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You are here: Home / Politics / Domestic Politics / Pre-Thanksgiving Open Thread

Pre-Thanksgiving Open Thread

by Betty Cracker|  November 25, 20154:00 pm| 99 Comments

This post is in: Domestic Politics, Open Threads

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I recently bought a new birdfeeder that hangs on the window near my home office workspace via suction cups. So far, the birds have boycotted it, but I have a new squirrel-friend:

squirrelfriend nov 2015

Shut up. She can’t help it. That’s how you’d look too if you were just noshing on your sunflower seeds and looked up to find T-Rex staring back at you. With a camera.

I’m not one of those people who begrudge squirrels seed from my birdfeeders. If anything, the squirrels are more entertaining than the birds — complicated acrobatics are required for the squirrel to get into that feeder.

The feeder is attached to the upper pane of the window, so the dogs frequently pass by without noticing the squirrel. But when they do, they carry on as if a horde of zombie mail carriers were attempting to crash through the wall.

I still haven’t worked out how I’m going to prevent those outbursts when I have a conference call scheduled. I may have to break down and get shades or curtains for that bare window just to hide the squirrels from the dogs.

*****

We are hosting 11 at our place tomorrow. Here’s the stuff I’m making:

– Turkey
– Gravy
– Dressing (or stuffing, as some call it)
– Mashed potatoes
– Cranberry relish
– Fried cabbage
– Corn soufflé
– Candied sweet potatoes

In addition to that, I’ve farmed out several side dishes to guests, including the obligatory green bean casserole and mac ‘n cheese. I’m also making a fall sangria (i.e., tossing apple slices and cranberries into my regular sangria) and serving several appetizers.

Friday morning, we’ll make a picnic basket of our leftovers and set out for the northern counties, where we’ll camp out, canoe and visit my old grandma and other relatives.

*****

The Thanksgiving before last, my husband, kid and I traveled up to have Thanksgiving with my mom and grandma at Mom’s little house in the woods. I was in charge of the turkey and dressing. About two hours before we were scheduled to eat, my brother called me and said he and his two kids were on their way — to surprise Mom.

They were supposed to be having Thanksgiving with his wife’s family, but my brother changed his mind on Thanksgiving Day. I’ve gotta admit, I was annoyed as hell, though I hid it well on the phone.

I’m not this woman, but when I undertake a herculean task like cooking Thanksgiving dinner, it’s important to me to do it right. Since we were cooking for just a handful of people, three completely unexpected guests threw a monkey-wrench into my plans, and I wasn’t even supposed to tell Mom, my fellow cook, about the last-minute 50% increase in mouths to feed.

I didn’t tell her, either. But I found my husband outside by the campfire and ranted to him about the imminent arrival of my inconsiderate shithead brother and his two picky eaters. Who does that, ferchrissake? (I asked, rhetorically.) A person who has never cooked an elaborate meal for other people, that’s who.

After I got all that off my chest and had a glass of chardonnay, my husband pointed out that my brother’s arrival would make Mom and Grandma happy, and that we really would be able to feed everyone one way or another. He didn’t say “quit being so inflexible and enjoy your family like you’re supposed to over the holidays” in so many words, but he conveyed that message in the nicest possible way, and I heard it.

And you know what? Everything turned out fine. Everyone got enough to eat. Mom was surprised and thrilled to have ALL of her grandchildren under one roof along with two of her three kids.

We didn’t know it at the time, but that was the last Thanksgiving we’d ever have with Mom. The ultimately fatal heart problem that would take her from us at age 68 would manifest two months later, and a month after that, she would be gone.

So I’m damn glad my brother did unexpectedly show up with his kids that Thanksgiving, even if it was inconsiderate to the cooks. And I’m going to try to keep that in mind as little annoyances arise over this holiday season, as they inevitably will.

None of that shit is important. The people you love are, even when they show up unexpectedly or express absurd opinions or turn the gravy boat over onto your white linen tablecloth.

Anyway, sorry to get all heavy on you in the middle of an open thread that started off innocuously enough about squirrels. Please feel free to relate your plans, detail your cooking strategy or discuss other topics!

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99Comments

  1. 1.

    Germy

    November 25, 2015 at 4:07 pm

    Carving the turkey, pre-code.

    Pacing myself. I tend to overeat this time of year, and people get insulted if I say “no thanks” to their offerings.

    I’ve been seeing an abundance of black squirrels, along with the gray ones. The cat watches them through the window. It’s her superbowl.

    Yesterday, the Mrs. took a hammer to some cocoanuts she brought home. She’s baking some sort of concoction with them.

  2. 2.

