It's Thanksgiving morning and I'm already busy cooking the meal that will take hours and hours to prepare, and minutes to scarf down. But that's no reason to make it simpler, no! Let's add extra steps! This year I've brined my turkey for 24 hours--we'll see if it actually makes a difference. I've made apple, pumpkin and pecan pies, even though there will only be eight of us at table. It's more than a little crazy.This year I feel both more thankful than usual and less conviction that I need an excessive meal to demonstrate it. But I do always enjoy the day, as a holiday of reflection (and hard work in the kitchen). And to assuage my guilt about the gluttony, I've packed a big bag of non-perishable food for the local food bank, which I've noticed has longer lines in front of it lately.
Last night I stayed up later than usual to finish Purple Hibiscus, by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and, as predicted, wiped away a tear. It's a coming of age story, more personal and less sweeping than her later book, Half of a Yellow Sun
, but also benefitting from the rich setting of Nigeria during a time of turmoil. Maybe when I'm done cooking I'll have a chance to write a review...Happy Thanksgiving to all, and hope you all get a little extra reading time in!
You've inspired me to find some time in the craziness of the day to curl up and read. Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving to you, too. I am getting some reading in today because I had to miss the festivities at my mother's due to the flu. I'm hoping they save me enough turkey for a sandwich and a slice of pumpkin pie.
ReplyDeleteend of motherhood--I hope you get some reading in! Happy Thanksgiving :)
ReplyDeletebooklogged--I'm so sorry you've got the flu! That's a misery, especially on a holiday. They had better save you some turkey and pie! Hope your book is soothing, too :)
Happy Thanksgiving! It sounds like you are going to have the most gorgeous meal there. I wonder whether one day one of your children will have a blog and post about the family traditions they recall from childhood - wouldn't that be cool?
ReplyDeleteAnd you remind me I want to read Purple Hibiscus.
Happy Thanksgiving! Hope you enjoyed your meal and all the time in the kitchen was worth it!
ReplyDeletelitlove--I do enjoy the tradition, and hope the holiday memories will all be pleasant ones for my kids! Purple Hibiscus was very good, though I think I liked Half of a Yellow Sun more...
ReplyDeletestefanie--thank you, and the time in the kitchen did pay off. I had a more relaxed attitude about it this year, and realize that's the way to go...don't sweat the small stuff, as they say. Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving, too :)
Hope you enjoyed the holiday weekend. As usual, I was part of an "orphan" Thanksgiving Dinner, which took place in a local restaurant. The food was over the top, with half a turkey shared by our party of five. Stuffing, mash potato, a plate of pot roast, green beans casserole, and all-you-can-eat desserts: chocolate peanut butter pie, pumpkin pie, apple paste puff, and brownies. But the guests were very high spirited and interactive so we had a very pleasant evening.
ReplyDeleteHope your Thanksgiving was great.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read Half A Yellow Sun yet...thanks for the mental nudge.
matt--sounds like it was a wonderful feast! The desserts alone would be enough for me--I've got a sweet tooth :)
ReplyDeletebybee--you said your book group friend cooked--hope your expat Thanksgiving was good, too. Kimchee, anyone? Next year do you want me to send you a can of pumpkin or cranberry sauce?