Observances

G'morning friends!

I'd planned to participate in the Saturday 9 (meme), but figured I had too many 'asides' to play politely.  

It sounds as if everyone really enjoyed their Thanksgiving observances.  I love to imagine each of you in your little homes or restaurants!   So, this being our first holiday in Alabama, I surprised myself by wanting to host the dinner.   (Bowing to my parents tradition, the last several years Tom's agreed to eat 'out' somewhere we might order prime rib or salmon.)

My DIL assured me, she was doing all her meal prep the day before so they wouldn't be in a rush to get home and have to prepare a whole 'nother meal!   So surprised (and pleased) when son phoned the day before, asking if we'd room at the table for 3 more.  He and Lois always try to include their friend Brad during the holidays, and I enjoyed getting to know him - and his daughter Julia - a little better.   We weren't expecting Chloe, but were delighted to see her face!  Her Johnny - an R.N. - had just concluded a shift-and-a-half (I think that's 16 hours!) and needed sleep.  Is it just me, or does it concern anyone else when nurses are worked so many hours to the point of exhaustion?

  (l-r Brad, Chloe, son Troy, Julia & Lois)

Uncharacteristically, Tom was stressing about the fried turkey being large enough to feed everyone.   I suggested we just stop by Food Outlet and throw a Mississippi Pot Roast in the slow cooker Thursday morning.  Unfortunately, I didn't realize the roast he bought weighed in at 4-1/2 lbs. … and didn't recall the directions being 8 hours on low.  (For the record, amending the cooking time to 5 hours on high isn't such a great idea.)   

Then he began to get cranky about sharing oven time with the appetizers.   (If we ever do this again, I'm investing in an electric roaster!)  Thank goodness, I'd the presence of mind to postpone making sausage bread!   

Funny.  I suggested he go sit down with a Bloody Mary while I prepped the spinach and sausage mix.   Except I'd forgotten to let the cream cheese warm.  No worries, I'll thaw it in the microwave.  (Did you know cream cheese can explode in a microwave?  Yes, really.)   

I don't think we'll be doing a fried turkey again.  It may have been the rub they used, but the skin was awfully salty and it wasn't nearly moist as we'd hoped.

Tom remarked, "It looks as if someone set it out in the rain and it rusted."   Poor little Gracie looked up at the counter and began barking hysterically … scared to death.

Despite appearances, hey, it was all good.   (At least everyone said so.)   I only regret not getting more photos.  Not sure why, but Chloe doesn't enjoy having her picture made -- and I didn't want her annoyed at her g'ma.  (Sure, I'm biased.  But if I looked like her, I'd probably be the Queen of Selfies.  LOL!)   Does anyone else think she bears a striking resemblance to Courtney of ABC's The Bachelor?

Chloe (left) v. Courtney Robertson (right)

Well, I've prattled on long enough!  Tom's in the kitchen preparing our favorite dip (Jimmy Dean sausage, RoTel and cream cheese), and I've cheesy grits in the crock pot.   It looks like a junky food-Iron Bowl sort of day.   (Our team is heavily favored to lose, but miracles can - and do - happen!)

Be safe out there … War Eagle!

Hugs,

Myra