    Germy

    November 25, 2015 at 4:11 pm

    Hard to believe it’ll be 2016 in a few short weeks. Why does time fly by so quickly?

  3. 3.

    AliceBlue

    November 25, 2015 at 4:13 pm

    I’d love to see the recipe for fried cabbage! (I’m assuming there’s more to it than peeling off cabbage leaves and throwing them into a skillet of hot oil).

  4. 4.

    Josie

    November 25, 2015 at 4:14 pm

    Your story struck home with me. I was worrying about how my whole family – three boys and two wives + new grand daughter would fit in my small downsized house and barely big enough table for Thanksgiving dinner. I will worry no more and just enjoy the fact that I will have them all together for a wonderful visit. Also, your bird feeder looks like the one we put up last week, and not one bird has ventured in to eat the seeds yet. I wonder how long it takes them to discover it.

  5. 5.

    Cacti

    November 25, 2015 at 4:14 pm

    First Thanksgiving in my 13th year of married life that we won’t be spending at the home of either set of in-laws. Just me, the missus, and the kiddos.

    I’m deeply thankful that I don’t have to make a long, exhausting trip and I get to do wtf ever I feel like for my long weekend.

  6. 6.

    Germy

    November 25, 2015 at 4:15 pm

    @AliceBlue: Agreed. The fried cabbage sounds interesting. I don’t think I’ve ever had it cooked that way.

  7. 7.

    Neutron Flux

    November 25, 2015 at 4:16 pm

    Perfect message. Thanks for that. And, keep picking the Chiefs to lose, thanks for that also.

  8. 8.

    Schlemazel

    November 25, 2015 at 4:17 pm

    @Germy:
    Time flies like an arrow . . . fruit flies like a banana. h/t the one, the only,Groucho

    I was thinking of asking a few days back and Cole’s post below reminded me: Anyone know how Soonergrunt is doing? Hope all is on the mend and we can see him back here some day soon.

  9. 9.

    RandomMonster

    November 25, 2015 at 4:18 pm

    Thanks for a heartfelt and sensible post, BC.

  10. 10.

    Germy

    November 25, 2015 at 4:20 pm

    @Schlemazel:

    the only,Groucho

    Apparently they’re doing a film version of “Raised Eyebrows” the alarming account of Groucho’s final days with Erin Fleming. To be directed by Rob Zombie.

    I didn’t know until recently that Ms. Fleming had ended her life.

  11. 11.

    c u n d gulag

    November 25, 2015 at 4:21 pm

    I know how you feel.

    It was 4 years ago at Thanksgiving, that my beloved father exhibited symptoms of a cancer that had gone from his bladder, to his brain.

    His last holiday with us and his grandchildren, was Easter, 2012.
    He died less than a week later.

    Yeah, food is food, and even when it seems too finite, it can be shared, or extra stuff can be made at the last minute if more people show up than originally intended.

    But, family and friends are finite.
    We all are.

    Treasure them while they’re here.
    There’ll be other holidays with many of in the future, but you never know which holiday will be the last one with others.

  12. 12.

    geg6

    November 25, 2015 at 4:22 pm

    I am in charge of three dishes for our family gathering tomorrow. My roasted carrots with olive oil, local honey, sea salt and fresh ground pepper are always a hit and, by far, my most requested dish. Also making roasted Brussels sprouts tossed in the local honey and balsamic vinegar will also go over well. It better. I spent more than an hour and a half cleaning and trimming those damn little cabbages today. Lastly, I’m trying a Food Network Magazine recipe for mashed sweet potatoes with pecans. It’s different because it has both sweet potatoes and russet potatoes in equal amounts. A little milk, salt, lots of butter, ground pepper, brown sugar, chopped pecans and a pinch of cayenne. I’m thinking the russets are to make them fluffier than just plain mashed yams or sweet potatoes usually are. We’ll see.

  13. 13.

    Rosalita

    November 25, 2015 at 4:22 pm

    Betty can chime in with her recipe, but the fried cabbage I’ve had is fried in bacon drippings and of course the bacon bits. Yum!!

    Thanksgiving is definitely an annual cultural experiment. Anyone remember the movie “Home for the Holidays”? I recent years it’s just been turkey day at my house with my parents, and this year the addition of a friend. Less is more for me.

  14. 14.

    dmsilev

    November 25, 2015 at 4:23 pm

    Mom baked the apple pie and I made the chocolate cake. Turkey is prepped to go in the oven in the morning. Most of the furniture is set, though we do have to put up the baby gates tomorrow (my niece and nephew are still young enough to need a bit of corralling). Tomorrow, the turkey goes in the oven, we prep and roast the veggies, etc.

