Mr. S getting through a whole Thanksgiving sounds like a big step. Not the final step but you gotta start with the baby steps. I'm glad you had a good meal even if he had some rough moments back in the room. I wish you the best. It's a struggle, I know.

While there are still over 200 hostages there, it's unfortunatly not likely that they're all alive and that Hamas knows where they are.

EDIT because I forgot to reply to this but. My heart aches for everyone trapped in this stupid conflict. And it burns with anger for those who continue and escalate it.

honestly, I'd try the upside down technique in the future. But flipping right side up for the last hour for browning.

Huh. Interesting idea. Not that I have cooked a turkey or likely ever will.

smonster, happy to hear it's behind you now. All the ~ma. You are smart and incredibly brave.

Thank you, Shir and all. R castigated me for not even having the courage to talk to them before showing up with friends and deputies to get my stuff; that stung a little until I realized I had the courage to stand up for and choose myself over doing things “the right way,” and that is big progress for me. I’m hoping I can continue to learn to be more assertive and direct.

I had leftovers from my neighbor for lunch but I’m hungry again. I also kind of want a nap.

Finally watched Blue Beetle, which I had tried to get R to watch without success. It was delightful and heartwarming.

It sounds like a lot of good Thanksgiving-ing going on.

Mine went fine. It’s usually three of us, but one had to cancel last minute. But the other friend and I can keep the conversation going for a few hours with no trouble. After dinner, seconds, pie, and pie seconds, we rambled around our very quiet college town Pokémon-ing.

Today I’ve been doing my traditional tree trimming while watching the Lord of the Rings (extended editions). I’m just wrapping up The Two Towers, and the tree is all done. Now for further leftover noshing.

Well, smonster, I wouldn't want to do that, but if some part of your intuition told you you should, it's probably good to pay attention to it.

R castigated me for not even having the courage to talk to them before showing up with friends and deputies to get my stuff; that stung a little until I realized I had the courage to stand up for and choose myself over doing things “the right way,”

Yeah, R does not have the moral high ground. Things (that R did) broke the relationship for you and you took care of yourself. This is good. I'm sorry because I know we were all rooting for you and wanted you to have the happiness you deserve, but we still are. You deserve to be happy.

She's starting a new job and has been off to Fairfield for two weeks for training and orientation.

Fairfield! That’s way up here by me! Why on earth would anyone come here for training?! Regardless, sounds like a lot of goodness, good to read.

We ended up roasting the turkey thighs (none of us were able to source drumsticks that weren’t already smoked) rather than braising, and kind of improvising the recipe out of what my mother had looked at surveying recipes - turned out quite well. I do think I liked the braised better but we didn’t have all those ingredients anyway. The microwave individual pumpkin pie recipe I randomly came across on one of our brand sites came out very nice indeed. The second batch I made where I forgot to add the arrowroot seems less successful but probably still okay. And today’s lunch of stuffing and turkey hash with gravy + sweet potatoes and the last of the salad because it won’t keep was very satisfying. I brought some additional leftovers home and am currently working on the open bottle of Merlot because it also will not keep. And I still have a weekend in front of me! So nice!

I realized I had the courage to stand up for and choose myself over doing things “the right way,”

Yes, good.

I love hearing about what everyone had! Two more of my neighbors graced me with leftovers so I’m probably good for food for the weekend, hallelujah.

Well, smonster, I wouldn't want to do that, but if some part of your intuition told you you should, it's probably good to pay attention to it.

Wait, which part?

I think, now that the relief has peaked and is ebbing, and my little money crisis has eased (you know who you are), the sadness is starting to really creep in. But hey, I’m like a pro at grief by this point (NOT a dare, Universe, thanks) so hopefully I can get through enough this weekend that I can function somewhat normally at work Monday.

ETA I feel like the grandma in Blue Beetle. “And now we cry.”

Mm, need to watch Blue Beetle. That sounds like a good line.

I really enjoyed it. Might become comfort watching for me.

For Dana and all else interested: The Spanikopita Review.

The filling was actually the most delicious I've ever had. The perfect mix of melty cheese, butter, savory and spinach. The Phyllo dough itself was also buttery and layered to good effect.

However, the lack of eggs gave the whole thing a depth of less than an inch. You literally can't eat this with a fork. You have to hold it like a little savory pancake and put the deliciousness in your mouth.

Obviously that's not the worst thing that can happen (and this tray will be eaten!).

So this recipe would have definitely benefitted from (a) 3-5 eggs for protein and structure and bulk; (b) a third layer which my lazy children didn't do, being only two layers in total making a yummy savory pancake-y thing.

This is an easy fix, as the most important element (flavor!) is nailed, and structure can be finessed.