Well, Thanksgiving Day went off without a hitch. No kitchen blunders. No sick infants. No bad weather, beyond a drop in temps that kept us from getting the traditional group picture outdoors.
The almost 20 lb. turkey was exceptionally delicious. Hubby cooked it in the smoker, though he didn't smoke it. We rubbed seasoning salt on it (our homemade recipe is in a previous blog), and an envelope of Lipton's Golden Onion Soup mix. The meat was succulent and very tasty seasoned this way.
Twenty-four of our family enjoyed the turkey, two hams, and a variety of side dishes and desserts provided by various family members. Well, actually, 22 of us enjoyed the dinner...two of the family are infants.
We were surprised and delighted when one of my nephews and his family showed up unexpectedly. They have a baby that we haven't seen (except in e-mail pics) since summer. That baby, and two infants (my great-grandchildren), were the center of attention, naturally.
One of my granddaughters, and my niece, both gorgeous young adults, were dressed very prettily, so I couldn't resist taking close-up snapshots of them. Since we weren't able to get full group shots, individual families took turns gathering on the couch for picture-taking.
It was a noisy, happy, gathering, and we all ate more than we needed, of course. After dinner, I urged everyone to fill containers with leftovers and pie portions to take home with them.
My reasons for being grateful this Thanksgiving are so many, many, many, that I can't possibly list them all.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
A Movie Theater Experience
We arrived at the theater Tuesday evening at 7:20 p.m. for a7:35 p.m. showing of the movie, "Beowulf," and were surprised to find folks lined up and the house dark. After we'd waited in the car a few minutes, lights came on in the theater, and a young man came out. We joined the line to see what the problem was, and were told that when staff arrived for work, they couldn't get in. Fortunately, a projectionist had stayed in the theater when it was closed after the previous showings, and he let the rest of the staff in.
It seems that the theater manager had changed the locks on all the doors, unbeknownst to anyone, and had left town that day, failing to alert the staff, or provide them keys before the evening showings. Staff had tried to call him, but he was out of pocket and didn't answer his phone.
Since ticket-sellers couldn't get into the ticket booth, they asked customers to line up at the concession stand to pay. This caused a delay, since folks also wanted to load up on goodies at the time they paid for a movie. Naturally, because staff couldn't get in earlier, there was no popcorn prepared, and those of us way back in line had to wait until popcorn and other goodies orders were filled for folks ahead of us, before we could pay for our movie.
The staff, who were mightly frustrated themselves, knew that some customers were a bit frustrated, too, so those of us who were there to see "Beowulf" were given free 3-D eyeglasses (I don't know what they normally charge for them). Also, as we left the theater after the movie, we were given complimentary n0-expiration-date tickets to see another movie at the theater. We'll probably use them to see "Sweeny Todd," starring Johnny Depp, in December.
We hope there will be no glitches then, but if there are, we'll just roll with the punches, like we did for "Beowulf." No big deal...just a an unexpected adventure.
It seems that the theater manager had changed the locks on all the doors, unbeknownst to anyone, and had left town that day, failing to alert the staff, or provide them keys before the evening showings. Staff had tried to call him, but he was out of pocket and didn't answer his phone.
Since ticket-sellers couldn't get into the ticket booth, they asked customers to line up at the concession stand to pay. This caused a delay, since folks also wanted to load up on goodies at the time they paid for a movie. Naturally, because staff couldn't get in earlier, there was no popcorn prepared, and those of us way back in line had to wait until popcorn and other goodies orders were filled for folks ahead of us, before we could pay for our movie.
The staff, who were mightly frustrated themselves, knew that some customers were a bit frustrated, too, so those of us who were there to see "Beowulf" were given free 3-D eyeglasses (I don't know what they normally charge for them). Also, as we left the theater after the movie, we were given complimentary n0-expiration-date tickets to see another movie at the theater. We'll probably use them to see "Sweeny Todd," starring Johnny Depp, in December.
We hope there will be no glitches then, but if there are, we'll just roll with the punches, like we did for "Beowulf." No big deal...just a an unexpected adventure.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Beowulf in 3-D
I'd been reading that the movie "Beowulf" features exceptional computer animation, made more exceptional by 3-D effects. So hubby and I decided to go see for ourselves Tuesday evening, and we were impressed. The animated main characters most easily recognizable to us were Anthony Hopkins as the king, John Malkovich as Unferth, and Angelia Jolie as the siren mother of the troll-monster.
This action-packed PG13 movie (for violence and nudity...though there is no objectionable frontal nudity), is based on the classic Beowulf epic poem. It startles the audience with in-your-face spears and swords, burning embers, flying cobblestones, etc. Even when I expected something to fly out at me, I flinched.
The computer animated characters are very realistically detailed, right down to moles, scars, blood vessels, and fine facial hair.
This is not a movie for young children, or for folks who cannot tolerate violence, but for those who, like us, are fascinated with film-making advances, "Beowulf" is a must-see.
This action-packed PG13 movie (for violence and nudity...though there is no objectionable frontal nudity), is based on the classic Beowulf epic poem. It startles the audience with in-your-face spears and swords, burning embers, flying cobblestones, etc. Even when I expected something to fly out at me, I flinched.
The computer animated characters are very realistically detailed, right down to moles, scars, blood vessels, and fine facial hair.
This is not a movie for young children, or for folks who cannot tolerate violence, but for those who, like us, are fascinated with film-making advances, "Beowulf" is a must-see.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Kitchen Blunders
My county fair blue ribbon muffins didn't pass muster tonight. I don't know what went wrong. Oh, they tasted just fine, but they were so crumbly we had to eat them with a fork. I thought I followed the recipe, but obviously I put too much or too little of something in them. Goofing the muffin recipe reminded me of other kitchen blunders around here, like:
*the year I baked a Christmas fruitcake, but forgot to add the fruit;
*the year that Mother made the Thanksgiving dressing, but forgot to put the onions and celery in it (we sauteed them in butter, and guests spooned them over their dressing);
*the year the smoker clogged up and the turkey got all sooty-black. My husband discovered the blackened bird early enough that I was able to wash it thoroughly and throw it in the oven to finish cooking before guests arrived;
*the time Mother took a pizza out of the oven and the topping slithered off onto the oven door;
*the time Mother tried to drain the spaghetti by just holding the lid slightly away from the pot and the spaghetti slithered down the drain;
*the time I made chicken broth for my sick daughter. She was a finicky little girl at the time and didn't like "pieces" in her broth, so I wanted to strain the onions out of it....and I did, but because I failed to put a pan under the strainer, the onions remained while, to my horror, the broth went splashing down the drain.
Thanksgiving is just a few days away. I wonder if another kitchen blunder is waiting to pounce?
*the year I baked a Christmas fruitcake, but forgot to add the fruit;
*the year that Mother made the Thanksgiving dressing, but forgot to put the onions and celery in it (we sauteed them in butter, and guests spooned them over their dressing);
*the year the smoker clogged up and the turkey got all sooty-black. My husband discovered the blackened bird early enough that I was able to wash it thoroughly and throw it in the oven to finish cooking before guests arrived;
*the time Mother took a pizza out of the oven and the topping slithered off onto the oven door;
*the time Mother tried to drain the spaghetti by just holding the lid slightly away from the pot and the spaghetti slithered down the drain;
*the time I made chicken broth for my sick daughter. She was a finicky little girl at the time and didn't like "pieces" in her broth, so I wanted to strain the onions out of it....and I did, but because I failed to put a pan under the strainer, the onions remained while, to my horror, the broth went splashing down the drain.
Thanksgiving is just a few days away. I wonder if another kitchen blunder is waiting to pounce?
Sky-High Pie
Last Saturday night, we went to a charitable event that included a barbeque supper, a silent and live auction, and a variety show.
The variety show featured local talent, of course. Our cable guy was a hoot in a role as an elderly, very slow, auto mechanic, named "Speedy," reminiscent of Tim Conway's skits on the Carol Burnett show. Four local bankers, dressed as the Village People, were hilarious as they led the audience in a rousing rendition of "Y.M.C.A." The local sheriff wowed the crowd with his singing (who knew?). Students from an area visual and performing arts magnet school strings orchestra delighted us with their music, and a local dance company performed an energetic (oh, to be young again) routine from a popular Broadway show.
The live auction preceding the show brought in a tidy sum. Some of the donated items, like ATVs, went for below list price, but a huge lawnmower went for a few thousand above list. Four homemade pies were also auctioned, and we were surprised when a frenzied bidding action escalated to a final $800! The other pies brought in several hundred dollars each, too.
The event ended with audience members standing and waving flags while singing the National Anthem, in tribute to both our veterans, and to our men and women currently serving in the military.
The variety show featured local talent, of course. Our cable guy was a hoot in a role as an elderly, very slow, auto mechanic, named "Speedy," reminiscent of Tim Conway's skits on the Carol Burnett show. Four local bankers, dressed as the Village People, were hilarious as they led the audience in a rousing rendition of "Y.M.C.A." The local sheriff wowed the crowd with his singing (who knew?). Students from an area visual and performing arts magnet school strings orchestra delighted us with their music, and a local dance company performed an energetic (oh, to be young again) routine from a popular Broadway show.
The live auction preceding the show brought in a tidy sum. Some of the donated items, like ATVs, went for below list price, but a huge lawnmower went for a few thousand above list. Four homemade pies were also auctioned, and we were surprised when a frenzied bidding action escalated to a final $800! The other pies brought in several hundred dollars each, too.
The event ended with audience members standing and waving flags while singing the National Anthem, in tribute to both our veterans, and to our men and women currently serving in the military.
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