    So far, no insurmountable crises.

  15. 15.

    Brachiator

    November 25, 2015 at 4:23 pm

    Very nice Thanksgiving story. I’ve never cared about the food. That is, people get fed, and the effort is appreciated. And I figured that if someone cares enough to want to come and visit with family for a while, especially if they bring a friend or show up unexpected, it’s all good.

    Just finished servings from a lunch potluck. There is still enough left over to feed a small army. But it’s funny. There is mirth among those of us who had to come in today. The day is going well, and going fast.

    Happy Thanksgiving to all.

  16. 16.

    Mnemosyne (iPhone)

    November 25, 2015 at 4:24 pm

    We’re having takeout turkey from Mimi’s Cafe this year, but since my sister-in-law is known as “Potato Buds and turkey loaf” around these parts, we’re fine with that. G is making his famous pineapple-cherry dump cake to bring with us along with a bottle of wine, so it should be fine.

  17. 17.

    NotMax

    November 25, 2015 at 4:24 pm

    enjoy your family like you’re supposed to over the holidays

    6000 miles away is quite the fine distance for enjoyment to set in.

    YMMV.

    Grocery shopping trip for tomorrow planned for this afternoon. Raining cats and dogs and other assorted wildlife, with flash flood warnings up all over the place. Gonna be a lot of damp, grumpy people wandering the food aisles.

  18. 18.

    SIA

    November 25, 2015 at 4:25 pm

    My MILdied this year and my husband DID NOT WANT to go anywhere, which means a quiet TG at home with no insanity, just us, 2 dogs, & 2 cats. I’m making a pumpkin pie & broccoli salad & he’s cooking the turkey & a sweet potato soufflé. We picked up dressing from the hippie health food store. Feeling very pleased with our plans.

  19. 19.

    FlyingToaster

    November 25, 2015 at 4:26 pm

    @Neutron Flux: Ditto. And, Betty, keep picking the Pats to lose, since picking them to win didn’t work :) Jeebus, that was a clusterfuck of a game.

    Note: Brady and Gronk are the only starters that seem to be left; most of the remaining players are StarTrek Redshirts to be sacrificed to whoever NE plays next. I’m not actually a Pats fan, but Bellichek is a much better coach than I realized, when he’s still getting a decent game out of kids called up from the practice squad against the other NFL teams. Or maybe just the Bills suck.

    FlyingToaster: grew up in KC, loves the Chiefs, doesn’t believe they can survive their division
    WarriorGirl (daughter): Patriots fan; laughs at Mom and Dad (‘Fins fan)

  20. 20.

    Rosalita

    November 25, 2015 at 4:26 pm

    Anyone know how Soonergrunt is doing?

    I’ve seen him bantering with John on Twitter, as late as yesterday so his snark meter is still in good shape

  21. 21.

    NotMax

    November 25, 2015 at 4:28 pm

    For last minute cooks with trepidations, Alton Brown’s traditional roast turkey method.

  22. 22.

    Yutsano

    November 25, 2015 at 4:30 pm

    @Schlemazel: Seems to be doing okay post divorce and living in Utah. Since he’s from Colorado it’s almost like being home for him. I feel for him because jumping agencies sucks. He seems to be doing all right though.

    Hopefully he’ll pop in and give some word. I might give him a nudge to see if he’ll do that.

  23. 23.

    Mnemosyne (iPhone)

    November 25, 2015 at 4:30 pm

    @Brachiator:

    Food matters, but not in the ways you’d assume. When I get to a real keyboard, I’ll tell the tale of the passive-aggressive pan of stuffing that symbolized how wrong one Thanksgiving had gone.

  24. 24.

    Althea

    November 25, 2015 at 4:32 pm

    Great shot of Miss Squirreleh!

  25. 25.

    Mnemosyne (iPhone)

    November 25, 2015 at 4:32 pm

    Also, too, here’s how to watch tomorrow’s MST3K Turkey Day Marathon online

  26. 26.

    SIA

    November 25, 2015 at 4:33 pm

    @c u n d gulag: My father died suddenly in early November 1994, from an unexpected leukemia diagnosis. Two weeks later we had TG dinner and crap was it painful. Everyone but sober me drank themselves into solace. Still hurts my heart to remember that year. Love ’em while ya got ’em.

  27. 27.

    blackcatsrule

    November 25, 2015 at 4:35 pm

    Betty, please post your recipe for fried cabbage!

  28. 28.

    NotMax

    November 25, 2015 at 4:35 pm

    (Repeat)

    Bouncy music to do Turkey Day cooking by.

