Good morning KarenM.

For the second year in a row, I’m picking up a fresh organic turkey in New Paltz & heading with it to the Poconos for Tgiving dinner with the in-laws & their extended family. Last year’s was the BESTEST turkey I ever ate, an opinion confirmed by everyone there who eats meat.

Next generation doing most of the cooking. Yeah! I’m bringing some carrot puree (butter, OJ, crdamom, very delicious) that I have in the freezer.

And I’m doing salmon. Since this year I’m doing it just for myself.

lovely, Jane just got a wingnut wanting to cut social programs so everyone would get jobs. she mentioned the several callers just this morning desperate for jobs.

Good Morning Karen!

mMmm turkey, I can smell it now.

Just got a shot of the previous column at WashJournal, so no shot of Puac, oh well.

We like to buy a fresh turkey, too, and my daughter is going to prepare it. I think she’s planning to brine it first.

I’ll have to cook the tofurkey at home, since she has only one oven, and I’m going to make some butternut squash soup, too.

I was watching Jane on C-Span this morning… she always does a great job. Being gracious when you’re called a liar is not easy, but she manages it.

I’m not celebrating Thanksgiving this year. With expiring unemployment benefits I can’t afford it and to be honest, I really don;t have much to be thankful for. I think I’ll splurge and but Kuroneko some 9 Lives turkey and cheese catfood and call it a party.

Mashed Potatoes or Sweet Potatoes?

Jane is one of those rare people who have mastered the art of saying f*ck you in the kindest most respectful way imaginable. Gotta love her.

I’m sorry to hear that, Margaret. I almost added something in today’s post about what we might be grateful for, but then I thought better of it. These are hard times for so many people, and it seems hard-hearted to expect them to feel grateful, when so many of our priorities are, as Jane said, completely askew.

I hope we’ll have both!

I’m not supposed to eat mashed potatoes with all that milk and butter, though I might have just a taste, but I do love sweet potatoes!

Well my priority is survival at this point and I can eat for four or five days with what it will cost me to make a huge spread and wind up with a lot of leftovers I’m not going to eat. It will be my first time ever skipping this particular holiday but I think I’ll watch movies, do my usual routines, (that don’t require businesses to be open) and call it “Thursday”.

I picked up some local and regional produce yesterday, and gave it all to my daughter, since we’ll be having dinner at their house.

I already knew you were disciplined, Margaret, but maybe it’s not too late for you to receive an invitation to dinner from some friends?

Good morning all.

Turkey? After fifty years of eating the same stuff on T’Day, I think I’d like something different. Maybe I’ll do Chinese this year !

You can share! No, that wasn’t funny. But honestly, a can of catfood is an occasional splurge, which my kitties really like but makes me feel guilty as the vet tells me dry is best (and right now, Purina is giving big coupons at Petsmart).

Wish there were anything we could say that would help, but have been there myself.

I always prefer the side dishes, much more than the actual turkey, though I do like a thigh, on occasion.

Dunno. I haven’t gotten one yet. Seems like everybody I know is headed out of town this year. I did get an invitation to see Harry Potter part 7.1 the Saturday after Thanksgiving though. :)

Well, then, I would definitely say yes to that!

I’m going to break a rule and repost a comment I left on the previous thread:
I’m back from watching Jane. She did an especially fine job this am. Usually when she’s on tv, she gets just a few minutes, but this was a great opportunity for a wide range of viewers to hear a compassionate and progressive voice speak about a lot of issues.
I hope that we do get some new commenters here and I hope that people here don’t whip out the “troll” label immediately and start bashing. Let’s show the world what Firedoglake is really about.
Thanks Jane.
And, may I say that I’m thankful for this blog. I’ve met some really nice folks here. I’ve learned alot about government and politics and, yes, some great food and gardening tips too.
I don’t think there’s anything wrong about taking the opportunity to find something in our lives to be thankful for. In fact, I think it’s a good thing.

The only kind of catfood my cat has ever thrown up is the dry food, so I think the vets (mine included) just make some shit up, like dry food is better. I put out wet in the morning & a handful of dry when the wet is done.

Cranberry Relish

Note: I make this slightly differently but it is as i learned as a child for the most part:
Wash and cull one bag of cranberries
One apple (with skin) cored, and cut into sections
One orange (with skin) cut into sections
One to two cups sugar.

Use an old fashioned cast iron meat grinder for best results (although a food processor also works, just does not provide quite as nice a finished product).

Grind alternating handful of cranberries, apple sections and orange sections such as all get mixed together well then add in sugar to sweetness levels (I like mine still a bit tart so go with the one cup of sugar.

