Saturday, December 24, 2005
Saturday Dec. 24, 2005 Year 3, Day 278 - stuffing turkey
0C/32F, clear, sun rising . . . it looks like we are going to have a ‘brown Christmas’; the neighbourhood is quiet except for dog walkers
most days I write what is in my belly more than what is on my mind, today I'm lost in the past
I am remembering Christmases past [more Cratchett-like than Scroogly]; the humblest have been some of the best, some ‘end of relationship’ times were strange indeed – but some of the best memories are of driving meals-on-wheels on Christmas mornings with my kids, taking a few minutes to brighten the day of someone whose days were pretty dim indeed. I am remembering trips away vs. staying home. Home ones were best.
company is coming . . we are doing our Christmas family dinner here today . . so tic toc . .
my perfect Christmas eve turkey stuffing recipe:
drink coffee, read papers, turn on oven, publish musings, make stuffing [sauté chopped giblets in butter along with chopped fresh sage, chopped red onion, chopped celery, sliced water chestnuts, add cajun spices liberally, lots of fresh ground pepper, crushed rock salt – the mix in a large pot with chopped dry bread & crumbs, stir around, pour in ¼ pound melted butter . . stir, crunch & mash with hands till condensed & ready for installation], stuff turkey neck & chest cavities, drape bacon strips all over the breast & the exposed stuffing in the chest cavity, liberally dust bird with cracked pepper, cajun spice mix, spray lightly with cooking oil to hold in place, put turkey in oven, put extra stuffing in casserole dish, bath dog, put camera batteries in charger, wrap gifts, vacuum, shave, shower, get dressed, pick up things I forgot, pick up my dad, wait for Carla & Krista & Brad to arrive, baste turkey, pour some drippings on casserole dish of stuffing & put it in the oven, take out crackling bacon for everyone to nibble on, rip gifts open, baste turkey several times, serve drinks & snacks, talk, talk, talk, cook potatoes & veggies, carve turkey, make creamy spicy gravy from drippings . . eat & talk & rip gifts open, talk & talk & talk a lot, hugs & hugs & hugs . . wait 365 days . . repeat
having a birthday so close to Christmas is part blessing/part curse; double presents but a special day can be dwarfed by the enormous occasion to follow; many more happy ones to you MW
lots of friends checking in . . CB is off to Smithers – we are speculating on whether he will pop the question – her answer should take 1 . . maybe 2 seconds . .stay tuned !
drive safely, drink safely, eat safely & have a wonderful Chistmas Eve . . I sure will
Mark
most days I write what is in my belly more than what is on my mind, today I'm lost in the past
I am remembering Christmases past [more Cratchett-like than Scroogly]; the humblest have been some of the best, some ‘end of relationship’ times were strange indeed – but some of the best memories are of driving meals-on-wheels on Christmas mornings with my kids, taking a few minutes to brighten the day of someone whose days were pretty dim indeed. I am remembering trips away vs. staying home. Home ones were best.
company is coming . . we are doing our Christmas family dinner here today . . so tic toc . .
my perfect Christmas eve turkey stuffing recipe:
drink coffee, read papers, turn on oven, publish musings, make stuffing [sauté chopped giblets in butter along with chopped fresh sage, chopped red onion, chopped celery, sliced water chestnuts, add cajun spices liberally, lots of fresh ground pepper, crushed rock salt – the mix in a large pot with chopped dry bread & crumbs, stir around, pour in ¼ pound melted butter . . stir, crunch & mash with hands till condensed & ready for installation], stuff turkey neck & chest cavities, drape bacon strips all over the breast & the exposed stuffing in the chest cavity, liberally dust bird with cracked pepper, cajun spice mix, spray lightly with cooking oil to hold in place, put turkey in oven, put extra stuffing in casserole dish, bath dog, put camera batteries in charger, wrap gifts, vacuum, shave, shower, get dressed, pick up things I forgot, pick up my dad, wait for Carla & Krista & Brad to arrive, baste turkey, pour some drippings on casserole dish of stuffing & put it in the oven, take out crackling bacon for everyone to nibble on, rip gifts open, baste turkey several times, serve drinks & snacks, talk, talk, talk, cook potatoes & veggies, carve turkey, make creamy spicy gravy from drippings . . eat & talk & rip gifts open, talk & talk & talk a lot, hugs & hugs & hugs . . wait 365 days . . repeat
having a birthday so close to Christmas is part blessing/part curse; double presents but a special day can be dwarfed by the enormous occasion to follow; many more happy ones to you MW
lots of friends checking in . . CB is off to Smithers – we are speculating on whether he will pop the question – her answer should take 1 . . maybe 2 seconds . .stay tuned !
drive safely, drink safely, eat safely & have a wonderful Chistmas Eve . . I sure will
Mark
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