    All That Meat and No Potatoes.

  29. 29.

    SiubhanDuinne

    November 25, 2015 at 4:36 pm

    With you on the squirrels, Betty C. I’ve always found them supremely entertaining, and they deserve to eat just as much as the birds do.

    My father had a little dog years ago (toy poodle, or maybe a min-toy, I’m not sure) who went absofuckinglutely full-blown batshit insane whenever a squirrel came into view. She even learned to go crazy and bark her little head off when someone in the family said the word “squirrel,” so they decided to refer to any squirrel as an “S.Q.” Before too long, the dog had figured that out, so they switched over to German: “Das Eichhörnchen”. . . .

  30. 30.

    SiubhanDuinne

    November 25, 2015 at 4:40 pm

    Dressing (or stuffing, as some call it)

    Maybe this conversation has already taken place, but isn’t the distinction that “stuffing” is cooked inside the bird, whereas “dressing” is prepared separately?

    Hence their NAMES?

  31. 31.

    Germy

    November 25, 2015 at 4:42 pm

    @NotMax: I wish someone would make a good movie about Fats Waller. One of the greats of the 20th century, and died way too young.

  32. 32.

    NotMax

    November 25, 2015 at 4:42 pm

    @NotMax

    And another.

    I Like Pie, I Like Cake

  33. 33.

    Mnemosyne (iPhone)

    November 25, 2015 at 4:42 pm

    @c u n d gulag:

    We all knew at Christmas 2012 that my dad was fading so we made an extra effort to be as festive as possible since it was his favorite holiday. The stubborn old bastard made it all the way to January 3rd and saved us from a tax nightmare.

    2012 was a really bad year — each of my in-laws and my husband lost a parent — and I’m still convinced my dad was supposed to go then, too, but he was just too pigheaded to go when everyone else did.

  34. 34.

    22over7

    November 25, 2015 at 4:43 pm

    Thanks for this thread. This year it’s just spouse and me, and I’m feeling a little sad that my old dad won’t be sitting at the head of the table hoovering up whatever I put in front of him.

    When I had a group to feed, I admit it was a pain. But they were such good times that I’m grateful now for every relative, friend, or stray who ever sat at my Thanksgiving table.

  35. 35.

    jl

    November 25, 2015 at 4:43 pm

    Desperately looking for them little round pumpkin cookies with the spice frosting on top.
    Forgot about getting them until now, and I see others had not forgotten.

  36. 36.

    KJSBrooklyn

    November 25, 2015 at 4:45 pm

    I have the same 11 family members every year at my house for Thanksgiving and this year my 31 y.o. nephew decided not to come. I’m feeling hurt about it, trying to get over it. He’s an adult and can do as he likes, but my family is small and we will miss him.

  37. 37.

    Karmus

    November 25, 2015 at 4:45 pm

    We are hosting 11 at our place tomorrow. Here’s the stuff I’m making:

    Mmm. How I wish it could be 12.

    Happy Thanksgiving, Betty and all Juicers!

  38. 38.

    Mudge

    November 25, 2015 at 4:48 pm

    That appears to be gray squirrel. We only have fox squirrels and (lots of) red squirrels. Both indulge at the feeders. The red squirrels are unlikable. I saw one kill and eat a sparrow once. But we have a cat. The red squirrels taunt her. She is obsessed with them, much more than birds.

  39. 39.

    JMG

    November 25, 2015 at 4:48 pm

    Just four of us for tomorrow, me, spouse, son and a sister-in-law who lives in Cambridge. Turkey, mashed potatoes, mashed turnip, oyster stuffing, green beans with a Thai chili and mint sauce, cranberry sauce, apple pie. Also bourbon and white wine.
    My brother, one of his daughters and her two children are visiting my mom in Florida for this holiday. My family will do Christmas and New Year’s there. She damn near died from lung problems in May, but is about 1000 percent better now. She’s tough for 91.

  40. 40.

    imonlylurkening: The Sequel

    November 25, 2015 at 4:52 pm

    Normally I have this enormous menu including a turkey which my roommate always volunteers to cook. She’s really good at it. Turns out she can’t stand turkey! Last year we roasted a chicken and I made tofu for our vegetarian friend, plus the usual sides.

    This year, the tofu will be Italian Balsamic and the carnivores will get corned beef. Sides are kind of random-baby red potatoes and cabbage in veggie stock (so the vegetarian can have some), a cucumber/tomato/kalamata olive/feta cheese salad, squash with butter and garlic, and pear-ginger cranberry sauce. I got two pies for dessert-pumpkin and peach strudel-and now I’m wondering if I need to get more pie. There’s only going to be three of us, and I’m sitting here thinking, “Maybe one more….I have enough around the pantry to throw together a pie.”

