Black Friday

I had trouble sleeping again so, I wrote most of the Blog entry in the middle of the night. When I finally went back to bed, I set my alarm for 7:30 AM. I had a 9:00 AM appointment to get my haircut.

Michelle (my barber), Big George (the owner) and I all shared our Thanksgiving stories. I made sure to tell them how pleased I was with Ken Clock Service (if you remember, I got his name off their bulletin board) and told them I would recommend him to anyone. They thanked me and said it was good to know.

After my haircut, I went to Kroger’s (just down the street) and bought a few items. I had hoped to pick up a couple of 10-12 pound frozen turkeys they had on sale for 59 cents a pound. I was just going to stick them in my freezer for whenever (you can’t beat the price). Most of the turkeys they had were 18-20 pound beasts, though. But, after much searching (I wish I’d worn gloves. Those damn things are COLD!) I found one 13 pound bird, so I snagged it.

I picked up some ham hocks for split pea soup someday. I also bought two deep dish pie crusts. I figured one good way to use up the gravy and leftover turkey was to make a turkey pot pie. I could have made a turkey shepherd’s pie and got rid of the mashed potatoes as well, but I am not that fond of shepherd’s pie, myself.

Back home, it was sunny and 49 degrees F. It’s supposed to get up to 60 degrees today, but the wind (10-15 MPH) was keeping it a bit chilly.

I went out to the patio and rolled the grille back up front. I started more charcoal, not because I planned on grilling anything, but so I could heat up the grates and clean them before I put the grille away for the winter.

While the charcoal was heating, I took out some Windex and a roll of paper towels and washed the picture window. It took a lot of time and a lot of paper towels, but I got ‘er done! Then I cleaned the grille grates and left the grille open so the charcoal would burn out.

I made a turkey sandwich (well, eventually two) for lunch. Now, some people add lettuce or toast the bread for crunch. I don’t. I like turkey sandwiches like I used to eat as a kid: just plain white bread, turkey, salt and Miracle Whip. Yes, I said “Miracle Whip.” It’s true, I use Hellmann’s mayonnaise (or on rare occasions, make my own – it’s pretty simple with a food processor) for everything else. But a turkey sandwich doesn’t taste like a “turkey sandwich” without Miracle Whip (it’s what my Mom used).

So, anyway, I ate two of them with two McClures pickles (both for the crunch and as a palate cleaner). They were delicious!

I started watching the Red Wings game (hey, it had to beat watching the Lions on Thanksgiving). But, the turkey worked its magic and I fell asleep. I took a nice nap and woke up near the end of the third quarter and the score was tied. The Red Wings won in overtime! That’s more like it!

I went out in the garage to get an acorn squash out of my “root cellar.” I planned on baking the two I had on Thanksgiving, not to eat them, but just because I would have the oven on. I think I even mentioned that to Jake. But, like the cornbread, I forgot.

When I took out the acorn squash, I found a rutabaga stored in there was sprouting. Unacceptable! So, I peeled the rutabaga, cut it into 3/4 inch cubes and boiled it until fork tender. I put a little of the rutabaga in a bowl, buttered and salted it and then ate it as a snack (I like rutabagas!) The rest I put in a container and stuck in the fridge, once it had cooled.

I went back outside again. It was just beautiful weather outside (oh, I know, not “South Carolina” beautiful, or “North Carolina” beautiful or even “Virginia” beautiful, but for this time in Michigan, it’s gorgeous! I’ve spent many a Thanksgiving, driving home in snow.

I got in the mail. While I was at the mailbox, I pulled out the dead flowers in the planter. It looked a little bare, so I went into the attic and got my fake poinsettias. I stuck them in, but the wind blew them around a lot. Since the ground is still frost-free, I put in the driveway wands (snow plowing guides) as well. See photos.

It was near twilight, so I dragged the now-cooled grille into the garage (hoping it didn’t set off the carbon monoxide sensors) and buttoned everything up for the evening.

I watched the news and then started on my dinner. I cut the one squash in half and deseeded it. Then I used the toaster oven to bake the two halves two ways: one savory and one sweet. The first I rubbed with olive oil and sprinkled dried parsley, thyme and a sprinkling of kosher salt on it. The other I used my Mom’s recipe and put butter and brown sugar in the cavity. I baked them at 400 degrees for about and hour and 15 minutes.

Just before they were done, I warmed up some turkey and dressing topped with gravy. I ate the sweet half of the squash for this meal. Do I need to mention that it was damn good?

I watched an old movie, Ivanhoe, (1952, starring Robert Taylor and Elizabeth Taylor) but fell asleep before it finished.