~ On the Seventh Day of Thanksgiving! ~

~ My BLOG Page ~ Number Fifteen ~
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~ Tuesday, November 24, 2009 ~
~ Noodle Day! ~

~ More Like Turkey Noodle Soup than Turkey and Noodles ~
But it tastes about the same... This time I had so much turkey stock I used that instead of gravy... So it is not so thick and a little soupy but still yummy, Oh Yeah!

So first thing after chat and clean-up and some cranberry sauce on a buttered biscuit... I headed up to the Price Chopper for some noodles and a Bingo and Crossword scratch and some chocolate covered peanuts and a can of Spanish peanuts... Yeah...

So then, talking to Herr Wulle (Sigi) on an IM.. I says "I AM BORED AND GOING TO THE CASINO... NOW!"... So back by the ATM for a couple twenties and then to the Argosy... Not too long and I hit a pretty fair roll and cashed out for $62.50.. a profit of $22.50.. why be greedy?

So, back to the ranch to dice some more turkey, onions, celery and green pepper and hot up the turkey stock.. Now that is simmering away for cooling off and storing... as I have so many other goodies taking up room in the fridge now...

Then.. my afternoon libation and off to the TV and later.. a full course Turkey Day dinner again

~ After Dinner Summary ~

So, how was the full turkey dinner? As I said on the first sample, the turkey was extra good with the brining... The gravy was good... And the sweet potatoes were about usual, sweet and spicy with an additional touch of orange... The cranberry sauce was tastier than usual and I had done nothing extra... But the dressing fell short, too salty and a bit too much garlic.. Oh Well... But as I said on the first try, the pumpkin pie was OK but not remarkable... So now the Official T-Day is pretty much over for me.. Now it's finishing off all those leftovers, hopefully before Christmas...
~ And... How Sweet That Episode Was! ~


~ Monday, November 23, 2009 ~
~ Turkey Day Yesterday? ~

~ Yeah, a Week of Turkey Now! ~
Yes, turkey day... All day... I hefted that bird out of the brine, rinsed it off, dried with paper towels and then slathered with melted butter and into a 450 degree oven for 30 minutes, then lowered the temperature to 350 degrees and let it roast for another 3 and 1/2 hours... They say 325 degrees but I think my oven runs a little cool... Then while the bird was in the oven I finished preparing the dressing, dicing the celery, onions and garlic, sauteing that in butter, adding the chicken broth and then adding that and mixing it into the dressing, then into a large Pyrex dish and then waiting for it's turn in the oven...

And they say you do not have to roast a turkey as long if you brine the bird so I might have left it in a bit too long... But it came out with tasty crispy skin and the meat falling apart tender and juicy, not dry at all...

So I let the turkey cool while I roasted the dressing for 30 minutes or so... Looks great but I didn't even sample it... yet... Then I set about dismembering and carving the turkey meat... Some pieces just falling apart, so juicy and moist and tender... And tasty as I sampled a little piece now and then... Then I piled a plate with some choice morsels and had a sample with a glass of red wine... Just the turkey, I will have a complete dinner with all the accessories maybe later today...

Then I finished the task of storing the rest in the fridge and freezer and then put the bones and carcass in a pot to simmer down for some turkey noodles later.. Maybe do that today... After that I made gravy from the drippings... And then finished the day with a bowl of chocolate chip Ice Cream and off to dreamland... A very successful Turkey Day...


~ And Now... What's on the Agenda?... Christmas? ~


~ Sunday, November 22, 2009 ~
~ Turkey in the Brine! ~

~ To Brine or Not to Brine ~ That is the Question? ~
They say NOT to brine a pre-basted turkey but I did last year and it seems to work OK, was more tasty than usual... A pre-basted turkey has been injected with a sugar/salt solution so shouldn't need more seasoning but I am doing it anyway, but with less salt and brown sugar, maybe half...

So, I tried some of my Cranberry sauce with buttered toast and it was excellent, but how can you miss? So easy to do... Then Friday I had a piece of my first pumpkin pie of the season and thought it was just so so... But later BJ came over to use the computer, I gave him a piece and he said it was EXCELLENT!.. But then, he just may be looking fo a second piece... I haven't tried the sweet potatoes yet but they smell luscious... cinnamon, cloves and orange.. yeah

So... What did I do around here yesterday? It is getting to the point that I can't even remember what I had for dinner last night... Anyway, I started on this blog yesterday, chatted with Can for while... then started on the long boring day... Well, not too boring... Didn't want to go to the Casino anyway, even if I had the money...

So, I did my clean-up, had a piece of punkin pie with Cool Whip and headed up to the Chopper for some more goodies... Then just whiled away the day until time to put the birdy in the brine... Brine was two gallons of water, a cup of Kosher salt and a cup of brown sugar and a heaping TBSP of poultry seasoning... Now that should be ready to pull out of the fridge sometime this morning and into the oven and then start on the dressing... I fished out the giblets last night and simmered them for stock and to dice up into the dressing...