    What is wrong with me???

  41. 41.

    PurpleGirl

    November 25, 2015 at 4:55 pm

    @c u n d gulag: Good to see you commenting. Hope you have been recovering from your recent medical issues. Have a good holiday with your family.

  42. 42.

    hitchhiker

    November 25, 2015 at 4:58 pm

    Thanks for that post, BC. Our daughter’s husband can be challenging; you’ve just reminded me that there’s no guarantee all of us will still be breathing next year at this time. I want to pay attention to what I love and not what makes me think of rusty pitchforks and their uses.

    There’s always plenty of both, so it’s kinda up to me.

  43. 43.

    bystander

    November 25, 2015 at 4:59 pm

    I guess the moral of this thread is don’t show up unexpectedly at Betty Cracker’s on Thanksgiving unless you want to be served ecureuil roti a la floridienne.

  44. 44.

    Mike in NC

    November 25, 2015 at 5:00 pm

    Four trips to the supermarket and we still don’t have everything the women need to cook with tomorrow. Not going back out there tonight because traffic is too insane. Time instead for Happy Hour.

  45. 45.

    PurpleGirl

    November 25, 2015 at 5:01 pm

    I’m largely estranged from my family (an older brother and older sister and their families). Both my parents have passed. The Peekskill friends with whom I used to spend the holidays moved to Florida and divorced some years ago. (Before their divorce I went down to Florida for the holidays a few times.) Because of my own medical issues for the last year, I’ve sort of been a hermit.

    But tomorrow I have a reservation at a local restaurant/pub I like and will have turkey with the trimmings. I might go to the movies in the evenings. Now I need to plan something for my birthday on Monday. (The weekend is also fraught for me because its an anniversary of losing my job in 2008.)

  46. 46.

    22over7

    November 25, 2015 at 5:01 pm

    Also, has anyone heard from Aimai lately?

  47. 47.

    Phylllis

    November 25, 2015 at 5:03 pm

    Just me and the hubby tomorrow, and we’re looking forward to a quiet day. I put my dressing together this afternoon, and despite my attempts to not make enough for an army, still have way too much. Went with a store-bought sweet potato pie–the local Piggly Wiggly has a good bakery and makes a better pie than I could put together.

  48. 48.

    Jager

    November 25, 2015 at 5:04 pm

    In our little canyon neighborhood the power lines are about 40 feet off the ground, making our squirrels masters of the high wire. Anze the Dog goes absolutely crazy as they move back and forth across the wires, into the trees, back to the wire. He barks and leaps in the air at them and I always thought German Shepherds were smart. The squirrels go to bed early and then the raccoons take over dog irritation duties.

  49. 49.

    Germy

    November 25, 2015 at 5:08 pm

    @PurpleGirl: I understand. Sometimes people can be so difficult that estrangement is the best solution. What movie are you planning to see?

    And early birthday greetings to you.

  50. 50.

    Betty Cracker

    November 25, 2015 at 5:09 pm

    FRIED CABBAGE:
    – 1 cabbage (stem removed), halved, quartered and then cut into strips
    – 3 slices of bacon, chopped
    – 1 small to medium yellow onion, diced
    – apple cider vinegar
    – red pepper flakes
    – salt & pepper

    Fry bacon in skillet; remove and set aside when crisp. Sautée onion in bacon grease until translucent. Add a pinch of pepper flakes, sautéing for 30 seconds or so, then add cabbage, stirring constantly. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cover briefly until cabbage wilts, if necessary (this depends on the grease level). Add bacon back in and about a tablespoon of cider vinegar. Stir and transfer to serving dish. Serve warm!

  51. 51.

    Sister Rail Gun of Warm Humanitarianism

    November 25, 2015 at 5:10 pm

    @Mike in NC: Traffic is insane both outside and inside the groceries.

    I’m almost convinced that most of the people I was in the grocery with this afternoon had never been in one before.

  52. 52.

    Germy

    November 25, 2015 at 5:14 pm

    Fox News host Harris Faulkner appeared momentarily stunned during a Thanksgiving cooking segment on Wednesday when host Brian Kilmeade asked her if she served Kool-Aid with her meals.

    On the final episode of Fox & Friends before the Thanksgiving holiday, Faulkner shared her recipe for making peach cobbler.
    As with most short morning show cooking segments, Faulkner was rushing to explain how the dish was prepared until Kilmeade forced her to do a double take.
    “Do you make Kool-Aid?” he asked.
    “Uh, do I do what?” she replied.
    “Make Kool-Aid,” Kilmeade repeated.
    “Uh, no,” Faulkner stuttered. “I – I don’t make Kool-Aid.”

