Giving Thanks

Thanks goodness all the 'Doctor Who' reruns and specials ended last Sunday night.  Now I have time to run off and see 'Catching Fire'.  Or I could if I was not preparing Thanksgiving dinner.

I am doing quite well in that department.  My potato gratin and sweet potatoes are made and only have to be reheated tomorrow.  I used two quarts of my homemade chicken stock to make six cups of homemade turkey stock.  I sure hope this turkey gravy is worth the effort.

And speaking of turkey, today I will 'deconstruct' the bird.  I've sharpened my knives and meat cleaver.  I am all set to take the bird apart for cooking.  The stuffing is prepared and waiting to hit the oven.

My chocolate chiffon cakes are made and today I will prepare the Swiss buttercream frosting.  I think I will wait until tomorrow morning to put the Black Forest torte together so that the whipped cream frosting doesn't turn color.  But I will bake my pumpkin mascarpone pies today.

I hope everyone is hungry and hasn't binged this evening on filling foods.  I've read that Wednesday night is big business for bars and pizza joints offering carry-out.

And if you think my preparations involve a lot of work, remember that I do not think of it as 'work'.  It is something I love to do.  It is my way of saying 'thanks' to my family for just being who they are.

I have only once taken my family out to eat on Thanksgiving.  I do not remember why I had opted not to cook that year.  What I do remember is that I had food-poisoning, contracted the previous Sunday at a local restaurant, and was just miserable.  I was admitted to the hospital on Friday with severe dehydration.  Turns out I was infected with a bad case of campylobacter. 

I guess that in itself gives me not so pleasant memories of eating out.  That and the high cost with no leftovers to show for it.  Plus, being at home I get to spend the day enjoying their company without a bunch of strangers chattering and moving about.

So, before I hit the kitchen to start today's prep, let me wish all of my American friends a wonderful Thanksgiving.  And to those of you who are celebrating both Thanksgiving and Hanukkah, a Happy Hanukkah.  To the rest of you, 'Thanks' for being a reader, a follower, or just an occasional visitor.  I hope your days are filled with many reasons to give 'Thanks'.

 

Happy Thanksgiving!