And.. Oh yeah... Busy answering that email from the guy that likes my Vesper Page... I sent his email to my Cousin who wrote the book, and Cousin Harold sent a nice long email back amswering his question and sent a copy to me... Then I added the email to my Famous Guests Page... (are YOU on my Guest Page yet?) And then I added it to the Vesper Page... Then on to the day...
~ And then... Maybe the First Turkey dinner Today... Four Days Ahead! ~


~ Saturday November 21, 2009 ~
~ Turkey Day... One Day Closer ~

~ Candied Sweet Potatoes ~
OK.. I cheated this time... I usually start with fresh sweet potatoes but 'Bruce's Canned Yams' were on such a good sale this year.. and I didn't have to peel and parboil them... So I just mixed up a syrup of orange juice, brown sugar, cinnamon and ground cloves... and into the oven a little while.. Presto! Candied Sweet Potatos! And BJ (neighbor) was here and said "With Marshmallows".. Nope.. Mom did that but I prefer to leave them off... Plenty sweet as they are...


~ Sweet Potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) ~ African Yams (Dioscoreaceae)
And every year about this time.. as picky as I am about words.. I don't like to hear Sweet Potatoes called Yams... So here's a Botany lesson...

Several decades ago when orange flesh sweet potatoes were introduced in the southern United States, producers and shippers desired to distinguish them from the more traditional white flesh types. The African word "nyami" referring to the starchy, edible root of the Dioscorea genus of plants was adopted in its English form, "yam". Yams in the U.S. are actually sweet potatoes with relatively moist texture and orange flesh. Although the terms are generally used interchangeably, the U.S. Department of Agriculture requires that the label "yam" always be accompanied by "sweet potato."

~ Yeah... Check What it Says on the Can! ~


~ Friday November 20, 2009 ~ ADDENDUM ~
~ HOLIDAY FAVORITE MAY NOT BE ON THE TABLE! ~

~ A Key Ingredient for Pumpkin Pie is in Short Supply this Season! ~
BULLETIN: Nestle -- which sells nearly all the canned pumpkin in the U.S. -- says poor weather hurt its harvest, creating a potential shortage of its Libby's pumpkin pie products through the holidays...

The company said heavy rains made it nearly impossible to pick its pumpkins during this year's harvest. The longer the pumpkins sit in the muddy fields, the more they deteriorate. As a result, the company announced this week that it would not pack any more pumpkins for the season -- which means it may be hard to find its canned pumpkin and pumpkin pie filling product until next year's harvest

"Mother Nature had other plans for us," the company said in an open apology to customers online.

~ HEY! I GOT MY PIE BAKED AND READY! ~


~ Friday November 20, 2009 ~
~ Turkey Day... Still Next Thursday ~

~ Pumpkin Pie Today ~
AND.. Moving right along... Got out my pie makings and jumped right in... Got that BIG can of Libby's Pumpkin, enough for two pies... And used their famous time tested recipe... Not fancied up, just original good old Pumpkin Pie, like Gandma used to make... And Libby's canned pumpkin is raised especially for pies and hard to beat... and the recipe is pretty easy at that, didn't even have to use my stand mixer...

Last year I made pie from the pumpkin that the Nature Sanctuary gave me.. . It was what they call a field pumpkin and fine for Jack-O-Lanterns but not the best for a pie... But I spiced it up and it wasn't too bad at that... The texture was a little different too... Back when I had my large garden, I grew what was called 'Spirit' Pumpkin and pretty good as a pie pumpkin and sold as such... Not quite as deep orange as the Libby's pumpkin is but naturally sweet and tasty...

I mixed up the whole batch for two pies but only baked one, holding the mix for another pie when this one is gone.. I will have pie for two weeks now.. easy... So... On with the progress to Thanksgiving day...

~ Yeah... Now That is Good! ~


~ Thursday November 19, 2009 ~
~ Turkey Day... Next Thursday ~

~ Fresh Cranberry Sauce ~
A week til the Official Turkey Day but as usual I am way ahead... This stuff all tastes good whether it is T-Day or not... That jelled cranberry sauce in the can... just won't do.. In a pinch I have used the Whole Berry canned sauce... But there isn't quite the taste of a package of fresh cranberries, sauced up in the pan.. And it is so easy!... One cup of water and one cup of sugar and then simmer and watch the berries pop.. Then in the fridge to chill... and then, that stuff is really good on a buttered biscuit or buttered toast... And then on T-Day (or when I do roast the birdie) along side of turkey and dressing...