  53. 53.

    Debbie

    November 25, 2015 at 5:14 pm

    @PurpleGirl:

    Mine too! I get to spend the first part in a dentist’s chair.

  54. 54.

    Mnemosyne (iPhone)

    November 25, 2015 at 5:16 pm

    @Germy:

    I was not surprised to see what Faulkner’s race is. Still, what a jerk.

  55. 55.

    Debbie

    November 25, 2015 at 5:18 pm

    @Germy:

    That’ll definitely be an SNL bit before long.

  56. 56.

    Gin & Tonic

    November 25, 2015 at 5:19 pm

    @Betty Cracker: Needs more bacon (don’t most dishes?)

    Actually, I do pretty much the same thing but using red cabbage, and I add a little actual apple cider and some brown sugar to get that sweet-and-sour thing going. It’s always a big hit.

  57. 57.

    Gin & Tonic

    November 25, 2015 at 5:22 pm

    Anyway, we are heading to my wife’s parents’, as they can no longer travel any great distance, being 91 years old. Two of our children will be there, with significant others. I will probably spend the evening drinking whiskey with my son and my son-in-law. Much food will be consumed prior to that.

  58. 58.

    trollhattan

    November 25, 2015 at 5:23 pm

    @SiubhanDuinne:
    Umlauts always throw the doggies (unless a German shorthair, in which case try Italian).

  59. 59.

    SIA

    November 25, 2015 at 5:26 pm

    @imonlylurkening: The Sequel:

    pear-ginger cranberry sauce

    That sounds delicious. Is it easy? I only cook easy stuff. :)

  60. 60.

    Warren Terra

    November 25, 2015 at 5:31 pm

    I traditionally make matzoh ball soup. It requires some planning ahead – at least the day before – but it uses a lot of the same vegetables you’ll be using for the rest of the meal, and it’s a great cold-weather thing.

    In other Thanksgiving news, I heard the annual White House turkey-pardoning (on TV, but I wasn’t looking at the screen). It sounded like good fun, especially when Obama thanked his daughters for putting up with this nonsense every year.

  61. 61.

    dmsilev

    November 25, 2015 at 5:39 pm

    @Warren Terra: I’m sure the House is assembling a Special Committee to investigate this horrible abuse of the President’s pardoning powers as we speak. We will learn by next week that the turkey was actually a key player in preventing military intervention at Benghazi.

  62. 62.

    JPL

    November 25, 2015 at 5:43 pm

    @Betty Cracker: What a sweet post and thank you.

    When my second son was three months old, the ex and I had twenty two for Thanksgiving. A few years ago, a sister-in-law mentioned that meal and said she was always so amazed by me. She asked how I could do it with two boys under two. My response was I didn’t know better. It was really sweet of her to remember that though.

  63. 63.

    Germy

    November 25, 2015 at 5:44 pm

    I recently bought a new birdfeeder that hangs on the window near my home office workspace via suction cups. So far, the birds have boycotted it…

    The reason for the boycott is the first item on your thanksgiving menu. They are expressing solidarity with the sacrificial bird.

  64. 64.

    The Golux

    November 25, 2015 at 5:45 pm

    My favorite Thanksgiving side dish is Edna Lewis’ Scalloped Turnips. The sauce is a reduction of cream seasoned with salt, pepper, cayenne and a bit of sugar. Add the sliced, steamed, (white) turnips, top with buttered bread crumbs and bake.

    Yum.

    (The source for this is a Redbook magazine from 1985. It has lots of other great recipes; we’ve used Martha Stewart’s prune and onion stuffing several times. )

  65. 65.

    PurpleGirl

    November 25, 2015 at 5:49 pm

    Happy Thanksgiving to all. Enjoy your good friends/family and good food.

  66. 66.

    SiubhanDuinne

    November 25, 2015 at 5:53 pm

    @Warren Terra:

    John put up a photo of this year’s Presidential turkey pardoning on his (John’s) FB page. He said the girls were blinking “Save Me” in Morse Code with their eyelids, like POWs.

    LOL.

  67. 67.

    NotMax

    November 25, 2015 at 5:54 pm

    Must remember to taste test the dusty bottle of Grand Marnier before adding during T-Day cooking.

    In fact several tests may be necessary, if only to be on the safe side.

    :)

  68. 68.

    SiubhanDuinne

    November 25, 2015 at 5:55 pm

    @NotMax:

    One can never be too sure.

  69. 69.

