Thanksgiving has come and gone and the fridge is groaning under the load of food still in it.
Monday, WS invited Jimmy over for Thanksgiving, though he usually has several places to go on this day, this year his only choices were too far away. So instead of the small ham and mashed potatoes that I was planning on fixing for the two of us, I had to plan on at least 4 (Jimmy eats for two every day).
The small ham I had previously gotten truly was not enough to feed the three of us, so Tuesday I went to the store and got a turkey breast to make sure we had enough meat. I also decided that a pie was in order along with some dinner rolls. I had sweet potatoes and fresh cranberries already, but was unsure if I would use them.
Wednesday evening I mixed up the green bean casserole so all I would have to do is place it in the oven. I also made a chocolate pecan bourbon pie.
The big day came and while WS raked and mulched leaves, I vacuumed and did some cooking. I woke up thinking that a pumpkin pie was also needed, so I made that while the bread machine was beating up the dough for the rolls. We had 2 bananas that were very ripe, so next I made banana bread. Next the turkey breast went into the oven, then it all came down to timing.
Jimmy arrived in early afternoon and we kept him from starving to death by bringing out a shrimp ring (WS had found it for 1/2 price - nice!), cheese and crackers (WS had cut up the cheese Wednesday night) and chips with onion dip (which WS had also prepared the night before). While we were eating, we watched Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back. Jimmy has only seen the first Star Wars (okay, the 5th in the series, but the first out on the big screen). We had been itching to watch the movies again since going to the concert, so it all worked out.
About 5, I peeled potatoes and started cooking them; while they were cooking, I did up the rolls and got them and the green beans cooking. The last thing was to make up gravy (I decided against sweet potatoes or cranberries). WS cut up the turkey while I was pulling everything out of the oven and mashing the taters.
At half-time the end of the movie (which coincided nicely with the readiness of the food), we piled our plates high with food and started in on the 6th, um 3rd, oh to heck with it, Return of the Jedi. About half way thru the movie, the neighbor came over to chat for a while. After he left, we broke out the deserts which had waited patiently in the back room (everytime I went in there for something, I gained 10 pounds from the wonderful aromas) and watched the rest of the movie. Did I mention that Karen had stopped on her way to her daughter's to drop off a carrot cake? We certainly didn't lack for sweets!
The meal was declared as delicious by everyone. The movie night was a success (although we still have the next 3 movies to go). Jimmy was encouraged to come back for another night of feasting and lightening of the load on the fridge.
Hope everyone else's Thanksgiving was spent with good company and good food. Next up Black Friday and buying an exercise machine to help compensate for all the calories!
Good grief, Bogie! If we six who were congregated at WD & Dudette's had dropped in on you, we would not have gone away hungry. As it was, your sister (as usual) went all out with the traditional meal. Her one nod to constraint was in making only the chocolate pie (1100 calories per bite) instead of also making pecan - for which we thank her.
Little known fact: I had always assumed the Dudette was the traditionalist who liked to serve the traditional menu for Thanksgiving; but, it turns out that it is Wonderful GrandDaughter who "dictates" the meal. (It is always, always delicious!
I stuffed myself so much that I told HH to take me home, right after the meal, before I fell asleep. By the time we arrived home, I had recuperated and actually went to bed at 11:30. Oh, well. The younger two generations need time without us oldsters, anyway!
Glad you had/are having a great weekend. We need to find a fold in the space/time continuum that allows us to spend holidays together.
Posted by: Cop Car | November 27, 2009 at 01:33 PM
I think feeding 6 more would have been out of the question - well, I would have needed to add a few more potatos and greeen beans, but we would have been good on turkey, rolls and deserts!
Posted by: bogie | November 29, 2009 at 06:13 AM