Adventure 54: Manhattan, KS/Post K

Miss Jane's recipe for cranberry jello salad bottom right.

Wikipedia (Who can trust it?) dispelled one of my long held myths. The tryptophan shock I'm enjoying right now isn't caused by turkey, but the garlic mashed potatoes, sausage stuffing, bread stuffing, sweet potatoes, cranberry jello salad with whipped cream, fresh green beans sautéed in butter and onions, and crescent rolls all smothered in brown gravy just might have exceeded my daily carbohydrate requirement. It seems that some scientific studies have shown that a binge load of carbos causes that old "sleepy" feeling. Today's carbo loading began around 9 A.M. with a simple German breakfast of semel with meats and cheese, or jelly and cheese or both plus fruit.  We sat down for the Thanksgiving mega-load around 1 P.M.  In between, we justified our 5 O'clock mini-load with a casual walk around a mostly comatose Manhattan. Our 5 O'clock helping (Prepared much like a fire drill in its urgency) involved a bucket brigade of moving leftovers from the garage to the counter so we could fill our plates again. Judy was beside herself trying to decide whether to eat more gravy or not, and Rod and I just had to have another helping of last night's chocolate dessert. Around six, we ushered Wib and Arlene out the door on their way back to Newton. They had their arms filled with obligatory tin-foil wrappers filled with turkey, rolls, potatoes, dressing, and pie. Oh, wait! I forgot the pie. We squeezed a piece of pumpkin pie somewhere in between the mega-load and the mini-load.  What's more, it's not out of the realm of possibility to top this day of Thanksgiving with a bed time nosh (I can barely keep my eyes open now).  One quite funny incident occurred during the clean up brigade (We share the work, too). The metal tray that the roasting turkey rested on as it was baking just disappeared. No one could find it. We all looked, even in unlikely places. Then, all of a sudden, like magic, it appeared cleverly disguised as the bottom tray of the dishwasher. We've had several of these silly, laughter inducing events this week. That's what makes the memories. It's sort of like when we buy our kids the expensive plastic, and they mostly enjoy playing with the cardboard box. The lesson is in the small things. Food and tradition, and near catastrophe aside, we're thankful to be with family, thankful we can enjoy bountiful excess, and thankful that the magic of technology allowed us to connect with our loved ones. Rod and Karen had face time with their son Kirk and his family, and both daughters. Judy and I talked with our kids, and grandkids. Sawyer sent us an e-mail from Mexico, and Kel babe called from Madison where he was enjoying Thanksgiving with Mrs. Kim, Mr. Micah, and Miss Kate. It's also nice to know that almost every one we know is enjoying much the same experience. We all realize that much of our good fortune is merely the gift of grace. We all realize that we're among the privileged.  But today, inequity in the world isn't our prime concern. Good families take work, commitment, and love. They are not free, and much good fortune is the result of good preparation.  As far as I'm concerned, it's OK to relish a little in a job well done. Nevertheless, I will bend my heart in gratitude before I fall asleep, for my usual mantra: Life is good, especially today is especially true today.

 Amazingly fresh beans expertly prepared by Karen.

 Despite the discussion of which technique is best, this brown gravy was eminently slurp-able.

 Arlene rescued the only cooking casualty of the day (The Hunny Bunny forgot the Sweet Potatoes in the basement stove).

 Rod picked the dark meat from the bones; I carved the breasts:).

 The spread (The sisters enjoyed their mother's favorite-turkey necks-which is the brown plate at the left).

 Even Coco got a taste.

 My first plate.

 Mimi and Pop pops face timing the kids.

 Classic, but I doubt it will see the light of day. Can you say bedtime snack?

 The tryptophan trio.

 Can you find the missing metal grate?

 More tryptophan sufferers, except for Rod-the Cowboys' win revved him up.

 Semel warming in the toaster oven for the mini-course.

 The Hunny Bunny working the snack brigade.

 The sisters learning how to take "Judy Bites".

 My mini-course plate at the 5 O'clock nosh.

  The Friesens (Micah is just to the right) thanks to the magic of technology.