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(Michael=A0Odom) WROTE:
I have two skylights in my kitchen, and one of them doesn't leak!
That's pretty much how Thanksgiving went this year. Ups and downs mixed
in a weird blur.
It began Wednesday night when I set the thawed turkey into a cooler with
ice. I'd made a brine according to Stephan Pyles' recipe, but it was
still hot, so we went out to eat dinner while it cooled.
An hour or two later, I opened the cooler only to discover that the dog
had begun the holiday feast a day early. She'd eaten about 1/4 of the
bird. Bad. Bad dog. Bad and ugly turkey. =A0 Modom's mood was't very
pretty either.
I hacked off the dog-fouled bits -- both wings, part of a thigh, most of
the back on one side. I considered, but decided against hacking up the
dog, as well. (She spent the night in doggy jail, though.) I poured the
brine over the bird and set it outside in an elevated position to deter
further mammalian incursions. A freeze was forecast for the night, so
further spoilage was out unless a possum or some such got hold of it..
We had a houseful coming for the feast, so D ran out and bought a turkey
breast and I made a rub for two slabs of baby back ribs.
Next day I fired up my smoker pit and set the ribs on about 11 a.m. The
turkey went out an hour later. I'd stuffed sliced lemons and fresh sage
leaves under the skin.
Guests began to arrive at 5. Snacks and relish trays and cheese and such
for a time. Dressing (bread and cornbread), potatoes in several forms,
dark roux gravy, broccoli salad, and, cranberry/orange relish, whatnot
in the kitchen. Brussels sprouts and asparagus on the gas grill out
back.
Then it was time to serve it up. A friend carved the bird. I cut up the
ribs.
And then, cutting a lemon for a garnish I got my thumb. I really got it.
Bad. Flashing on Dan Akroyd's Julia Child skit, I rushed to the bathroom
and tried to staunch the bleeding. It took some time. Bad. Ugly and bad.
A friend made a plate for me and I ate one-handed. It was good food.
Very good. Everybody liked the bird and especially the ribs. The
dressings were nicely seasoned and moist. We ate very well.
Time to clean up the mess. It was a big one, too, of course. During
cleanup the sink backed up. Bad. Ugly and bad. The good part was that my
injury got me off the hook for both cleaning and plumbing. Two guests
pulled the trap off the sink and snaked the drain till it worked again.
Bless, them. Good friends.
Good food, good, people, good atmosphere, good wine. On the whole it was
a good time. Except when it got ugly.
modom-----------------------------------------------------
RESPONSE: Seems like every diaster that can happen does on the holidays.
Our stove/oven fridge. & stove exhaust needs to be replaced few years
back but only new tenants moving in get the privileges of new
appliances. And this complex is a HUD based rental.
You don't know one day to next if oven is going to work, only one burner
on stove works.
For Christmas that"s why we are ordering a meat/cheese, fruit, & cold
side platters.