from an old Frank Sinatra song off “Come Fly With Me,” one of my favorite albums as a young girl. “It’s Oh So Nice to Go Traveling” explains how I feel tonight.
It’s late and we got in about an hour ago. What a week! After a good night’s sleep we’ll pick up the dog and the fish and try to get back to normal before the routine starts all over again.
Great story coming tomorrow, of an adventure few take part in but I’m too tired to write it now and I don’t have “art” in terms of the photos I took from my husband’s iPhone. You wouldn’t believe me otherwise.
Cooking and socializing, and doing dishes. Jim’s mother and I spent many hours in the kitchen. We live so far away now that we see each other only twice a year, so hanging out in the kitchen is what we do. We each tried a couple of new twists this year, which were enjoyed by many participants.
It’s interesting that as a potential mate then new bride I always felt at home in her kitchen, just didn’t know where anything was. The first morning I was making breakfast! Over the years more flow has come into our relationship which includes cooking as well. When we move around the kitchen it’s not exactly Balanchine, nor is it the Three Stooges (or two, in our case).
This year I brought spicy almonds and cashews on the plane (used pimenton this time) and made boursin and spinach balls. We also made mincemeat tarts for Thanksgiving and again for lunch the next day. I am hesitant to introduce my German and English favorites into a southern milieu but did trifle a few years ago and it was a hit, and the tarts did well also. German will have to wait a bit.
For lunch the next day I went out on a limb a bit and made a curried butternut squash soup and Jim’s mom brought a special lima bean dish and a pork roast using my butcher’s marinade! Oh, our roasted carrots went over well, too, and Nanny asked for them next year.
It was hectic getting ready (culinarily) and having a full house (herding cats) but being with my husband’s family for their big holiday of the year is well worth the travel and effort. And it’s what a big family is all about, organized chaos.
En route home Friday evening (from lunch) neighbors have an elaborate light display on their roof, house, and lawn. This year it was tuned to a radio station so my husband and I sat in front of their house (it was a weak signal) and watched the lights coordinate with holiday music for a few moments. An appropriate ending to transition from Thanksgiving to Christmas.
As for wandering back, in the song, I think I’ll wander upstairs because we have to go get the dog in the morning from her wonderful sitter. More tomorrow, hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving. Dee
Cooking with Dee 