HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN:
Okay, that title is so silly. But are we all crazed? With travel or
plans or cooking? Or not?
I have to write my 1000 words today, and do laundry,
and somehow find three pies to take to our pals' house tomorrow for
Thanksgiving.
I'm missing my dear family, spread far and wide. And
missing my mom. And almost inspired to make black cherry Jell-o mold with black
cherries, a staple at our Thanksgiving dinners since the sixties.
My mom and stepfather were married on Thanksgiving,
and coming home for that anniversary/holiday was always a command performance. Now, although no one lives there
anymore, I am counting blessings like mad. What a tender time of year.
I know we're all busy--so quickly, what are you all up
to today?
HALLIE EPHRON: Today we're traveling to Brooklyn to be
with the people I love most in this world, counting my blessings all the way.
Tomorrow we cook!
JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: Well, we had plans to travel
for Thanksgiving to Lake Forest, IL. (You may remember the Sailor is stationed
at Great Lakes, just a little way up the road.) We were finally going to do the
big city Thanksgiving getaway - see the huge parade, stay in the wonderful Deer
Path Inn and eat out instead of cooking.
Then the Sailor pulled duty on Thanksgiving Day. Plus,
he found out today and Friday are also regular duty days, which means the only
times we'd be able to see him would be a few hours in the evening. Ugh. Since
he's coming home for two weeks around Christmas (yay!) we decided to can the
plan. And instead - sssh! Don't tell anyone! - we're playing hooky for
Thanksgiving.
We're going to watch the Macy's Parade in our pajamas
in our not-cleaned-for-guests house, then watch the Westminster Dog show, then
eat some of Ross's wonderful lamb stew, which we all like a lot more than
turkey, and then we're going out to see Disney's Moana! We'll even have the
best part of the day, since a neighbor is making us a pie. It feels VERY wicked
and indulgent, and it's just one break in our usual round of hosting/guesting/traveling
to DC for family, but we're all looking forward to it like crazy.
DEBORAH CROMBIE: Julia, yes, the Westminster Dog Show!!!
And the Macy's Parade! I will be watching those, and then we are going to my
aunt's for early-afternoon dinner, and then stopping by to visit with my hub's
family--although I, at least-will not manage to eat TWO Thanksgiving dinners.
I'm only making my traditional Cranberry-Orange-Jalepeno relish, so easy peasy
Thanksgiving for me and I'm really looking forward to it.
Julia, traditionally, we've gone to hub's family on
Christmas Eve, then to mine (aunt, cousins, cousins' kids, and now cousin's
son's baby!) on Christmas Day. Then a couple of years ago we got snowed in on
Christmas Day and it was fabulous!!! I decided that was my new tradition. I do miss seeing my relatives, but so lovely
to stay home with just us and kids and our friend Gigi (and now grandbaby
Wren!!!) Bliss.
LUCY BURDETTE: We will be very very low key too, as
we're gathering with all the fam for Christmas. We were invited to have dinner
with some neighbors, and my contribution will be leek, pepper, butter butter
butter biscuits. (Last year I had a Meniere's dizzy episode after Thanksgiving
so I'll be very cautious. Probably no gravy, sad to say.)
Here's the recipe for the biscuits, which is from the
fabulous CT bakery, Four and 20 Blackbirds:
HANK: Okay, you all. Tell me about the parade. I do
not understand the parade. Why is it fun
to watch?
Reds and readers…do you watch the parade? And we know you’re
crazed, but just check in! What are you doing today? (And as our dear Ramona often asks--how much butter is in your house right now?)
And then—good luck!
Happy Thanksgiving, all! (And just so
you know: tomorrow, turkey tips. Friday, a quiz. Saturday, a fabulous author. And
Sunday—a call to arms.)
