Friday, November 23, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving

All my life I traveled to Grandma and Grandpa's house for Thanksgiving. Whether I lived in the same town, a neighboring state, or at opposite ends of the state, I made my way to their hearth and home. When I flew the coop as a young adult and moved to Los Angeles, my Mom would pay for my airfare. Those trips home where a wonderful time for me. My family gathered around me like a warm blanket.

Of course we eventually moved and settled further apart and those of us still on this earth now have thousands of miles between us. I believe 2004 was the last pilgrimage I ever made to Grandma's house for Thanksgiving.

So it wasn't until then that I got to cook a turkey. This year I think I finally got it right.  I watched several YouTube videos for tips and settled on one that seemed right for me. A 14lb Butterball, sitting on a bed of chopped fruit, vegetables and herbs.Herbs and apples in it's cavity, and rubbed with butter and herbs all over. Pop it in the oven and leave it alone. I didn't use a thermometer though. I trusted the timing and when It came out of the oven at about 3 hours I pierced the thigh and the juices ran clear and I called it done.

 And so it is with my husband and my mother-in-law beside me, I think of my family and Thanksgivings past and present, and give thanks to all. I love you all.