As I begin this diary (time-check 1:40pm) my house is spotless as ready for company as a house with two kids plus two dogs ever will be, dinner is in the crock-pot, and I'm waiting for my parents-in-law to arrive for Thanksgiving. What's on the menu? Follow me below the dingledoodle squigglie dKosagnocchi fluffy mashed potato divider fold after a word from our sponsor...
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This year will be different from the past I-don't-know-how-many, in that we'll only be six of us... Casa Brillig, plus Mr. Brillig's parents. I'm looking forward to cooking dinner in my own kitchen, with everyone pitching in because it's not 14 of us stepping on each other so half the people go watch TV til dinner's ready. The kids will be an integral part of preparation (K2 mostly because we're turning off the Minecraft server from noon-6pm :-)), and I am looking forward to time with my mother-in-law when everyone else has wandered off and the smell of turkey permeates the kitchen. I get to use my OWN china and table linens. And I get to sleep in my own bed when the turkey overload triggers naptime.
This is the first time in ages the entire menu has been my choice, and so to get us all in the spirit I thought I'd share our menu and inquire as to yours. Before I do, however, an important point:
I realize that this time of year is not a season of plenty for far, far too many of us. That we can't have the dinner of our dreams in the reality of economics, living situation, and myriad other issues. That our supper may be rice and beans, or whatever the soup kitchen is serving, or a sandwich on our way to or from work.
I give thanks that this year it's possible for us to indulge, and I pray next year will be the same (UU nontheist here, so please take pray with whatever mental frame you need to in order for its intended meaning... to hope fervently... to resonate for you). If you are able, please help those in need in whatever form that takes, be it donations of money, food or time at a food bank or kitchen, or by welcoming to your table a guest in the spirit of that first (in the national mythology, at least) Thanksgiving.
So here's Casa Brillig's Menu de grâces, which K1 tells me is "Thanksgiving menu" translated literally into French:
Cinnamon/Orange Rolls & English Muffins - no fancy breakfast here, as dinner will keep us stuffed. These are simply to go with the coffee or cocoa and give us sustenance to get the rest of the meal cooked!
Cheese Plate - OK, given how long the turkey will take to cook, we may get peckish before dinner. K1 loves cheese and this year put together her first cheese plate. Beautiful mix of soft and hard cheeses, featuring her favorites: sharp cheddar and aged gouda.
Turkey - This is our one indulgence, a gorgeous turkey ordered from our CSA. It is hands-down the best turkey we've ever tasted and this year, as we had to order prior to knowing where we'd be eating, we have a 24-pounder ready for brining tomorrow morning. It is worth every dollar we spend, even if it means I hunted circulars for four stores to get the rest of the meal for as little as possible.
Stuffing - Our stuffing is a hybrid mix of both sides' traditional preparations. We saute a massive pan of onions and celery in butter and moisten everything with chicken stock because that's what my Mom did. We use fresh bread and bind it all together with eggs because Mr. Brillig's Mom does. Making our own stuffing bread with herbs baked right in is our own twist.
Potatoes - We make both kinds here, white and sweet. The white are Yukon golds, and will be mashed with butter and milk. The sweets will be boiled or steamed, then drizzled with a touch of butter and maple syrup. No marshmallows.
Green Beans - This is K1's favorite (non-potato) vegetable, sauteed green beans with a maple-pecan brittle sprinkled over. We have learned over the years to make triple the brittle needed for the recipe, because it's really really good on ice cream, too :).
Brussels Sprouts - Don't make that face! Quarter the micro-cabbages, saute uncovered in olive oil and garlic until cooked, and you will never EVER turn them down again.
Biscuits - Because kids like bread, and we make a darned good biscuit courtesy of Mrs. Crocker's cookbook. In the time the turkey's resting, we can have fresh biscuits.
If anyone possibly has room for dessert several hours later, we'll have a pumpkin pie and a white chocolate mousse. Mom is making a dessert she's never made for me before, a chocolate trifle with homemade ladyfingers. Neither of us have made them before, so this will be a lovely bonding exercise!
What are your plans for Thanksgiving? Will you be with friends or family, or having a quiet day alone? Special dinner, or simply food you enjoy any day of the year? Do you have traditions/rituals or are you forging new ones? And, while not culturally Jewish I am aware of a holiday convergence this year... does that impact how you will spend your day/weekend? Got a latke recipe you'd like to share?
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From BeninSC:
Flagged by Meteor Blades, this comment in last night's TC diary by blueoregon talks about REAL victims, not those who just imagine themselves to be.
I liked this comment from Cronewit for taking the time to try to help another Kossack along a generous, creative path.
Flagged by caryltoo, this comment by Ernest T Bass (yes, really!) provides encouragement and guidance for a trip to Paris!
a gilas girl flagged this comment by Scioto.
From Yours Truly, brillig:
Joan McCarter's The good Obamacare news bubbles up prompted a thread on "lies about Obamacare" in which libera nos started us off, lgmcp set us up, and MaikeH brought us home.
Adam B gives us the news SCOTUS will review ACA's contraceptive mandate, and in the comments Hatrax wonders what happens when you replace facts and science with faith and superstition.
Top Mojo for yesterday, November 25th, first comments and tip jars excluded. Thank you
mik for the mojo magic! For those of you interested in How Top Mojo Works, please see his diary
FAQing Top Mojo.
1) This story doesn't specifically call out by karmsy — 183
2) Greed, Logic, Altruism... Whatever it takes... by TX Unmuzzled — 107
3) The story didn't but the chief did. by Mike S — 106
4) Seriously--Trying to claim ownership of the by GreenMother — 93
5) Don't forget Connecticut by DisNoir36 — 91
6) I delivered pizza for 6 years with a master's by xxdr zombiexx — 87
7) Ha! by Yoshimi — 83
8) small observation: if a person has sufficient by entlord — 79
9) Whoah! by Catte Nappe — 79
10) Missed medical bills by Morgana — 79
11) If you want to have an impact on the economy by BlackSheep1 — 73
12) This should be said over and over by CwV — 71
13) I was about to say 'Who cares what Bode Miller by Dr Erich Bloodaxe RN — 70
14) Suprised this want's in pundit roundup by teacherken — 68
15) And still by Mxwll — 67
16) Ending the culture of impunity by cai — 66
17) Thanks for needed reminder. Can't let this go. by TX Unmuzzled — 65
18) I don't have to imagine it... by triv33 — 62
19) I read about this yesterday... and I am horrified by Hopeful Skeptic — 59
20) This reality is why the pendulum will swing... by Goingallout — 57
21) Lost My Tech Career At 48 by Gooserock — 57
22) Great diary! by War on Error — 54
23) If you aren't recovering from a turkey hangover by koosah — 54
24) May it be a long and horrible nightmare... by JeffW — 54
25) dis how 2 de-stressin by KrazyKitten — 53
26) I sure hope McKenna prevails. by CwV — 53
27) In the interview for the job I have now by xxdr zombiexx — 50
28) Well it shor aint relaxin' by Horsefeathers — 50
29) It's one of those things by PJEvans — 49
30) The whole idea of the mother by Ellid — 49
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Pictures Cats (sigh) for yesterday, November 25th. Click any image to be taken to the full comment. Thank you
jotter for the image magic AND for the assist tonight when the Quilt borked!
In WAY FANTASTIC news... as TC Cat-Herder-In-Chief, it gives me great pleasure to announce that four... count em, FOUR new diarists will be joining the Top Comments Crew. They're still getting set with group adds and picking dates for their first diaries, but please give a warm welcome to bastrop, lotac, Tara the Antisocial Social Worker and puddytat!!!