November 1997. Our first Thanksgiving in Arizona, We invited friends from San Diego that we had not seen for several months. In order to spend time with them rather than cooking, I bought a Thanksgiving package from Trader Joe’s that included stuffing, vegetables, potatoes, gravy. and cranberry sauce,
My main man was responsible for brining the turkey and roasting it on the outdoor gas grill. I made a couple of pies. Our friends brought sweet tamales from San Diego.
The turkey is done. Everything is set out buffet style on the long counter. The table has a festive tablecloth. The wine is breathing. We each take our plates and load up. I was the last. As I passed a chair my t-shirt sleeve caught the decorative spindle and caused my plate to leap into the air. Unbelievably, the plate landed upside down at my designated place at the table. Amongst general gasps, I picked up my plate and found that I had created a mirror image of my plate on the place mat; no foods mashed together, no cranberry sauce sprayed onto everything else. I literally could have eaten my meal off the place mat. (I didn’t)
So that year I was grateful for friends, laughter and good food.
This year the feast is smaller, just my Favorite #2 daughter and one of her co-workers. Nevertheless, I am an over-achiever cook. The menu included Hors d’ oeuvres (Cranberry Sangria, Pecans, Pickled Asparagus, Pickled Green Beans, Celery, Radishes, Cheddar and Gouda Baby Bels, Crackers, and Salami) followed by Turkey Breast, Stuffing, Grean Bean Casserole, Praline Yams, home-made Cranberry Sauce, Yeast rolls and gravy. Dessert was scratch pumpkin pie and, a family tradition, French Silk Chocolate pie with fresh whipped cream.
I used an immersion blender to ensure that the pumpkin custard was fully mixed. As I am cleaning up the kitchen, I think it will be a good idea to clean the blender blades by running it in the soap and water filled sink. This was not an all together bad plan but I did forget that I had a plastic twisted scrubber which the blender immediately found under the soap and wrapped it around the blade. My first thought was that now I knew what I would like for Christmas. I spent several minutes cutting and unwinding pieces of purple plastic; somewhat like removing hair wound around the vacuum cleaner bar. Good news/Bad news: I don’t need a replacement blender but I will have to think of another possible Christmas gift.
This Thanksgiving I am grateful for family, laughter, and good food,