Fun Morning of Cooking and Baking

Happy Thanksgiving!

So far, it's been a great day. It's just J.D. and I at home. We put our turkey in the oven exactly 1 hour ago. (The timer just went off). J.D. agreed to a semi-experimental Thanksgiving this year. Tofurkey was out, but we are trying a trick I learned from Renei, to put the turkey breast down in the pan, so it soaks in the drippings more. Back in 2000, the year we -- Renei, Candice, Marilyn, and I-- lived in Boise, Renei made the most delicious turkey. I just hope our turkey turns out this year.

As part of slightly non-traditional Thanksgiving this year, J.D. and I have been eating pumpkin pie since Sunday, (Ok, mostly me, tiny slices everyday). We still have 3 big slices left. Also this year, I'm making two different dressings. The first is the traditional one I learned from Mom, with butter and evaporated milk. This year I also added mushrooms and carrots to go with the onions and celery. We'll see how it turns out. I'm also trying one made with more interesting ingredients like a green apple, raisins, walnuts, etc. We'll see. Again, I just wanted to try something a little different.

This morning Athena woke me by purring on my chest. She does that almost every morning, but I always think it's special and cute. She'll just sit there purring until I open my eyes and pet her. Then sometimes we'll fall back asleep together. She doesn't do it for food, just to say good morning. She's such a sweet kitty. (As well as a total goofball at times). A while ago she discovered a new game. She was pulling a spare button out of the blue pottery vase Catherine and Michael gave us. She did it repeatedly before I took her small button away and gave her balled-up paper to chase. --A more appropriate kitty toy.

Anyway, back to Thanksgiving. This morning J.D. and I prepared the turkey and stuffing. J.D. handled the turkey, while I whipped up Mom's dressing recipe. We listened to Diane Rehm talking about Emily Dickinson. Then I enjoyed listening to people talking about all their different Thanksgivings around the country and different delicious dishes on The Splendid Table. Fellow Foodies. :)

Then we got to talk with Abby, Riley, Angela and Connie and wish them all a Happy Thanksgiving!

What a good day so far! (Now, I better get the deviled eggs started).

I hope everyone is having a lovely day-- let me know what you're doing too! And just know we wish you a great day, wherever you are.