Even More Thankful

it is 11:30 p.m.  i just took the dogs out for a stroll.  it stopped raining and it is actually pleasant outside.  it seems warmer. the air is fresh from all the rain.  it was pretty quiet.  my silver fox was sitting in front of a car near my driveway.  he stared at me from a distance.  he looked like a cat.  as i got closer i realized that it was the silver fox from the valley at the end of my street.  

he ran off but turned to give me a glance goodbye.  i guess he's hungry.  the dogs were already getting agitated or i might have looked for something to feed him.  i know that foxes can be rabid.  this one looks healthy; but then again, i am not an animal doctor.  let's just say he wasn't foaming at the mouth like cujo.  i wonder what foxes eat.  i bet turkey would have been to his liking.

i cooked and prepped for about seven hours yesterday and i put in another seven today.  i also cleaned the house.  i made the zucchini and string bean dishes and i made baked apples, a green salad and i made non dairy whipped cream.  i added almond milk to the soup before i heated it up.  i made the wild rice.  it was a first for me.  after it was cooked it was a bit hard.  i added more water and it didn't seem to help.  i wanted a pilaf so i sautéed some celery and scallions and added dried parsley.  i was out of shallots and onions. i should have added some turkey stock. it would have been so rich.  

 i set the table with an old linen tablecloth from the past with a pilgrim turkey motif.  it's funny but i don't remember this table cloth from my youth.  it has yellow stains.  i had a much better and newer, disposable thanksgiving turkey motif tablecloth in the pantry; but i decided to go retro.  i took out the old champagne glasses from the cabinet and used them for the rum breezes.  it was chic. the ladies came all dolled up.  i even put on some eye shadow and lipstick.  we were a legal party of 5.  we sat one seat apart from each other.  after a glass of rum breezes we were feeling no pain.  we were actually giddy and animated.  it was the first time that we all got together for a meal since the dreaded covid.  it was wonderful.  it was enchanting.  we kept on singing the old: "We gather together to ask the Lord's blessings".. traditional thanksgiving song.  we couldn't remember all of the words.

the food was so delicious.  the butternut, sweet potato and chestnut soup was to die for.  it was so hearty and smooth and healthy.  it was luxurious.  the corn muffins were fabulous. they were light with a taste of honey and made with whole wheat flour and organic rice milk.  the cranberry sauce was glorious.  it was so sweet and dark and rich.  i made it with dates and fresh orange juice and ginger and a splash of maple syrup.  i couldn't stop eating it.  it's better than store bought comfiture.  i can't wait to have some smeared on a corn muffin tomorrow morning.

the muffins are gone.  i gave the remainder to the ladies for a treat on shabbat.  i will gladly go back to my non sweetener regimen on shabbat morning with a bowl of ground oats, banana and dates.  i might just throw the rest of the cranberry sauce into the oats.  it's that good.  the teriyaki string beans was the hit of the meal.  i grated fresh garlic and ginger and added some honey to the store bought teriyaki sauce.  i reduced it somewhat and then added crushed peanuts.  it worked well.  i debated about using the traditional sesame seeds instead; but in the end i went with the peanuts.  good choice.

i loved the zucchini with canned organic tomatoes and basil but it was overlooked at the meal.  the turkey wings and drumsticks were scrumptious.  the gravy was heavenly.  the turkey meatballs were light as feathers.  i only added an egg and a bag of ground fresh parsley.  i only had one wing because i was busy eating all of the sides.  i didn't even try the salad.   i lost it on the wild rice.  it was addictive.  i couldn't stop eating it.  my friend, the picky eater, thought it was mushy.  i beg to disagree.  i thought it was just right and that it had the crunch of the al dente celery.  everyone else thought it was just delicious.

i made tahini sauce and a mustard, honey and garlic vinaigrette for the salad.  i served a brandy spiked coffee and a brandy spiked hot chocolate.  both were topped with non dairy whipped cream.  i then served the baked apples.  i didn't have room for one. i can have it for breakfast or i can add it to the oats for saturday morning.  i topped the apples with cinnamon and a splash of maple syrup and a drizzle of honey.  i also added a sugarless dried pineapple slice on each apple for texture.

we started eating after 4:00 p.m. and we were finished by 6:00 p.m.  we were all satiated and ready to get home and back into our jammies.  i am thankful that i have tasty leftovers for shabbat and that my house is clean and that i feel warm and cozy right now and that i don't have to do anything tomorrow morning and that i have been invited to eat downstairs tomorrow night.  i am even more thankful that i was able to host such a lovely meal for my friends.