Giving Thanks

Thursday morning, activity in the kitchen really picked up. Valerie and I were busy checking on the progress of the thawing of the turkey, the presence of ingredients for various side dishes, and just catching up on things. The turkey was nearly ready but there was an outstanding question: open pan or closed roaster. Being most familiar with the closed roaster technique, we opted for that safer route. (I know, some of you are probably asking yourself, "He went with the closed roaster again? Doesn't he remember last year?! Safer, I think not!") We also recognized that the basting apparatus was not to be seen; I'm pretty sure I had a brush but we couldn't find it. It gave us an excuse to walk over to the store to pick one up. When we got back the cooking proceeded and Patrick was soon up and helping as well.

We turned on the television to catch some of the Macy's parade. We were all soon giving thanks that we were not in New York to see that parade. We were also thankful that we were not the agent of the guy that was out interviewing people in that rain; that guy did nothing to secure the position for next year.

During the first hours of the turkey roast, we sat down to play a several quick dice games. First, we taught Patrick Perudo, a bluffing (not lying) dice game that legend claims was brought back from the last Inca emperor of Peru by conquistador Francisco Pizarro. Easy to learn and entertaining to play, it's become a family favorite.

Patrick and Val then taught me a dice game they call Farples. This game is only a little more complicated and subject to major swings in momentum. We played several games during the course of the day.

As the turkey headed into the final hour, we set the games aside and got the side dishes poised to take over the oven once the bird was gone. Valerie did mashed potatoes and the everpresent green bean casserole (with the French's onion ring things on the top) while Patrick prepared the cranberry sauce and an excellent turkey gravy. (Technically, Patrick started the gravy after the bird was done but I needed to give credit.) I was mostly in the way taking pictures for this blog.

Dinner met or exceeded all expectations for flavor and volume; nobody backed away from the table hungry. We pretty well all agreed that there was room for improvement in the area of presentation but we could live with that shortcoming this year. I'll be working on that in the coming year.

After dinner, there were the required naps of varying duration and intensity. We checked on the football action long enough to see the Lions were once again fine hosts to the Miami Dolphins. Obligatory rituals completed, we returned to the table to play Settlers of Cataan and, totally out of character, Valerie won! Before tempting fate further, we turned to a few more rounds with the dice.

Patrick had to work Friday morning so I bid them safe travel and Thanksgiving was officially fulfilled. I did reflect a while on the many things I have to be thankful for, not the least of which has been this blog. It's allowed me to stay in touch with you in a way I'd not done before. I'm sorry I didn't get to talk with each of you directly yet but should be in touch before long.