Thanksgivng Eve

I went into work early again (I’ve been doing that all week to make up for leaving early for my dentist appointment).

I went home at lunch, only stopping to pick up some chicken fried rice at my favorite takeout (next to CVS).

It was 3:30 PM (and I had to leave at 4:00) when Lenore announced that everybody except for Vicky could go home (the Help Desk must be manned! – Jake used to get nailed with that one all the time). So much for coming in early all freakin’ week!

So, I wished everyone a Happy Holiday and went home. It was kind of nice, because I didn’t have to rush. I treated the cats and then unloaded the dishwasher and washed the cast iron pan and my Wustof by hand. Then I brushed my teeth, gargled and left for the dentist.

It took a little time to fit it perfectly (it was too tight). At one point, the dentist said, “Well, I may have to follow you home tonight and take it out for you.” I told him, “Look, I like you, but not that much!” Both he and Lori, his assistant today, laughed.

But, he finally got it right and I headed home. It felt weird to have “something” in my mouth, but since I did it for at least 10-15 years with the last one, I think I will get used to it. And, I will say, this one feels a LOT more secure and comfortable than the last one.

I got home just after 5:00 PM. The cats insisted that the garage door had gone up and down and I walked in, so treats were in store. I argued a bit but then gave up and in (damn their eyes!) I changed clothes, answered some emails and posted some responses on Facebook. Then I finished watching the evening news.

Next, I started the Wednesday night wash. It’s not that I needed the clothes, it was just because I wanted it out of the way.

I ate the rest of the chicken fried rice for dinner and then got started on prepping more of my Thanksgiving dinner.

Now one of my sides involves using a lot of Yukon Gold potatoes, slicing them almost through and sticking shallots in the divisions for the first baking. They are called Shallot-Sage Accordion Potatoes, but this ain’t my first rodeo. They are just a riff on Hasseleback potatoes (which I have made in the past, you may recall).

So, I washed two big russet baking potatoes and sliced them about a 1/4 inch thick. Previously, I had thrown away or re-used a lot of potatoes attempting this before I learned this trick: Put two store-bought chop sticks on either side of your potato. That way your knife cannot cut all the way through.

Then I thinly sliced a big shallot. I stuck a shallot section in each cut, put them cut side down in a casserole dish, dabbed then on top with two pats of butter, sprinkled the rest of the shallots around them, covered them in tin-foil and stuck them in a 375 degrees F. preheated oven.

After 20 minutes, I flipped the potatoes over, dabbed another two pats of butter on them, recovered them with the foil and baked them for another 20 minutes. Then I took them out and let them cool. I’ll finish them tomorrow.

I test-fitted the bathroom vanity. It looks nice and only half the register and a small bit of broken tile (now spackled and painted) shows.

I gave up trying to figure out how to reheat pre-made dressing (I think because I was lazy and it was late. I didn’t feel like doing it tonight!) and quit for the evening. I watched a taped show and then the 11:00 PM news.

It scared the crap out of me (I was dozing a little), but the phone rang. WTF? Not even telemarketers call this late.

It was my daughter Melissa. She was sitting in her garage, smoking a cigarette with a space heater on and was cold. I explained she had this all backwards. Ask Carla! It’s southern people who come up to Michigan who are always cold, not a winter-hardened woman who had lived in the shadow of the Mackinac Bridge! I mean, she was like the Queen Troll and Dave used to have to climb on the roof to shovel the snow off it so it wouldn’t buckle and she’s “cold” in North Carolina?

Anyway, we talked about Thanksgivings past and present, family past and present, hidden bookcases and library ladders (we both want one, even though we can both reach the top shelf in an eight-foot high room). We talked a long time, per usual.

But, then she disappeared! I think her phone died or something. I was babbling away about something when I realized she wasn’t there. Unfortunately, she left before I could tell her I love her and wish her and Dave a Happy Thanksgiving. So, I’m doing it now.

Then I went to bed.