The Turkey Approaches

...on little dinosaur feet.  Or something.  Because it's a scaled-down Thanksgiving (Becca is staying at college, so it will be just Julie and Joe and a special appearence by klages, carrying Brussels sprouts).

So: turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry relish, Brussels sprouts, gravy, apple pie, pumpkin pie.

I heard someone being interviewed on NPR this morning, talking about taking the stress out of cooking for Thanksgiving.  I realize that I am one who enjoys cooking, but really--the standard issue Thanksgiving is not a complex meal, cooking-wise.  It's not a meal where six intricate things need to be done at the same time.  Or maybe I'm doing it wrong.  My timetable:

• make cranberry relish **already done**


• turn on Macy's Parade in background


• make pumpkin pie


• put pie in oven


• make stuffing


• stuff turkey


• put turkey in oven


• assign someone else to set table


• turn on "Alice's Restaurant" on KFOG at noon


• peel potatoes


• boil potatoes


• assemble apple pie, put to side


• take turkey out of oven to sit for 1/2 hour


• put apple pie in oven


• mash potatoes


• make gravy


• assign someone else to put water and other drinks on table


• put food on table


• eat too much


• take apple pie out of oben


• eat pies


• consider the consequences of gluttony


• assign someone else to clean up the dishes

And there's a lot of dead space in there for sitting around considering all the things I have to be thankful for.