    Satby

    November 25, 2015 at 5:57 pm

    Great post Betty. No matter what, we should enjoy friends and family when we can, we never know when it may be the last time. As I’m Irish, we don’t think that’s morbid, just realistic.

    Just my two exchange daughters and me tomorrow, just had a last minute invite from a rescue friend that I declined because my halal turkey is thawed and ready to go tomorrow. We’re also having cornbread dressing with dried cranberries, scalloped potatoes, spinach salad, and brownie sundaes for dessert. I feel like I need another vegetable in there but I don’t know what.

  70. 70.

    Tenar Darell

    November 25, 2015 at 5:59 pm

    I frequently have to explain I am too busy to see friends most of this week. They’re like, why? Because I celebrate Thanksgiving & Chanukah this upcoming weekend. Plus, I hang out with my generation of cousins socially, on top of those events on the same weekend, usually on two separate occasions. Doesn’t mean we agree with each other, but family is really important to all of us. And we also like each other, mostly.

    However, this Oatmeal cartoon is hella funny.

  71. 71.

    NotMax

    November 25, 2015 at 6:04 pm

    @Satby

    Well, you could go daring by introducing them to Brussels sprouts.

    Or go safe with squash or peas.

    (As it will be solely moi tomorrow, gonna go with julienne beets (non-pickled), a fave. Yes, from a can. Buying and preparing one beet approaches the ridiculous.)

  72. 72.

    Germy

    November 25, 2015 at 6:07 pm

    humanity

  73. 73.

    Tenar Darell

    November 25, 2015 at 6:08 pm

    @PurpleGirl: happy early birthday.

  74. 74.

    Mnemosyne (tablet)

    November 25, 2015 at 6:12 pm

    @Satby:

    Green beans sautéed with a little garlic and olive oil are easy and quick to make.

  75. 75.

    JPL

    November 25, 2015 at 6:18 pm

    @Satby: You have plenty of food. An easy dish that I found on NYTimes is sliced acorn squash mixed with honey, olive oil and pepper. You cut each squash half crosswise into 2 slices, each 1-inch thick. When you cut it that way, it only takes 30 minutes to bake.

  76. 76.

    WereBear

    November 25, 2015 at 6:21 pm

    @Satby: Pish tosh. I always feel like there are far too many sides.

  77. 77.

    MaryRC

    November 25, 2015 at 6:23 pm

    @SiubhanDuinne: I thought it was a regional thing, like soda, pop or coke. I’ve always understood that it’s “dressing” in the South and “stuffing” in the North regardless of how it’s cooked.

  78. 78.

    Phylllis

    November 25, 2015 at 6:24 pm

    @NotMax: I read that and was like ‘I don’t think Grand Marnier g…oh. D’uh’. Blame it on the Jim Beam Black I’ve been lacing the eggnog with this afternoon. Yeah, that’s it.

  79. 79.

    pat

    November 25, 2015 at 6:29 pm

    Fresh turkey (not going to spend 20 minutes with my hand up a frozen turkey butt); dressing with chunks of sourdough bread and cornbread, looked interesting at the food co-op; cranberry sauce and cranberry/orange relish, steamed green beans maybe tossed with sliced baby portobella mushrooms sauteed in garlic-basil butter. Neighbor brings the pumpkin pie.

    The cold I thought I was coming down with the last three days seems to have given up. Yay.

    edit: and of course the obligatory potatoes and gravy.

  80. 80.

    Zinsky

    November 25, 2015 at 6:45 pm

    I’d like to eat at your table, Betty.

  81. 81.

    Denali

    November 25, 2015 at 6:51 pm

    Thanks for the
    Thanksgiving story, Betty

  82. 82.

    gogol's wife

    November 25, 2015 at 6:58 pm

    @Germy:

    A Jim Jones reference?

  83. 83.

    Amir Khalid

    November 25, 2015 at 6:59 pm

    May all my American friends who celebrate this Thanksgiving always have much to celebrate.

  84. 84.

    Satby

    November 25, 2015 at 7:48 pm

    @Amir Khalid: From all of us, thanks Amir.

  85. 85.

    Satby

    November 25, 2015 at 7:50 pm

    @WereBear: @JPL: LOL, I probably do have more than enough. About half will go straight into the freezer so the girls don’t expire from turkey toxicity after a few days of leftovers.

  86. 86.

    SIA

    November 25, 2015 at 7:53 pm

    @Amir Khalid: thank you!

  87. 87.

    Baud

    November 25, 2015 at 7:55 pm

    @Amir Khalid:

    We’re thankful for Malaysian friends.

    And hoping to be thankful at this time next year.

  88. 88.