Does anyone else do Black Friday? I have a friend at work who thinks it’s a ball. Frankly, I prefer to watch a home shopping channel on the Friday after Thanksgiving. No malls, no traffic, no crowds. And I don’t have to buy anything, either.

Not a big fan of fowl, but I’ll likely eat a plateful.Never turn down a free meal.

I tuned in late and by accident. Caught 15 minutes, only. I agree. She can tell someone to go pound sand and make them feel like they’ve been kissed.

The one thing I did hear was the point about the barriers about right and left breaking down. I stumbled onto a good little piece about that yesterday, and have begun forwarding it…even to a few friends of the wingnut persuasion. Pretty damn hard to argue with it. I keep trying to make dents where I can. If I see an opening, I take the shot.

I wish we had one of those contraptions! That recipe sounds great.

She did a really fine piece of work this morning, and you’re right. She even responded to one caller who said he was conservative that he hadn’t said anything she disagreed with and that it seemed we were all coming closer together (not said; distress helps that). So indeed, anyone coming along that is companionable and informative we welcome.

Oh it is. We had it every T’giving and Christmas and it is so much tastier than the standard cranberry sauce.

In the case of Cleocatra, she’s always had a bad stomach, so I do stick mostly with dry. And wet food and milk make Fluffy throw up almost immediately. I use very little canned food for real reasons in addition to the vet. Different strokes for different kitties!

If you like cranberries, now is the time for them. I recently picked up a bag of trail mix with dried cranberries in it. Real good stuff.
And of course there is the ubiquitous cranberry sauce.

Dry food is certainly more balanced than canned but I can’t help but think that an animal which evolved eating freshly killed meat should still get some, or a reasonable facsimile thereof. For now as long as I can afford it, Kuroneko gets a tiny can of catfood every morning and all the dry she wants. She seems to be thriving.

If the vets are recommending just dry food, they’re wrong. The cats need the moisture in the wet food, also. I leave dry food out for my kids to graze on, and feed them wet on a once-a-day basis. They’re healthy and fine, and now that it’s getting cooler, their coats are looking silky…and they definitely run the show around here. It’s their world, I’m just living in it.

We do start off with fresh cranberries and add some citrus, etc., but that sounds great!

Your kitties would probably love some sardines… we gave some to my daughter’s dog, and he loved them, too.

Different titties for different kitties!

I have been known to mash sweet potatoes into regular potatoes for a different flavor. Sorta works.

Figuring out what works for your own cat is very different from a professional recommending something.

Heck, staying home this year, (and not having people over), will at least give me a reprieve from the inevitable shouts at the football game. I can watch something else this year. :)

I just didn’t want anyone to feel that gratitude was required today… that’s all. Sometimes it just doesn’t fit.

Neko hates sardines. Weird, eh?

You work for TSA?

Same here… I could definitely do without the football.

I’m in charge of making the waldorf salad this year. Maybe I’ll take a small bag of craisens along and put them on the side for people to add if they want to. Must stick to traditional tastes or Someone might get upset. Ha.

You have to get them in olive oil. Soybean oil or spring water makes them taste just awful. In my opinion…

Does anyone else do Black Friday?

I’m not sure, but I think hitting the mall in that sort of pandemonium might be a violation of the Geneva Convention. I find it excruciating.

Ot On Thanksgiving Day at noon the radio stations around here play ” Alice’s Restaurant ” in it’s entirety . This has been a tradition for the past 30 years or more. I was wondering if this was a local thing or do they do this in other parts of the country as well?
Do they do this where you live ?

It’s your post, but I’ve always felt that we could pretty much say what we wanted, that nothing was “required”.

I just figured it would come up in the threads… and that would be fine.

Yeah, I’ve tried that too. She turns her nose up and gives me a dirty look. Now if they sold canned swallow or sparrow….

Yeah, torture! I hate malls.

As I said, I think vets just make some shit up. My prior vet pulled a real stunt on me, by saying that my cat had to go on a special diet of canned food which I could only buy from him. It happened many years ago, when I was a weekender & friend picked up the cat from the vet, after treatment for cuts from a fight. He bought some cans of it, and my cat wouldn’t eat it, so I just ignored the vet. Not too long afterward, I saw an article that it was a scam: same old food, just higher priced so vet got his cut.

Yes, they do! And we love it… we try to listen to it while driving to my daughter’s.

PS, I’m not expecting that people be grateful, I mentioned the word “opportunity”. People can be thankful or not as far as I’m concerned. Choose away. :)

Yikes! I never shop the pet food aisles… do they even make something like that? ;~)

My in-laws don’t do TV. Lots of musical talent in the family including professionals. Last year, I talked the pianist into doing variations on “We Gather Together to Ask the Lord’s Blessing,” while we sang along. It was a hoot.

