And on to Christmas

With the leftovers shoved into the fridge, the 20th load of dishes done, the extra table and chairs folded and stashed in the garage, we left the dogs to their own devices, loaded the Littles...who aren't so little anymore, but still interested in decorating gingerbread houses...into the car and headed with Tim and Joni to Powell's candy store in Windsor, our particular Friday after Thanksgiving tradition.

It's not called Powell's anymore, having been sold by Mr Powell who apparently didn't want to sell his name as well, but is otherwise unchanged. There is a continuously running loop of Gene Wilder playing Willy Wonka in the chocolate factory on a screen in one corner. There are Christmas carols competing with Willy Wonka  and giant candy canes, stars and pinwheels overhead. There is every kind of old fashioned candy and soft drink...better remembered by those of us in our 70's than the kids...Necco wafers, chocolate Santas, fake rocks, bubble gum, yard long red vines and licorice twists and this special display of Hershey's chocolates and M&Ms...all quintessentially American confections. There is even gelato...not too appealing on this very rainy day. 

With a full bag of candy we came home to pull everything out of the fridge for lunch and have the post mortem discussion of the Big Meal. Peter said his favorite part of the Big Meal was the leftovers as he tucked into a giant plate of turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy and rolls...what Dana referred to as a 'tan meal'. OilMan tested his meat thermometer in a pot of boiling water since, once again, the turkey wasn't done when we cut into its perfectly golden brown skin after the carefully calculated temperature and time in the barbecue. 

The meat thermometer performed perfectly when tested in a pot of boiling water....I suggested that perhaps it was the placement of the thermometer into the turkey that was probably faulty. Perhaps the hourly calls with Matthew as to technique and timing threw off OilMan's own timing. Or perhaps it was the fact that it was raining and he was cooking the turkey under the big patio umbrella, deflecting the smoke into the house.  Dana said turkey should be cooked in the oven, not the barbecue. I heartily agreed . It seemed toe perfect moment to announce that we would not be cooking a turkey for Thanksgiving or any other meal ever again, but would entertain suggestions for an alternative. 

So far we have a taco bar, crab enchiladas, four roasted chickens or tamales. We have a year to come up with an alternative. I also have a fine recipe for nut roast from Blipper Freespiral which just might be my choice...

Now it's time to bring out the faro salad, the mashed potatoes and gravy, the pumpkin pie, the lemon pound cake and the ginger pear cake...again.