    CaseyL

    November 25, 2015 at 8:09 pm

    Wonderful T-Day story, Betty; thanks for sharing! And the drop-jawed squirrel photo is a hoot.

    One year long ago, when I was the only one visiting Mom for the holiday (my brother was out of town and my grandparents were also traveling) Mom decided she didn’t feel like cooking for the day at all. So we went out to a sports bar that had a seafood buffet. We laid waste to the crab and oyster kingdoms, drank a lot of whiskey sours, and watched football on giant screens. An excellent way to spend Thanksgiving!

    This will be a very busy holiday weekend for me. No local family, so I do the holiday with friends, and this year I’ll be doing it twice, Thursday and Friday, for a food coma that should last all weekend. I’m making a side dish of pasta, Italian sausage, and mushrooms – oh, so many mushrooms! Thought about throwing some bacon in, too, but decided the pigs that gave their lives for the sausages would be sufficient porcine sacrifice for the dish :)

  89. 89.

    Culture of Truth

    November 25, 2015 at 8:16 pm

    Thanks for that story. It’s true, it’s easy to focus on the wrong things.

  90. 90.

    SiubhanDuinne

    November 25, 2015 at 8:31 pm

    @Amir Khalid:

    Thank you, Amir. Is there an equivalent holiday/harvest festival in Maylasia?

  91. 91.

    SiubhanDuinne

    November 25, 2015 at 8:35 pm

    @Baud:

    We’re thankful for Maylasian friends.

    Yes indeed. Amir is a great blessing. Thankful for all friends, in the US and Canada as well as abroad in all directions.

  92. 92.

    Ben Cisco

    November 25, 2015 at 8:44 pm

    Add Americans with disabilities to the groups of people Trumpenstein is throwing under the bus to a by now familiar if not sickening rate:

    At the time of publication, Trump is leading in the polls at a solid 27.5 percent.

  93. 93.

    Amir Khalid

    November 25, 2015 at 8:47 pm

    @SiubhanDuinne:
    We already have too many religious festivals here, is what the powers that be like to say. After all the Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist and Christian holidays, there’s just no room left in our calendar for a Thanksgiving Day.

  94. 94.

    Suezboo

    November 25, 2015 at 8:49 pm

    Happy Thanksgiving to all my US friends and relatives. (in-laws, if you want to be persnickety).
    May you always have something to feel grateful about e.g family, friends, food – too many people without those. Enjoy – oh, and I thought the pie had to be pumpkin, celebrating indigenous food supplied by the Native Americans.

  95. 95.

    Amir Khalid

    November 25, 2015 at 8:53 pm

    @Ben Cisco:
    Trump has the backing of Republicans who find, in his lack of common decency, something to identify with.

  96. 96.

    Ben Cisco (onboard the Defiant)

    November 25, 2015 at 9:15 pm

    @Germy: You play at slave catching, you get made to dance the huckabuck on command. She should know that by now.

  97. 97.

    RSR

    November 25, 2015 at 9:18 pm

    Haha. We’ve got what we once called ‘crazy squirrel’ in our backyard, but now the number of them has reached four. And I think at least two are siblings due to their size and their playful tussling around together in the late summer and fall.

    Each November for the last few years, we’ve left our uncarved pumpkins out in the garden bed. Once the weather chills, they belong to the squirrel(s). Chewing into the flesh a few bites a day, a small dent is begun by the squirrel(s). Eventually, the barrier is breached, and then the real feast begins. For days, seeds are extracted, many consumed, and a few buried.

    A couple winters ago, one of our sons even found a squirrel holed up inside an empty pumpkin covered in a recent-fallen snow. I’m not sure who was more surprised, Oscar or ‘crazy squirrel.’

    I know some people call them rats with fuzzy tails, and I can understand. But having some wildlife here in an dense urban neighborhood that’s been part of European settlement for over 333 years is something I enjoy. I’m sure we have possums around (although it’s been years since I’ve seen one) and I accidentally cornered a groundhog which I mistook for a cat this past summer. Again, not sure if human or critter was more surprised.

  98. 98.

    J R in WV

    November 25, 2015 at 9:49 pm

    Merry Thanksgivings, everyone!!

    We’re at the next door neighbors, makes 4, and 7 old friends/kids/etc are down from Pittsburgh already, for 11 so far. Haven’t seem some of the PBurgh folks in years, looking forward to seeing the kids all grown up.

    They were kids here, moved away, and grew up in the big city – imagine that!

  99. 99.

    c u n d gulag

    November 26, 2015 at 10:08 am

    @PurpleGirl:
    Thanks!
    Back at ya! :-)

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