For the Turkey Feast

In my adult life I have cooked two full-on Thanksgiving Turkey dinners. One when I was 20, and one last year.

I can't really remember anything interesting about dinner when I was 20. I remember a lot of left over meat.

Last year I remember. I thought it turned out fairly well and pretty delicious. Except the turkey was still somewhat frozen. Even though I followed the instructions to defrost by Thanksgiving. When the turkey is still a little frozen, it makes preparation a bit harder. It takes a lot more muscle to pry things apart and dig things out. Not much fun. And, who knows how long it takes to cook a frozen turkey. I think it took 2 or 3 hours longer than I thought it was going to. But, aside from that, I thought the food tasted fine.

So this year, the decision was made to get a turkey breast only. Not as much waste, and a lot easier. Except for purchasing it. You see, I went to purchase one that is supposed to be so easy and so delicious, except I wandered the store for hours (okay, really just minutes but it felt like forever) in search of said turkey breast.  I became frustrated and gave up.

Fast forward; shopping at a different grocery store. No turkey breast. After loading up my other Thanksgiving feast delights (you know the normal, potatoes, asparagus, stuffing, etc.), I decided to give in and buy a whole turkey (at least they were on sale).

Fast forward again; not everyone is on board with a stinky, frozen, giant turkey.

So, this morning I will be headed to the food bank to drop off said stinky, frozen, giant turkey (which technically needs to start defrosting today for someone to enjoy on Thanksgiving).

And, something I tried hard to avoid, I will be headed back out tomorrow. Not for the mysterious, elusive turkey breast. We're going in a different direction. I will be getting some sliced turkey breast and cheeses from the deli, and some delicious buttery croissants from the bakery. You know what? While it might not be traditional or festive, I think it will still be delicious. (And less prep and clean up-- who doesn't love that?)

Santa in November

Santa Clause came to the mall last week. And he's here to stay-- at least until Christmas.

Why oh why does it seem earlier and earlier each year?

Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas, the season, and all of the fun things that go along with it. I just don't like getting burned out before Christmas gets here.

That being said, I did decide to "start" Christmas. If you didn't know this about me, I am addicted to lists. I will make lists of anything and everything. But, before list time, in my opinion, comes budget time. The thing is, if I don't come up with a budget and divvy it out nicely among all the people I would love to buy gifts for, I end up spending way too much-- like living on ramen and mac n cheese for the next two months too much. So, did the budget. Made the first list. And, what else to do this week but starting buying, right?
While I don't want to be involved in Christmas so early, I also don't want to be fighting the traffic and the crowds a month from now. So I decided it's worth it. Plus, it gives me time to remember things that maybe didn't make it on the list.

I think this week I got all the shopping done for the little kiddies (friends, nieces, nephews, etc). I think that's the most fun part anyway. And the easiest. Most kids like toys. Can't go too wrong there. Also, Target and Toys R Us were nice enough to throw out some pre-Black Friday deals, and I don't mind participating in those.

I also got my new Matthew Mead Holiday magazine this week. It's the most beautiful magazine I've seen. A little ambitious for me, but I can still enjoy looking at it. I refuse to start any kind of decorating though until AFTER Thanksgiving. I've got to have some boundaries (aside from the giant glass bowl on my table filled with cinnamon-scented pine cones and red wicker balls-- but that could technically be out any time of the year).