Counting Down

It is Thanksgiving week and there is much happening here at Casa de Crazy and Dragon’s Rest.

We’re celebrating at Dragon’s Rest again, this year, our way of keeping Mom with us even though she is gone.  Angie, too - if she cannot be with us, at least her kitties can enjoy a few morsels of turkey.

The Evil Genius will not be coming - bit of a commute from the other side of the country.  More keylime pie for me (and Ed, and Tony).

Not gonna lie, this year is going to hurt.  Last year did, but we found laughter and love and joy, and we will again.

Some friends will be joining us, though, and that’ll be fun.

This is a somewhat traditional post for me - every year I write a little something about this week, as it is the lead-off to The Silly Season (aka Christmahannukwanzakyule) and often one of my busiest here at the Casa.

So, here we go.

Sunday - Baking bread for dressing.  Micah (Blossom, Sorout) is going to help, and we’re doing it at the cabin so there’s less to transport on Wednesday.  Cleaning, cleaning, cleaning.

Monday - cutting bread into cubes so it can air dry for dressing.  Did I mention cleaning? Transferring turkeys to the fridge,  then back to Casa de Crazy.

Tuesday -  Baking keylime pies, mashing turnips and carrots.  Panic over the cream supply - will half a gallon suffice?  Is two pounds of butter enough? Thaw the turkey stock for dressing and gravy.  Chop onion and celery for dressing.

Wednesday - Pack it all up.  Back to the cabin.  More housework.  Lort, the housework.  Setting up the extra table and chairs.  Prepping the dressing.  Still panicking about the butter…maybe last minute shopping is in order?  Stuff the turkeys with herbs, butter ‘em up, and season them before putting the pans in the fridge so they’re ready to go in the morning.  

Thursday - Turkeys go in to bake.  Dressing goes in to bake.  Green beans are steamed.   Boil and mash potatoes.  Are five pounds of potatoes enough?  Maybe I’ll make ten… Finishing up any last minute cleaning.  Friends and family trickle in.  Set the table.  Fill the water pitcher.  Watch TV and baste the turkey.  Start Dutch apple pie baking and start chocolate silk pie thawing (because Marie Callender does pie so well, I'm happy to let her).  Serve.  Eat.  Coma.  Dessert and coffee/tea.  More coma.  Play games.  Pack leftovers to go for guests.  Eat more.  Sleep well.

Friday - Head to GARF to work with Kerri at her booth, stopping by Casa de Crazy first to love on the cats therein.

Saturday - More GARF, then home for the night.  Start planning holiday goodies for shipping to family and friends.  Get ready to make meringues so Mom’s tradition lives on.  

Sunday - Back to the cabin.  Naps interspersed with making Thanksgiving casserole and turkey stock/soup.  Would ye be unreasonable to buy another freezer or three?  Maybe beginning Christmahannukwanzakyule baking.

How is your week shaping up?