~ Yeah... How Good That Is! ~


~ Wednesday November 18, 2009 ~
~ Turkey Day... On the Way! ~

~ First a Trip to the Price Chopper ~
Shine on, shine on harvest moon up in the sky
I ain't had no lovin' since January, February, June, or July
Snow time ain't no time to sit outdoors and spoon
So.. shine on, shine on harvest moon,,, for me 'n' my gal

Well you might know that I don't just celebrate on THE DAY... I start as soon as the sales hit for T-Day.. and WOW.. Turkey at 40 cents a pound... 12 pounder was $4.56! Best price in years as I can remember

And as soon as I saw that price, I headed to the Price Chopper and picked up all the goodies I need.. I think... And most ALL was on a good sale... Now let the bird thaw for maybe three days, brine overnight in the fridge and roast on whatever day that is... Maybe Sunday... And then have turkey dinners clear through the week.. NAH.... I don't get tired of turkey... and then there are the turkey noodles from the odds and ends...

On to the Festivities!

~ Waiting Now... for the Turkey to Thaw ~


~ Tuesday, November 17, 2009 ~
~ When Did I buy this Cactus?

~ Well, the Photo Says April 2008 ~
Can you believe? As boring as this page is.. I actually got a complaint yesterday that I had not posted a BLOG for that day... Well, hard enough to find something worth talking about here now and then, much less every day...

So anyway, I dug up the subject of my Oregano trying to survive and decided to do a catch-up on my little cactus today... And it grows so slow that it's hard to see if it's going anywhere but it does look a bit bigger now... I guess I bought it in April of 2008 so it's about a year and a half old now... Left it outside all summer, but it spent the winter inside and I never took it back out his year... Hardly needs any attention, I put a cup of water on it whenever I think of it and that isn't often.. and I did give it a little drink of Miracle-Gro a couple times

I bought a tiny saguaro cactus in Phoenix one year and it grew from about 4 inches tall to just over a foot, when it was stored over the winter and not watered for over a year... When I got back I did water it and it started to revive, then just gave up the ghost because of too much water too soon... Oh well, It lasted about 10 years... Wonder how long this one will go?
~ We Shall See... Or Shall We Not? ~


~ Monday November 16, 2009 ~
~ IT'S ALIVE?

~ Just Might Give it another Chance ~
Well now, I was going to toss the oregano pot out on the veranda for the winter, but lookee there!.. a new leaf and a few more tiny ones coming on... So, if it is still hanging on, I'll give it a chance and see what happens... No idea what happened all of a sudden anyway, looked like it was OK... Unless it was lack of water, I don't think it was that shot of Miracle-Gro... Bye the bye, maybe I better water it some now...


~ Never Say Die... If You Can Still Talk! ~



~ Saturday November 14, 2009 ~
~ Friday the Thirteenth?~

~Survived That One in Good Shape! ~
Friday the Thirteenth... Bad Luck Day! Run for the hills, hide under the bed? Well I took a $10 winner Crossword scratcher to Kicks 66 to trade for a Bingo and Crossword... Had $12 in my pocket and that $10 winner... Stopped to give Bob, my mechanic friend the $12 for my auto inspection sticker and picked up my cards at Kicks.. Back to the ranch...

Then to scratch off another nice $10 Crossword winner... $4 profit... Back to the Fast Stop to trade that for another Bingo and Crossword and back to the Ranch..

Now I scratched of a nicer $20 Bingo winner for a $14 profit and headed for the Price Chopper to cash that and get another Bingo and Crossword... And back home to scratch off a $6 Crossword winner... even up on that one... So look at the run of bad luck for me on the thirteenth...

Now this morning, have to trade that $6 winner Crossword for another Bingo and Crossword and buy a Power Ball ticket too... And some extra $18 bucks in my pocket too...

Oh bye the bye... That card above was a real nice earlier winner.. $50 is a Great Win!
~ Remember the Alamo! ~


~ Thursday November 12, 2009 ~
~ Veteran's Day ~

~Randolph AFB, San Antonio, Texas ~
Yes, I was a Veteran... of the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War 1950 to 1954

Veteran's Day and I forgot to put my Flag Out! But, I noticed earlier the flags were out on Main Street downtown but I couldn't think at the moment why... Well it was Veteran's Day, sort of a non-observed day by most except a parade here and there maybe... A bigger turn-out for Halloween which isn't even a holiday anyway... And I'm not sure if Veteran's day is a National Holiday as many do not get the day off, I can't remember of we did when I was working for IBM...

So, later in the day somehow I did remember but at that time of day, themoment had passed to disolpay the flag... So now let's see when next? Well I usually do that att eh unofficial start of summer... Memorial Day... And that day honors about the same gtoup as does Veteran's Day...


~ Remember the Alamo! ~


~ Tuesday November 10, 2009 ~ Addendum ~
~ The Trees in November 2009 ~

~ Ain't Them Pretty Trees! ~
Well, prettier a few days ago but I was waiting for more color.. But now the leaves are falling fast... so thought I should catch them before they are all gone...

Interesting how the trees do not color up the same every year, as to the time they start and the extent of the coloring before the leaves all fall... But that is Mother Nature working her seasonal palette... So we can just watch and enjoy... What, where and when we can...


~ Time Marches On! ~


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