Not that I’m aware of, much to her disappointment.

My vets have been much better sorts of people, and the one I use now I found originally because we both did volunteer work with an animal rescue.

My prior vet pulled a real stunt on me, by saying that my cat had to go on a special diet of canned food which I could only buy from him.

Two words: Revenue Enhancer.

And where would that be?

OT, an acupuncture update… my new acupucturist likes to leave needles in me between weekly appointments. This week, I have three in my ear (for tinnitus, which is now softer) and four in my right arm for that NetFlix/Knitting injury I mentioned a few weeks ago.

Next Tuesday, I’m going to ask her not to leave any in me. They’re taped down, and hardly noticeable, but my old acupuncturist always told me to rest afterward… I’m not sure this is resting.

Yep.

Lucky you!

Maybe you could start up a new “cottage” industry?

You know that had to be a scam!

The one I go to now seems a better sort. Neighbors also use her & she seems to pass muster, so we’ll see. The way you met yours would strike me as a way of finding a higher class.

A bird in the can is worth two in the bush?

from Lansdowne, PA to Chadds Ford, PA

It’s about a 45-minute drive, so we have to time it properly, in order to hear the whole thing.

Little did I know how sick the pianist was. He had a horrendous operation the following spring. I made up for my inadvertent thoughtlessness (his wife, my niece, could have warned me off, but didn’t, so not my fault) by good visits to him in the hospital.

Ugh!

I need some advice. We’re having one of my daughter’s friends over for T-Day and she is a vegetarian. I was thinking of roasting a variety of root vegetables. What combination makes the most sense?

So fine, don’t pay me for it. :)

It’s been my experience that nothing makes a musician feel better than by practicing his or her music.

LMAO! No worries there!

Saveur magazine has an online presence, and this time of year, they usually put out something like that.

She’ll need some protein, too. Can’t live on veggies alone. Hopefully, she eats cheese or eggs.

Getting paid for playing usually works for me.

I don’t know enough about root vegetables, but the dinners I’ve been to where there were vegans, usually there was a meatless lasagne.

It’s a wonder no one has thought of canning rats for cats. Or at least the crickets they love so much.

You see that sort of thing in human-type doctor’s offices these days, too. It has that multi-level marketing scam aroma. Typically, doctors are not particularly astute when it comes to business matters. “Hey, let’s sell some of this crap. We’ll be rich by Tuesday…”

They do love their mousies. But, I think it’s more for the entertainment value.

My son was vegetarian, always happily just took what he wanted and left the turkey and gravy alone at T’giving. But a bowl of nuts would be wonderful

Acupuncture! Now that’s an idea. I have some degeneration in my cervical spine, the Doc wants to stick a BIG needle into my spine but I’m a bit hesitant. Little needles placed in the skin sounds like a better option.

I’ll bet!

Lots of bacon and ham, followed by lard chasers.

Sorry. Couldn’t resist. ;-)

Ask around and try to get someone you know to recommend someone they have used.

I sure hope so. What made me think of it was several years before that, right before Xmas, we ended up at a bar with no other patrons (!!! near Times Square) and a piano. Peter sat down at the piano & played variations on Xmas carols. We were ROFLAO. It was such fun that I was looking for a repeat. Peter also knows me well enough to decline my request if he didn’t feel well, so I think you are right.

I’m off.

Be well.

Uhm? 41 degrees and white stuff falling from the sky.
What might that be, wonders I?

Gotta run do things for a bit, do visit us (Jane up now) over at that other FDL place.

Have a great holiday!

Now, you’ve got me thinking. Maybe I’ll ask my sister to bring her guitar to Mom’s on Thursday. We grew up singing together and that would be a great way to stir up some good memories.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving salmon, Ruth!

I’ve been close to getting thrown out of the house before but that would certainly do the trick.

Thanks. I’ll check it out.

Happy Thanksgiving !

Dandruff? ;~)

I’m don’t seeing her. Which tab?

Gotta bail. Here’s a little tune to get you going. Enjoy.

Have a great holiday, ShotoJamf!

This year I’ll be celebrating Thanksgiving with the kids and their families at the program where I work. This will be an interesting menu for sure. Not only will we be having the usual Turkey and mashed potatoes, the will be empinadas and tacos and quesedias as well as other Mexican or Spanish dishes.
Sure will spice things up !

Now that sounds like an interesting menu!

I should have typed SNOW?

I can’t find her, either.

AT MyFDL…..later. Im out….

Happy Thanksgiving.

And I bet, even those people who are having it rough, can find at least one thing to be thankful for.
And you never know what tomorrow may bring!

Over and out!

I hope you’re right, Billy!

Thanks, RevBev!

Margaret – are you still there? I saw your post on trying a “handylady” business….I am definitely unhandy and have a few things that I’d looove to have someone do…like hanging a hanging shelf-should be easy but I’m afraid if I do it it’ll fall down.
I’ve been working for over a month, so I coulld pay if you’d like to try it…
And to Turkey Day…I’ll be on my own this year for the first time in awhile; the place will probably still be messy, but if you’d like to come over for a little turkey breast and a few veggies, you are welcome.
With no guests, I hadn’t decided whether or not to make the effort. With a guest; worth the effort.

Good morning, all.

My system is back up for the moment. I’m off-grid with solar, and one or more of my batteries died about a week ago. I made a guess as to which ones this morning and wrestled a bunch of 120 pound batteries around before breakfast, and if I guessed right I’ll have power again. Today is the last day of sunlight for several days, so it’s my last chance until next week.

We commend you for trying to live off the grid… but wish you could be here with fewer difficulties. I hope you can make it next week!

Mornin’ KarenM, pups

Great thread. I haven’t decided whether to go to Billy and Linda’s for Thanxgiver or do Chinese at home with les tigres. They’re not real fond of stir fry so they’ll leave me in peace after a sniff or two.

The canned vs dry food debate continues. Different vets have different opinions, as do vet nutritionists.

Morning Karen and all the rest of you.

Karen, you are just not shopping at the right second-hand stores. I found one which was about 40 years old, unused, with three different sized grinder tips, original box, $2. about two years ago. Taking it to Antiques Road Show next time they are in the area. ;) My antique hand crank, cast iron cherry pitter is another fav.

What’s wrong with mixing the dry and the wet and averaging out the differences?

Thanks for dropping in, SD!

There are some thrift shops around, but what you’re talking about is more likely to show up in an antique shoppe!

…at least in these parts…

We missed you earlier on, nonquixote!

I’ve had to do Thanksgiving by myself for a few years now – most folks in my life have moved on and not been replaced.

I do a small turkey breast thing, home-made stuffing, canned gravy (not enough fat in the white meat to make gravy), scalloped potatoes, dinner rolls, half a pie (one of the local grocery stores sells half-pies). I need to come up with a nice vegetable side dish – I keep trying new ones every year but haven’t settled on one.

Re mixing, nothing I know of. I’ve got 2 males who can’t eat dry, Toes won’t eat enough of it to thrive and since Kismet’s 18 she gets canned to preserve her teeth. No way I could spend $13 a day on canned for all of them, unlike Caboodle the pet food companies ain’t helping me out.

Thanks for the kind words, Karen. I’ve been off-grid for coming up on 13 years now. The system has been so trouble-free for so long I had forgotten to do battery maintenance, and so I am compromised heading into the dark months. Never fear, I’m tough, and can usually coax enough juice from the system to grind my coffee.

I was out early, some blaze orange guys with guns who don’t have permission to be here needed to be re-directed from the premises.

Rats – where did Margaret get to? I haveta go to class in a minute here.
Does our new myfdl thingy hve a way to send messages direct to our myfdl friends?
Oh, well. If anybody sees” her in a thread, will you point her to my message at 110 above?

Butternut Squash and Sage Lasagna

Well, I do hope we see you next week, dave… it’s a great group here… kind & compassionate.

That sounds delicious!

Yes, tehanarusa, I will, if/when I see her. I have to go out for a little while to get two more skeins of yarn, but I’ll look for her when I get back.

Yikes! I hope you were wearing a protective vest!

Many, many thanks to everyone who dropped in this morning… I don’t sleep in on Saturday mornings any more… just as well.

I’m wondering if we should have a Thanksgiving morning thread… ?

Pennsylvania German potato filling is always a must.

Yes, blaze orange. Just asked them if they were looking for some coffee and said, but the pancakes aren’t ready yet. Disarms them right away. Hunters were from out of state, claimed they were turned around in the big woods, yada, described to them the very long way around the block, so-to-speak, to get back to where their vehicle supposedly was.

Well, I id sleep in today, contrary to my custom! So I belatedly wish you, Karen & all here at FDL the Happiest of T-Days, when we may try for a day of reunion and peace.

I am having a few Veterans over for a modest spread, these are friends who are in recovery from the psychological trauma of war. It was hard to see everybody sitting somewhere alone, which is what these men and women do.

Pecan/Sweet potato souffle, cornbread and andouille dressing, tasso/turkey gravy, turkey, fresh green beans cooked down with bacon grease, and mashed potatoes.

Good on you.

Sounds like a delicious menu, pineywoods!

What Southern Dragon said… you’re doing a wonderful thing!