November 25, 2008

• 48 Hours From Now

  Will I really be serving a meal and putting the finishing touches on it 48 hours from now?  I guess so. 

  I checked on the turkey this morning to see how the thawing process is coming along.  I would say, “Not very well.”  I bought it on Friday afternoon and was thinking there should be a bit more squishy feel to the poke test!

  THE *BIG* TURKEY!!!
  
  Because of its “hugeness” . . . I may have to help it along by taking it out of the frig a bit each day.  Our garage is cool, so I don’t think I’ll be creating any salmonella if I take it out of the frig here and there!

  It weighs almost 23 pounds!
  
  When I bought it, I stored it on the rack under my grocery cart.  I lifted it for the cashier to scan and put it back on the cart’s rack.  I lifted it again to put in the car, and I lifted it once more to place in the refrigerator.  I had some major chest pains on Saturday which culminated to a really big chest pain on Sunday.  My ribs felt broken and bruised.  That’s when I remembered picking up 23 pounds of dead weight!

  I can’t wait to make the sweet potatoes.  I will just cut them and put glaze and marshmallows over them this year.  We haven’t had them that way in a long time.  I’ve mashed them with orange juice & butter.  I’ve mashed them with orange juice AND added pineapple tidbits.  Last year I think I made sweet potatoes with a pecan and brown sugar crust.  No one liked it because they thought it was *too* sweet. 

  So, this year, I’ll let the sweet potatoes shine all by themselves!
   
  

  The croutons for the stuffing are patiently waiting in their bags.  As I recall, from the past, two bags is too much.  I may only make a bag & a half.  Stuffing doesn’t go over as well as other items.  I put raisins and fresh apple pieces in mine – a stuffing recipe I’ve eaten ever since I was a little girl.
  
  

  I keep cranberry sauce on hand, always.  Some cans are with whole berries and some are jellied.  Either way, I think I have plenty in our pantry!!!
   
  And I spy some fruit cocktail to make Auntie Louise’s Pink Goo.

  To make WHAT?

  “Auntie Louise’s Pink Goo” is simple and usually goes over well with most everyone.  My friend, Louise, made it years ago when Stephanie was a baby.  She wanted to be Stephanie’s “aunt” and that’s how her name came to be.  She brought it to a dinner I had at my house.  Stephanie’s dad (with his less than tactful mouth and personality) said, “What’s this pink goo?”  I explained *Louise* had been nice enough to bring it . . . all the while dying of embarrassment at his comment.  From then on, it has been ceremoniously called, “Auntie Louise’s Pink Goo.”

  Just a bit of recipe history, there!

  The Recipe:  Gently mix small package of cherry jello with a container of Cool Whip.  Drain fruit cocktail and gently stir in fruit and one small carton of cottage cheese.  Chill for several hours.  Voila!  Pink Goo!

  I also have more than enough cans of pumpkin for pies.  I make mine more spicy than the ones you buy.
  
  

  And our menu?  That’s one of the few things I accomplished from yesterday’s “To Do” list!

  Turkey
  Stuffing
  Corn
  Green Bean Casserole (Stephanie will bring)
  Glazed Sweet Potatoes
  Mashed White Potatoes
  Auntie Louise’s Pink Goo
  Waldorf Salad
  Cranberry Sauce
  Hawaiian Sweet Dinner Rolls
  Pumpkin Pie

  Believe it or not, that will only provide leftovers for 2 more meals.  We’re some big eaters around here!

  And here is a picture of some of “Them Who Eat”
  
  

  And, yet, one more “Them Who Eat”
  
  I’m really enjoying taking these early morning pictures, because they look like sweet and cuddly little girls!

  I did barely anything on yesterday’s “To Do” list.  Instead I ordered books for Rissy from different sources.  I think she will be an avid reader.  She’s zipping through Pathway’s textbooks for reading.  I had her read some A Beka book samples online.  Looks like she’s close to a third grade level, right now.  I can’t shop without them, so I did my shopping online and found some used A Beka books through Amazon.com and two new books for me from the same place.  Then I mailed an order to Pathway’s Bookstore for books that should be in her reading range.  If not, she will be there soon.  She reads every night and sometimes curls up during the day to read.  Also, I ordered a snow globe from The San Francisco Music Box, Co. for Rissy’s February birthday.  An, “I Love Luci” globe for half price.  She loves those shows!

  We finished our Science book yesterday.  That means 4 books behind us and 3 new textbooks for history & geography, science, and health.  BUT, I decided to introduce those the first of January.  Instead, I have a book called,  “What Your First Grader Needs to Know.”  I flipped through it last night and think it will be perfect for the next few weeks.  It has stories, poems, history & geography facts, math facts and explanations, famous art, and even a section on music.  I think I’ll pick from that over the next few weeks and just give a page, here and there in math to keep their memory up.  Lots easier for me and probably a good change for them, as well.

  I think I’m kicking back these few days (yesterday and today) because I know my “cooking full speed ahead” mode will be needed, starting tomorrow, as I prepare pies and mix dressing the night before our feast. 

  Be blessed   ~
   
  
   

  • 10:58 am
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