back question related to the 12th question in another Random Dozen!)

No. I make it a rule not to sympathize with my food. It makes it much more enjoyable.


See Lid for more great, concrete answers. ;>)

7 comments:

The Bug said...

Oh I would love to go to Santa Fe for Thanksgiving! I think that sounds like a lot of fun. I'm not a huge fan of traditional t-day foods - don't like dressing or cranberry sauce, can take or leave turkey. Of course I love the pies!

Carpool Queen said...

One year I decided to switch up the menu and went with a Southwestern theme. The DAY BEFORE Thanksgiving, my husband informed me that friends were coming.

These particular friends were Southern in upbringing, so I made the entire traditional Southern T-giving menu as well.

Two full meals.

For four people.

I have a sickness.

Anonymous said...

I will be eating too much, as well. I am going to two dinners in one day! yikes!
Happy Thanksgiving!

Amy said...

After your prayer just pass the big ole family size bottle of purell...ha ha.

Love the vidalia onion story...how did he go about telling you that he really could pass on the dish after you went to so much trouble...I am surprised it doesn't just continue on!!

Have a great day
Amy

Skoots1moM said...

great answers...love the no dirty dishes part..
i love to serve on some of my granny's dishes, too...i have a small platter i use
Enjoy your holiday!

Anonymous said...

Do you have to get up to eat more pie?? ;) I loved your answers and I homeschool too! Good to "meet" you.
Jessie at Blog Schmog

2nd Cup of Coffee said...

Always a mix of laughter and insight here. Thanks for playing in this busy week. Have fun with #1--no dishes!