As a blogger I’m obligated to do some kind of Thanksgiving post. It’s part of the blogger’s code – article 6, section 14, paragraphs 3 – 8. To quote: “…the aforementioned U.S. based web-log author (blogger), hereby agrees that, by end of day on the 4th Thursday in November, (s)he will make a holiday-themed post celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday. Those bloggers not living within the boundaries of the U.S. are under no such obligation, and are allowed to poke fun at the sappy nature of the posts of those who are…” So in order to meet my professional obligations, I hereby present my Thanksgiving 2007 Sharepost.
When you all sit down for a Thanksgiving meal, do you have the dreaded “what are we thankful for” discussions? Ever since I was a kid, someone has suggested we go around the table and have everyone say what they are thankful for. In your head you’re thankful there’s a LOT of wine for dinner, you’re thankful that the Packers are winning, and you’re thankful you can go home after dinner and don’t have to worry about cleaning up after that crowd. But you can’t say this - it’s hard to be a smart-aleck after Grandpa breaks down in tears while trying to express his thanks for the wonderful family he’s spawned. So you suck it up, and say you’re thankful for the fine food, and the wonderful family, and your friends… and before you know it you’re choked up also. So in the spirit of that great holiday tradition, I proceed:
I’m thankful for all my friends around the world, most of whom I’ve never met, for their unconditional love and support. I find it amazing that such friendships can develop and flourish, but they do, and are a source of considerable comfort and satisfaction to me.
I’m thankful that the Packers are playing an early game, before dinner.
I’m thankful for my family, the people that make my life worth living.
I’m thankful for my wife, without whom I’d never have gotten this far in life. Supportive, non-judgmental, committed to us unconditionally. The glue that keeps the family close.
I’m thankful that my bipolar disorder hasn’t progressed to the point that I can’t work. I’m thankful that I’m able to financially support my family at this time.
I’m thankful that my mother finally showed my wife how to make good mashed potatoes, even though gravy is completely beyond her grasp.
I’m thankful we have a grocery store close where we can buy turkey gravy by the pound.
I’m thankful for technology, that wonderful thing that makes this online world possible. Without it, we wouldn’t have shareposts, we wouldn’t have BipolarConnect, we wouldn’t have this community, and we would be significantly less informed. Just think about having this disorder 20 years ago, if you wanted information you either went to the library for a book that was 15 years old, or you talked to your doctor, who told you only as much as they wanted to tell you. We are, due to this technology, so much more knowledgeable and able to care for ourselves.
When you all sit down for a Thanksgiving meal, do you have the dreaded “what are we thankful for” discussions? Ever since I was a kid, someone has suggested we go around the table and have everyone say what they are thankful for. In your head you’re thankful there’s a LOT of wine for dinner, you’re thankful that the Packers are winning, and you’re thankful you can go home after dinner and don’t have to worry about cleaning up after that crowd. But you can’t say this - it’s hard to be a smart-aleck after Grandpa breaks down in tears while trying to express his thanks for the wonderful family he’s spawned. So you suck it up, and say you’re thankful for the fine food, and the wonderful family, and your friends… and before you know it you’re choked up also. So in the spirit of that great holiday tradition, I proceed:
I’m thankful for all my friends around the world, most of whom I’ve never met, for their unconditional love and support. I find it amazing that such friendships can develop and flourish, but they do, and are a source of considerable comfort and satisfaction to me.
I’m thankful that the Packers are playing an early game, before dinner.
I’m thankful for my family, the people that make my life worth living.
I’m thankful for my wife, without whom I’d never have gotten this far in life. Supportive, non-judgmental, committed to us unconditionally. The glue that keeps the family close.
I’m thankful that my bipolar disorder hasn’t progressed to the point that I can’t work. I’m thankful that I’m able to financially support my family at this time.
I’m thankful that my mother finally showed my wife how to make good mashed potatoes, even though gravy is completely beyond her grasp.
I’m thankful we have a grocery store close where we can buy turkey gravy by the pound.
I’m thankful for technology, that wonderful thing that makes this online world possible. Without it, we wouldn’t have shareposts, we wouldn’t have BipolarConnect, we wouldn’t have this community, and we would be significantly less informed. Just think about having this disorder 20 years ago, if you wanted information you either went to the library for a book that was 15 years old, or you talked to your doctor, who told you only as much as they wanted to tell you. We are, due to this technology, so much more knowledgeable and able to care for ourselves.
For C.J.’s wife…
To make 8 cups of Gravy Base
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 carrot
• 1 rib celery
• 1/2 yellow onion
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1/2 cup apple juice
• 8 cups homemade chicken stock or turkey stock
• 1 teaspoon black peppercorns, whole • 4 sprigs fresh parsley
• 4 sprigs fresh thyme
• 2 bay leaves To make the gravy
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• Gravy Base just made
• 1/2 cup reserved turkey fat
• 1/2 cup all purpose flour
PREP WORK ...Begin by getting your Gravy Base ingredients prepped. Peel and chop the carrot, celery, onion and garlic. Either make or get ready the chicken stock.
HOW TO MAKE AT HOME ...Making the Gravy Base
1. Heat the butter and oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped vegetables, garlic, turkey neck and sauté until the vegetables are caramelized. (Approximately 15 minutes). Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and burning.
2. Deglaze the pan with apple juice and stir, scraping up the brown bits on the bottom of the pan. Reduce until the juice evaporates to an essence. (Approx. 5 minutes)
3. Add the chicken stock, peppercorns, and herbs. Reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered for one hour. Strain gravy base and set aside. Making the Gravy
4. Remove turkey from roasting pan. Pour off pan drippings and reserve. Place pan over high heat and deglaze with white wine. Skim the fat from the reserved pan drippings and reserve.
5. Add the Gravy Base and the defatted pan drippings back to the pan and bring liquid to a boil over medium heat.
6. Make a roux by heating the reserved turkey fat and enough butter to make 1/2 cup in a small sauté pan. When the fat is hot, add flour and whisk to combine.
7. To thicken the gravy, whisk in small amounts of roux until the gravy is at the desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste.