The LIW Small Talk Thread

[Jessie702]

OMG TOO- im cooking my first thanksgiving dinner this year from start to finish! I just bought C's and my turkey! Im slightly worried, but excited

 

[TooPatient]

OMG TOO- im cooking my first thanksgiving dinner this year from start to finish! I just bought C's and my turkey! Im slightly worried, but excited

It'll be great!

Relax and have fun! (I know... not very easy to relax about and this will be my 7th year!) Let me know if you need any recipes or anything.

BIGGEST important thing to remember -- thaw the turkey all the way and leave plenty of time. (watch Alton Brown's Good Eats for great tips on how to thaw!)

It might help if you figure out your menu now and even consider writing to-do lists for each day of cooking. (you can see mine below) The years I go in knowing what I'm doing on each day (and what order it has to be done in to keep from running out of room in the oven!) are actually pretty "relaxed" and uneventful. The year I was too busy to write it all out, the turkey didn't thaw in time and we had Thanksgiving dinner at 2:00 AM


My usual Thanksgiving dinner for the 2 of us:

18-20 pound turkey
GRAVY!!! (must have -- I start with chicken stock & white wine in the bottom of the roasting pan to maximize flavor)
10 pounds roasted garlic mashed potatoes
dinner rolls
apple/almond/cranberry stuffing (made with homemade bread)
sweet potato & ginger tsimmis
1 lb cranberry relish (B makes this)
3 lb cranberry sauce (chunky, cooked yummy-ness)
brussel sprouts in garlic/lemon
pumpkin pie (x2)
sweet potato pie (x2)
pecan pie

2 days before (Tuesday) -
THAW TURKEY
Roast pumpkin & sweet potatoes for pies
toast pecans for pie
quadruple check to make sure all ingredients are ready!
bake bread for stuffing
make chicken stock (for stuffing & bottom of roasting pan)

1 day before (Wednesday) -
put turkey in mega bucket with brine (salt, sugar, orange juice, ginger, cloves, allspice, pepper, other spices)
prepare crusts for pies, bake pies
cranberry relish
season & dry bread for stuffing
roast sweet potatoes for tsimmis
blend ginger/lime/butter for tsimmis

Day of (plus anything not quite done from days before):
prepare onions/celery/apples for stuffing
mix stuffing
stuff turkey
prepare herbs to rub on turkey (and then rub)
turkey in oven
prepare dough for dinner rolls & bake (figuring out how to fit mega pan in oven with turkey...)
garlic in to roast
slice sweet potatoes for tsimmis
tsimmis in to cook
cut potatoes & boil (for mashed)
cranberry sauce
partially cook brussel sprouts
turkey out
GRAVY
final cook of brussel sprouts
EAT FOOD!!!

 

[blackkatya]

Biology and Chemistry? You all are so brave, lol. I just stuck to math.

Not brave -- just told I HAVE to take it!..... of course I will do anything I can to avoid taking biology (luckily physics & chemistry meet the same learning areas so I should escape without it!)


What are you going to school for? (or went to school for)

I'm finishing up my undergrad degree in mathematics this May. My plan is to apply to graduate programs to study statistics. I'm turning into the perpetual student, it seems.

 

[Jessie702]

OMG TOO- im cooking my first thanksgiving dinner this year from start to finish! I just bought C's and my turkey! Im slightly worried, but excited

It'll be great!

Relax and have fun! (I know... not very easy to relax about and this will be my 7th year!) Let me know if you need any recipes or anything.

BIGGEST important thing to remember -- thaw the turkey all the way and leave plenty of time. (watch Alton Brown's Good Eats for great tips on how to thaw!)

It might help if you figure out your menu now and even consider writing to-do lists for each day of cooking. (you can see mine below) The years I go in knowing what I'm doing on each day (and what order it has to be done in to keep from running out of room in the oven!) are actually pretty "relaxed" and uneventful. The year I was too busy to write it all out, the turkey didn't thaw in time and we had Thanksgiving dinner at 2:00 AM


My usual Thanksgiving dinner for the 2 of us:

18-20 pound turkey
GRAVY!!! (must have -- I start with chicken stock & white wine in the bottom of the roasting pan to maximize flavor)
10 pounds roasted garlic mashed potatoes
dinner rolls
apple/almond/cranberry stuffing (made with homemade bread)
sweet potato & ginger tsimmis
1 lb cranberry relish (B makes this)
3 lb cranberry sauce (chunky, cooked yummy-ness)
brussel sprouts in garlic/lemon
pumpkin pie (x2)
sweet potato pie (x2)
pecan pie

2 days before (Tuesday) -
THAW TURKEY
Roast pumpkin & sweet potatoes for pies
toast pecans for pie
quadruple check to make sure all ingredients are ready!
bake bread for stuffing
make chicken stock (for stuffing & bottom of roasting pan)

1 day before (Wednesday) -
put turkey in mega bucket with brine (salt, sugar, orange juice, ginger, cloves, allspice, pepper, other spices)
prepare crusts for pies, bake pies
cranberry relish
season & dry bread for stuffing
roast sweet potatoes for tsimmis
blend ginger/lime/butter for tsimmis

Day of (plus anything not quite done from days before):
prepare onions/celery/apples for stuffing
mix stuffing
stuff turkey
prepare herbs to rub on turkey (and then rub)
turkey in oven
prepare dough for dinner rolls & bake (figuring out how to fit mega pan in oven with turkey...)
garlic in to roast
slice sweet potatoes for tsimmis
tsimmis in to cook
cut potatoes & boil (for mashed)
cranberry sauce
partially cook brussel sprouts
turkey out
GRAVY
final cook of brussel sprouts
EAT FOOD!!!

Good Lord, you have it down to a science. Im wondering if my Turkey will be good enough, its only 12 lbs, and there will be 5 of us. C did order a Pheasent also, though I wont be partaking in that. I wonder If i should make a small ham the day before, just to make sure we have enough.

I was thinking we would do Turkey, Stuffing, Cranberry Sauce, Mac and Cheese, Green Bean cassrole( C likes it, YUK!), Rolls, Potato salad, than Sweet Potato Pie, and Chocolate Cake. I can make the Pies 2 days prior, along with the cake. The day before, I was going to mac and cheese, tater salad, and turkey, but i wonder if the skin will still be crispy the day of? Maybe I can put the turkey on low before we leave for our friends house for lunch. Would that be safe or no?? We have a TINY oven, and ill be attempting this slowly.

 

[Jessie702]

Would it be weird to have like Lasgna as back up for enough turkey or no??

 

[TooPatient]

Would it be weird to have like Lasgna as back up for enough turkey or no??

I don't think it would be weird. All families and regions have their own traditions. My family makes this pistachio pudding thing (pistachio pudding mix, cool whip, canned fruit, mini marshmallows) that lots of people would look at as "weird".


If you can avoid it, don't cook the turkey the day before. The skin will not be crispy and you run the risk of having the meat dried out.

 

[Jessie702]

Would it be weird to have like Lasgna as back up for enough turkey or no??

I don't think it would be weird. All families and regions have their own traditions. My family makes this pistachio pudding thing (pistachio pudding mix, cool whip, canned fruit, mini marshmallows) that lots of people would look at as "weird".


If you can avoid it, don't cook the turkey the day before. The skin will not be crispy and you run the risk of having the meat dried out.

Thank you so much Too, You have really helped me. So I told my mom, I wont be doing thanksgiving with her, she took it better than I thought she would. She even told me when to cook the turkey, she said to get up around 8, have the turkey on before 9, and than slow cook it to 1. She said let it cool in the oven while we are gone, and than just warm it up before dinner.

Hmmmm, I might make another entree, just to make sure we have enough food. Im always worried we wont hae enough, but C also jokes that we have plenty of water.

 

[Jessie702]

O, its my 4 year anni with C, but I have class all day and he is so busy with work.

 

[TooPatient]

O, its my 4 year anni with C, but I have class all day and he is so busy with work.

Congratulations!

Maybe you can have a quiet celebration this weekend?

 

[TooPatient]

I just confirmed the rental truck for tomorrow. We're going to move the office furniture I bought from my work to home (finally!).

I'm so tired and stressed and cranky and worried and frustrated right now. There is just so very very much to do and so little time/energy to get it all done. (and until tomorrow morning, I'm doing NOTHING but physics study!)

Exam tomorrow. Another exam just after Thanksgiving weekend (Tues, but no class Mon so exam is the first class after 5 day weekend). Final exams the next week.

Oh... and we have a friend from out of state flying up to stay with us. Not sure when. Maybe start of December (finals week!!). Maybe between Christmas and New Year's (no class during this time, so that would be best). Could be February? Not sure how long.
Millie is currently sleeping in the guest room so we have to start transitioning her to the living room for night (she doesn't sleep out there now because I'm afraid she'll chew up books or furniture.... since she already has...). We'll also need new sheets (maybe even all new comforter set) and a lamp.... At least! (New towels would be nice since ours are getting pretty rough and thin. Getting the books out of the closet so there is a closet for him to use when he visits would be good too -- or at least a hook for a robe or something.
He's a great guy and has been B's friend forever. I met him in person for the first time when he came up and stayed with us a couple of years ago. I'd like to make sure he is comfortable and has a nice visit.

Our current list of projects to do around the house (would be good to get as many done as possible before guests come over...):
replace the fence on one side of the yard (originally put in by neighbor, but is absolutely rotting and probably won't stand this winter)
determine if toilet is leaking, repair (probably replace baseboard too)
baseboard for the kitchen
window sill (need a nice finished wood board to finish up the window)
kitchen blinds
touch up white paint (where I got the colored paint...)
storage shelves in kitchen (clears out our bulk foods from the dining room so it isn't as cramped)
crown molding in 2 bathrooms (or get good enough at painting that it looks nice without )
pressure wash deck (got moss growning...)
install lights in office
patch resulting holes (from office lights... holes will be in hallway )
find something to cover (or make use of) the hole in the kitchen sink that had been the air gap
remove instant hot water (find cover for this hole too)
Crown molding in theater room
Sew curtains for theater room (have material & rod... just have to sew them)
And on and on and on and on......

 

[Jessie702]

I just confirmed the rental truck for tomorrow. We're going to move the office furniture I bought from my work to home (finally!).

I'm so tired and stressed and cranky and worried and frustrated right now. There is just so very very much to do and so little time/energy to get it all done. (and until tomorrow morning, I'm doing NOTHING but physics study!)

Exam tomorrow. Another exam just after Thanksgiving weekend (Tues, but no class Mon so exam is the first class after 5 day weekend). Final exams the next week.

Oh... and we have a friend from out of state flying up to stay with us. Not sure when. Maybe start of December (finals week!!). Maybe between Christmas and New Year's (no class during this time, so that would be best). Could be February? Not sure how long.
Millie is currently sleeping in the guest room so we have to start transitioning her to the living room for night (she doesn't sleep out there now because I'm afraid she'll chew up books or furniture.... since she already has...). We'll also need new sheets (maybe even all new comforter set) and a lamp.... At least! (New towels would be nice since ours are getting pretty rough and thin. Getting the books out of the closet so there is a closet for him to use when he visits would be good too -- or at least a hook for a robe or something.
He's a great guy and has been B's friend forever. I met him in person for the first time when he came up and stayed with us a couple of years ago. I'd like to make sure he is comfortable and has a nice visit.

Our current list of projects to do around the house (would be good to get as many done as possible before guests come over...):
replace the fence on one side of the yard (originally put in by neighbor, but is absolutely rotting and probably won't stand this winter)
determine if toilet is leaking, repair (probably replace baseboard too)
baseboard for the kitchen
window sill (need a nice finished wood board to finish up the window)
kitchen blinds
touch up white paint (where I got the colored paint...)
storage shelves in kitchen (clears out our bulk foods from the dining room so it isn't as cramped)
crown molding in 2 bathrooms (or get good enough at painting that it looks nice without )
pressure wash deck (got moss growning...)
install lights in office
patch resulting holes (from office lights... holes will be in hallway )
find something to cover (or make use of) the hole in the kitchen sink that had been the air gap
remove instant hot water (find cover for this hole too)
Crown molding in theater room
Sew curtains for theater room (have material & rod... just have to sew them)
And on and on and on and on......

Good Lord Hon, your to do list is soo long. Im sorry you are stressed, its that time of the year, and you have a lot going on. Just take a few things on at a time, and dont over extend yourself, your still getting over a cold.

Study for your exams first too, thats most important... if you dont pass, than thats going to stress you out even more.

I cant wait to see the new office furinture, if you get a chance to take a breather and get pictures of it. If not, i completely understand.

No quiet weekend, for us, its his best friends birthday, and we are taking him to see a concert on saturday night. No celebrations for us....*sigh*, maybe next year we will do something, it will be our 5th year.

 

[TooPatient]

Start planning now for your 5th anniversary! Put it on the calendar and don't let anything push it aside.


Exams first.

Stuff around the house later. We'll get the furniture in the house tomorrow and I'll get it arranged and stuff plugged in over the weekend. Other than that, most of the rest will have to wait until after finals.

I did suggest that we look at fence material this weekend. We want to just replace the supporting pieces this winter and then replace the whole section next summer. Should just be 10-12 boards and B can do that while I study..... weather permitting.


They said SNOW in the forcast... for our elevation.... as early as tonight
It isn't supposed to stick but still! It is too early!!!

 

[Jessie702]

Start planning now for your 5th anniversary! Put it on the calendar and don't let anything push it aside.


Exams first.

Stuff around the house later. We'll get the furniture in the house tomorrow and I'll get it arranged and stuff plugged in over the weekend. Other than that, most of the rest will have to wait until after finals.

I did suggest that we look at fence material this weekend. We want to just replace the supporting pieces this winter and then replace the whole section next summer. Should just be 10-12 boards and B can do that while I study..... weather permitting.


They said SNOW in the forcast... for our elevation.... as early as tonight
It isn't supposed to stick but still! It is too early!!!

Sounds good, im glad you have a plan! It makes life a little easier.

Ooooo, I so wish we got snow here. It gets chilly, but no snow. I so want a white christmas.

 

[TooPatient]

I just failed my physics exam. She'll have graded on Monday, but I am quite certain that it is a failing grade. (not much hope when all 5 questions get left almost blank -- I did the best I could to draw pictures, show equations, work with those equations, etc so I'll get some partial credit)

 

[Jessie702]

I just failed my physics exam. She'll have graded on Monday, but I am quite certain that it is a failing grade. (not much hope when all 5 questions get left almost blank -- I did the best I could to draw pictures, show equations, work with those equations, etc so I'll get some partial credit)

Im sorry Hon, I feel bad about you failing, but I know what its like. I just failed my bio exam.

 

[TooPatient]

I just failed my physics exam. She'll have graded on Monday, but I am quite certain that it is a failing grade. (not much hope when all 5 questions get left almost blank -- I did the best I could to draw pictures, show equations, work with those equations, etc so I'll get some partial credit)

Im sorry Hon, I feel bad about you failing, but I know what its like. I just failed my bio exam.

I'm sorry! I know you've been studying lots for that one.

Well.... I guess we just keep going and do our best.


I am so right now. Expecting an arguement in just a little bit.

 

[Jessie702]

I just failed my physics exam. She'll have graded on Monday, but I am quite certain that it is a failing grade. (not much hope when all 5 questions get left almost blank -- I did the best I could to draw pictures, show equations, work with those equations, etc so I'll get some partial credit)

Im sorry Hon, I feel bad about you failing, but I know what its like. I just failed my bio exam.

I'm sorry! I know you've been studying lots for that one.

Well.... I guess we just keep going and do our best.


I am so right now. Expecting an arguement in just a little bit.

Why an arguement??? What, whats wrong???


Thats all I keep doing is trying my best.

 

[TooPatient]

I just failed my physics exam. She'll have graded on Monday, but I am quite certain that it is a failing grade. (not much hope when all 5 questions get left almost blank -- I did the best I could to draw pictures, show equations, work with those equations, etc so I'll get some partial credit)

Im sorry Hon, I feel bad about you failing, but I know what its like. I just failed my bio exam.

I'm sorry! I know you've been studying lots for that one.

Well.... I guess we just keep going and do our best.


I am so right now. Expecting an arguement in just a little bit.

Why an arguement??? What, whats wrong???


Thats all I keep doing is trying my best.

Nothing major. Just something that really rubs me wrong and when added to the context of life may be a little thing that is more significant than it should be. Or maybe it is significant?

 

[Jessie702]

I just failed my physics exam. She'll have graded on Monday, but I am quite certain that it is a failing grade. (not much hope when all 5 questions get left almost blank -- I did the best I could to draw pictures, show equations, work with those equations, etc so I'll get some partial credit)

Im sorry Hon, I feel bad about you failing, but I know what its like. I just failed my bio exam.

I'm sorry! I know you've been studying lots for that one.

Well.... I guess we just keep going and do our best.


I am so right now. Expecting an arguement in just a little bit.

Why an arguement??? What, whats wrong???


Thats all I keep doing is trying my best.

Nothing major. Just something that really rubs me wrong and when added to the context of life may be a little thing that is more significant than it should be. Or maybe it is significant?

I dont know, its depends on what it is, and how much it rubs you. Also, if its about B, its also significant. Lots of factors

 

[TooPatient]

Yay!

No arguement. Well, small one maybe but it was mostly just a good discussion and was resolved with something I think is good for both of us.

Got to drive the 16 foot truck! (B is AWFUL at driving even 3/4 size pick-up trucks, so I get to do all of the fun driving!) I love it. Lots of fun. Even got to back it into our driveway.

Furniture is in the living room for now. Have to put it in the office tomorrow or Sunday. Looks pretty nice. (not solid wood, but still a lot nicer than the plastic table we're using now). Will add more storage space.

And.....
we're going flying tomorrow!
Got invited to go to lunch with the people with the same airplane we have. We'll meet them at the airport and fly to some place (local, no where too far) to eat.


The weekend is looking up!

Have fun at the birthday thing. Happy anniversary!

 

[TooPatient]

That was fun!

They finished their new paint job on the airplane and it looks great. I got to sit in the front seats with the guy. We flew out over the Puget Sound and went to Bremerton for lunch. Food was good.

Did some formation flying with another airplane after lunch (lunch was with a group of 10 or so pilots) right over the Sound. Wow they can fly close! I mean.... wow!
Then a SUPER tight turn (not sure if it would qualify as aerobatics, but it is an aerobatic plane) that was sort of neat.
We flew right by the Space Needle.
Oh..... and I might have gotten to actually fly the airplane for a few minutes


Hope you're having a good weekend! I'll talk to you later.

 

[Jessie702]

OMG too, that sounds like so much fun.I cant even imagine what that is like.

So we didnt do much this weekend, C's tummy is still bothering him, and he is getting depressed. So not much went on, BUT we did pull out his mothers fine china for thanksgiving, and went thanksgiving dinner shopping. I still need to pick out a few more things, but its pretty much done. YAY...tommorow....the bird gets taken out ...of the ICE BOX

 

[TooPatient]

OMG too, that sounds like so much fun.I cant even imagine what that is like.

So we didnt do much this weekend, C's tummy is still bothering him, and he is getting depressed. So not much went on, BUT we did pull out his mothers fine china for thanksgiving, and went thanksgiving dinner shopping. I still need to pick out a few more things, but its pretty much done. YAY...tommorow....the bird gets taken out ...of the ICE BOX

Tummy trouble is NO FUN!

I love quiet weekends! Thanksgiving shopping and fine china is a pretty busy weekend though.


The office furniture is in place but covered in random cables and stuff waiting to be hooked up. I'll send you pictures this weekend when I can try to get a picture with some light (the only light right now is a small reading lamp ). It all fit pretty okay but we had to move the 3 bookcases downstairs.

 

[Jessie702]

Thanks Too, I cant wait to see the new furniture, and room when its all done.

So C is gonna kill me....I went and bought a bigger turkey, because I feel like our turkey is too small for all 5 of us( I see how much his friends eat), so I donated our small turkey to a local homeless shelter. They feed the homeless every thanksgiving and they make about 1800 thanksgiving meals, so they can use our turkey. So ive got the big bird in the sink right now with cool water( I know, thats not how your suppose to do it, but this is a HUGE bird, well bigger than the other) and im making sweet potato pie right now. Tommorow, im making the mac and cheese and stuffing when the bird is done, that only takes 30 minutes. Ill also make the green bean casserole tonight, and wrap it up tight. I bought cooked frozen shrimp for C and his friends to munch on while they watch the football game. The last thing to go in the oven tommorow will be the rolls, and they take about 14 minutes, and can cook while he craves the bird. Man, im glad thanksgiving only comes once a year

Have you started at all yet??/ O and Happy Thanksgiving!!!

 

[Jessie702]

Change of plan for the old turkey....its on its way to the rubbish dump....my mom threw it away on accident this morning.Thank God, I went and picked up another

 

[TooPatient]

Change of plan for the old turkey....its on its way to the rubbish dump....my mom threw it away on accident this morning.Thank God, I went and picked up another

Eek!

At least you got a new one!


Thawing in cool water is actually what we do. If you turn the water on a bit to just drip in the sink of water it will thaw a LOT faster. I usually set the turkey (still in packaging) in a roasting pan and then set that in the bathtub to sit and have water dripped. Just have to turn over every now and then until thawed.


Haven't started yet

 

[Jessie702]

Change of plan for the old turkey....its on its way to the rubbish dump....my mom threw it away on accident this morning.Thank God, I went and picked up another

Eek!

At least you got a new one!


Thawing in cool water is actually what we do. If you turn the water on a bit to just drip in the sink of water it will thaw a LOT faster. I usually set the turkey (still in packaging) in a roasting pan and then set that in the bathtub to sit and have water dripped. Just have to turn over every now and then until thawed.


Haven't started yet

C is so PISSED about the old turkey. Thank goodness, he is at work, so he cant talk to my mom. I set mine in the sink, and put cold water in the sink and changed the water every hour. Its just about thawed out, So i put it back in the refrigator, until tommorow. I just baked 4 sweet potato pies, and im leaving one for my mom. We dont need 4, and they came out so good.

 

[TooPatient]

MMMmmmm..... sweet potato pies


We're going to my grandparents' house today for dinner. Should be interesting... I haven't been in a long time (7 or 8 years?) because every family gathering left me somewhere between massively depressed and massively depressed while leaving in tears...

We'll see. Many of the people I don't want to see aren't going to be there and I really do want to spend more time with my grandparents (B likes them too).


We're cooking our turkey tomorrow for Shabbat dinner.


Happy Thanksgiving!
I hope you have a wonderful dinner with great company and nothing but happy memories.

 

[TooPatient]

How'd your dinner go?

 

[Jessie702]

Hey Too- Sorry I havent checked in. Its been a BUSY week. I have had 4 papers due this week and a quiz. Finals is in 2 weeks, and I cant wait until winter break.

How did you thanksgiving go?

Dinner went wll, actually MUCH better than i thought it would. LoL....the bird was a bit dry, but thats what gravy is for. My stuffing was SUPER moist, the mac and cheese was cheesey, the green beans were pretty tasty, and the sweet potatoe pie was the BEST ive ever tasted. It was better than my moms. It went great, the night would have been better if my FI friends wife didnt take up all the room on the couch, i would have enjoyed sitting on it after cooking all day . But theres nothing I can do about her rudeness, but complain. .

How are things for you. Im just about done Christmas Shopping, I only need to purcahse 1 more gift and thats it!! Im so excited, I can spend the rest of my money on me . I bought C a new vacuum, a St. Louis Cardinal Toaster, It burns the teams embalm ont he toast. He also got a sweater, and the book he has been wanting by his favorite rocker. Ill buy him a "us" gift also, but closer to christmas, that way we can use it. LoL...I bought my mom a steam mop, a necklace and some stuff to make the house smell good. I bought our friends daughter, shes 16, a bath set that is like bubblegum. We are giving it to her this weekend, she is leaving for FL the week of finals. I wanted her to see the house, since its all christmasy, and I want to make christmas cookies with her, and take her to this place called " Festival of Lights". You drive though it slow, and the city puts up all these lights. It goes for charity and is 12 bucks, but its 2 miles of lights. I firgured Id make a big thing of hot chocolate and we can eat our cookies and drink the hot chocolate while driving through. I feel bad for her, because her parents, his friends, are bad parents. She isnt allowed to do anything or go anywhere. She cant have friends over, and they are tough on her. I firgure this coudl help her be a bit more normal. Somethign about her bring out my maternal side. Than I got C's friends Wife a bath set( WAS CHEAP, NOT GONNA LIE) AND smelly stuff for the house. They cant afford to get us anything, because both C's friend and the wife are out of work.