But, new place has a pool, rooftop deck, and non-shitty management.

Worth it! But having done it recently, I'm muy simpatico with your moving hassles.

so I've got a curry going in the slow cooker and I'm lounging about, reading, usually with 1-2 cats on top of me.

Lovely!

Emmett arrived and he and Matilda were cackling like fiends within a matter of minutes as she took him to the bathroom to work on his skincare routine, whilst mocking his hair.

We had a late addition to our Thanksgiving guest list when Matilda's friend, Mia, was available. So she slept over and she's prepping appetizers. Emmett's downstairs in the Garden Apartment making deviled eggs because apparently those were necessary.

Turkey's in the oven. I've started my mushroom stew and it tastes fab. But I'll just saute up the fancier 'shrooms to top the stew. Matilda's making the pastry cups that the mushroom stew goes into.

Congrats on the new place, Vortex!

The turkey roulade came out tasty, if not as tightly rolled as in the recipe photo. I’ve added it to my recipe folder. Friends came, ate, made appreciative sounds, chatted a good long while, and left with leftovers. One of them brought goodies from the local nice bakery and one brought lots of wine, both of which provided leftovers for me (along with the remainder of my cooking). So I am set on food and drink for the rest of the week. And then some.

Hec, your menu sounds great!

You all are eating some good, good stuff.

We just got back from my nephew's. A good time and good food were both had by all. I got to hold a tiny baby and be amused by his two year old brother, which was lovely.

Now, probs watch a movie and play some Mario golf together!

Went to my uncle's as usual, and just brought veg and dip, mostly because we took the commuter rail there, but we brought the turkey carcass home with us! Because my aunt would literally throw it away.

Timelies all!

Thanksgiving was going well until Mr. S got upset that he couldn't go outside to play(it was completely dark out, and there are few lights out) and had a meltdown. We managed to get home with me driving and Gary sitting in the back with Mr. S. Can't get a break...

Glad people seemed to have generally good Thanksgivings.

Mac worked 1-6, so Sara and I had lunch together. My other friend who was going to join felt sick Wednesday so stayed home.

Food was good, company better.

Then I made 2 different things for Mac when he got home and he had his Thanksgiving.

Now I’m at work, one of the few people in the building and I’m avoiding doing work.

I’m at work, one of the few people in the building and I’m avoiding doing work.

Team municipal employee!

Thanksgiving was a success. I mastered both ovens and found my immersion blender.

We had two guests and everybody fit around the table (instead of squishing in around our kitchen table at the old apartment).

Ratings:

Turkey: A- (could've done with another day of brining but moist and flavorful). Not my best one but very good. True Believer in Dry Brining.
Salmon: A. For JZ. I make this for her all the time so I know how she likes it.
Gravy: A. Veg gravy EM brought was excellent as usual. Meaty gravy I made was also in demand.
Cranberry Sauce: B-. Flavor basically rescued but not as good as last year's and, of course, poor execution with the boil over.
Stuffing: B. Satisfactory. Basic recipe was sound but lacked a little pizzaz.
Mashed Potatoes: A+. I know how I like 'em and I know how to make 'em.
Roasted Brussels Sprout Salad: A-. Very good effort on an improvised recipe. Nice to have something on the plate with some greens and acidity to cut through the richness.
Mushroom Stew in Pastry Cups: A+. One of my best stews. We know this recipe now and it's locked in. Holding back fancy mushrooms to saute separately and incorporate at the end was right choice.
Spanikopita: A+. JZ always makes it delicious. Lots of Kerrygold in the recipe this year.
Deviled Eggs: A. Emmett made them at the last minute and they were yum. He added chopped up cornichons.
Charcuterie Plate: A. Matilda's friend Mia was in charge and put together an artful plate on her first try.
Pie: A+. EM brought both a homemade pumpkin and apple pie, and both were splendid. Apples were sweetened with Maple instead of sugar this year and it was very tasty.

The house has been officially inaugurated with its first family gathering and it flowed and encompassed and accommodated everybody. It was lovely to be able to invite Mia at the last minute and have plenty of room to include her. Our other guest, Wendy, was the girlfriend of JZ's father. She was very happy to be included.

Made rolls for Thanksgiving yesterday and they turned out well. That was all I asked.

My pies came out very good: the pumpkin was very flavorful, as I bumped up the spices from the Joy of Cooking recipe, and added cardamom. The mini maple-pecan pies are excellent and I hope will freeze ok. The stuffing was pretty good, the gravy acceptable, and I have made packages of stuffing/mash/turkey/gravy/cranberry and stuck them in the freezer for later enjoyment.

I will probably hit the local brewpub around the corner soon: they're hosting World Cup games and that seems like a nice way to spend part of the afternoon.