Everything turned out to be a win at Chez Zmayhem except for the fact that Emmett dislikes every single thing that is served for Thanksgiving except for pie. He got very sad and bored and we have decided that by age 12 he's old enough to know whether he likes roast turkey, and by god he doesn't. Henceforth he'll have steak for Thanksgiving or something equally delightful to him.

I put herbed butter (fresh sage and tyme) under the skin and on the skin. Basted it in white wine and stock all day and completely messed up the timing so the bird was done by 2:30 and I hadn't even put the dressing in the oven (and it takes an hour). Fortunately wrapping the entire bird in foil kept it warm without drying it out, and the stuffing got cooked, and EM's vegetarian gravy (portabello mushroom reduction with Madeira) was delish, and the root vegetables (always makes me think of Bon) came out perfect and everything tasted really good. Even the brussel sprouts which I stopped and started steaming three times to finesse the timing.

EM took the MiL home. Emmett has zonked way early (he's had a cold this week) and I tubbed with Matilda so she's in jammies and in bed with JZ reading In the Night Kitchen.

All the dishes are washed and the food put away. I've been on my feet cooking since 10:30am and I am wiped.

...and the tryptophan stupor was general over Buffistaland.

We, too, had brussel sprouts. They're yummy. I never ever had them growing up, just heard about them. Then as an adult I saw them, and was like "Whoah! They're like adorable little baby cabbages!" and then ate them and liked them. But we decided they're like asparagus, and you can only eat them from fresh.

Just had a plate of leftovers, but the sad part about not hosting is that you only end up with the leftovers you take back, so we have some pie, but only got one plate of leftovers, which are now...mostly gone. And only about six brussels sprouts. Sad.

But we watched "Pangs"! And the West Wing Thanksgiving episode. Would've liked to watch the Friends ones, that someone here mentioned, those would've been good.

My tummy hurts. I ated too much FOOD! We had: smoked turkey courtesy of lori, mashed potatoes courtesy of Kristen's Roommate, sarameg's cranberry relish and corn from Polgara. The other sides included bourbon glazed carrots, my blanched green beans, pumpkin cake with bourbon whipped cream and bourbon sweet potatoes and yummy dinner rolls.

It was a meal that could have been sponsored by the butter end of the diary board and Jim Beam.

Bourbon should be a food group.

We're going to have pie for breakfast and I'm taking the MiL out to do some Black Friday Shopping.

I am home from being co-cook at my sister's house. We accomplished turkey and mashed potatoes and stuffing (in and out of the bird--you can't have too much stuffing) and turnip with parmesan and green beans with almonds, plus home made rolls and salad and ginger-orange-cranberry sauce. And homemade gyoza and fresh shrimp for appetizers. Plus three kinds of pie for dessert. I made the gravy, the rolls, the potatoes, and the chocolate cream pie.

My sister and I started drinking at 1:30. Long day. But everything came out great and the kitchen is clean and I have some leftovers (although not pie). The advantage of living so close, however, is that I can go over there tomorrow and maybe score some pumpkin pie for breakfast...

I hope everyone had a lovely day.

Just posted an add for our used cooking oil on Craigslist. I hope there is someone local who distills their own biodiesel fuel that needs a few gallons. I'd hate to just throw out all this cooking oil.

Anybody know what we can do with it? It's a peanut/soy blend.

There have been thefts of used cooking oil. So I'd be hopeful that someone will answer your ad for being able to legitimately get some free. If you are talking a small quantity, you might have to deliver it.

I also posted on the daily newspaper's website message board. I hope someone wants it.

Attention, Hec. Forgot to mention I have a SUPERSHORT pixie cut now. She used clippers. I've gone back to brown with some random blonde streaks, too.

Gronk. Guests just left. Dishes 90% done. Turkey a success. house reclaimed. Woo!