The Big Day is Over

        

Well, we had the big blow-out yesterday.  I baked two pies on Wednesday, got up at 5 am on Thursday so I could have a cup of coffee or two to get the old engines going ( never did  get up a full head of steam).  By  6:30 Andrea and I had the pumpkin roll in the oven.

         

I had to take little breaks all day long because I just couldn't stand too much.  We had told Kayla's uncle that we were going to eat around 4 pm.  He showed up here at about 12:30 to see the girls and a couple of minutes later his brother Monroe showed up with his intended.  Hostess that I am, I wouldn't leave the room to work in the kitchen.  Oops! turkey delay.  Rob was watching football and the two uncles were lovin' it while my turkey was "patiently" waiting for me to return.   

                          

Uncle Eddie asked if he could take Kayla and Lupe to see the cousins, etc. while the turkey baked.  I looked at the clock and told him we would now eat at around 5:30 or 6:00 pm.  Smiling, I waved as 2 of the 3 girls were whisked away from the holiday madness.

The next thing that happened was that I found some stuff in the body cavity and put it to the side to use later.  I then stuffed the bird, had Rob help me load it buttered, slathered and slippery into a cooking bag and lift it into the oven.  I had cooked the giblets and added to the stuffing, so other than making "smashed" potatoes and veggies, there was a little down time.

I sat in the living room for a while, listened to football and played on my computer for a while.  It was a very nice diversion. Then I got up from my chair and ambled into the kitchen to check th progress of the turkey.  It was browning well.  Now was the time to start making side dishes.  Andrea scrubbed and cut potatoes while I cleaned up my workspace and started water to boil.  After we got the potatoes in the pan, we started to work on the rolls.  Silently, Andrea and I rolled the dough into little balls - tried crescent, couldn't do it - and placed them in the pan to rise a little on top of the stove along with the extra stuffing (it was baking on top) and the turkey neck simmering for broth.  Then it was time for another break.

                                      

After some time reading a couple of journals and playing a bit of Pogo, Andrea and I went back into the kitchen.  The turkey wasn't ready so I went online to look up an onion sauce.  Never found one. Went solo.  Mmmmmmm! scrumptious.  I whipped the potatoes, heated the vegetables and had Rob take turkey out of the oven.  Lupe, Kayla and Uncle Eddie come in while I am whipping the potatoes.  "Is that how you do it?  I thought they came in a box"  Thank goodness she went straight to the living room.  I wouldn't have been able to hold it back too long.  As it was, I nearly wet my pants.  I must be getting really old. 

We put the rolls in the oven, poured the onion sauce over the vegetables, finished making the gravy and set the table with fine china.  It was wonderful.

                  

After the main meal, Rob and I went in the kitchen to start the clean-up and prepare to give them pie and pumpkin roll.  Both went over well.  We finished up in the kitchen.  We ate a lot!  Still,  there were some leftovers . . .          .