holiday recap

Tuesday I had to go visit a vendor to make sure my samples are ready for the sales meeting that starts on the 1st. I really think I’ve scared this guy because he’s not as confident as he was when I first met him after starting this job. It might also be that I ask a lot of questions and expect a lot from my vendors in return, but damn. How many times to I have to repeat myself or give you the information in hard copy form for you to get what I want? I swear I’m about to lose it with this guy, he’s really nice, but the nice is wearing thin very quickly. So I drive to his office and meet my assistant there who by the way picked me up a large coffee with cream, and brought a box of donuts for me and the screening crew. What a sweetie. Anyway, since I drove in that day I was praying for some kind of luck when it came to driving home. Ya see, I was cooking for 10 people on Thursday and I still hadn’t purchase my bird yet. So after going to the vendors, driving back to work and then trying to get out of there at a reasonable time to get to the store, just wasn’t in the cards for me. It took me over 2 ½ hours to get home. I then hit the grocery store(s) to pick up the things I needed. When home, unloaded the groceries, made something to eat, and hit the sack. I will say this, I did find a fresh 24 lb turkey that I didn’t have to wait until the next week to thaw out. I strongly recommend this route.

Wednesday we were supposed to have a short day so I decided to go in at 10am and then leave at 3pm when the office closed. So I work my ass off trying to get ready for this sales meeting and get out of the office right at 3pm. Of course there was still some shopping and cooking to do when I got home so I’m praying that the traffic from the night before is not going to haunt me this evening. Are you kidding me? Another 2 ½ hours sitting on that damn freeway creepin’ along. I get to the store, pick up my last minute items and head home to start the cooking. So that I wouldn’t have anything to do but throw that bird in the oven in the morning, I whipped up my famous mac and cheese, and the stuffing/dressing, and had a glass or two of wine. What a clever idea. I can remember the days of my mom busting her ass the night before and me along with her making pies and sides for the next day. Another good nights rest is needed so I hit the sack.

Thursday I get up and start cleaning the house. Since I get up so early it’s really hard to sleep in when I finally have a day off. This of course was typical. I awoke way too early. I let Max out and tried to catch a few more zzzzz’s. After tossing and turning I decide it’s time to get up, 7am is going to be as late as I can go. Much better than 5am though. So I get to cleaning and pretty much whip things into shape. At about 9:30am I decide I’d better start getting ol’ Tom ready for the oven. I get him all washed up, and start stuffing little things into his belly, an onion, some stalks of celery, and cloves of garlic. I whip up a little rub and baste him in a little butter and then spread the rub all over him. And then I get out my most favorite trick, the oven cooking bag. Now I remember my mother getting up at the crack of dawn to get the turkey in the oven so that I would be ready by the time we were ready to eat at like 2pm. Those days are over. For that big ass bird it was only going to take almost 3 1/2 hours which fit my dinner schedule perfectly. I shoved him in the bag, put him in the roasting pan (thank the lord I found a large enough one), and put ol’ Tom in the oven. When he was finished, I took him out and placed the side dishes in the oven for their time. Folks started arriving at about 2pm and we had a cocktail or two and had some apps. Now the thing that I loved about this dinner is that everyone brought a side dish that they love. We had corn, cornbread, green bean casserole, some broccoli casserole, chipotle carrots (kick ass hot but really good), sweet potato soufflé, stuffing, mac and cheese, and my Tom turkey. Let me just say, Tom was grubbin’. Everyone couldn’t believe how moist he was. And to my surprise, the gravy turned out pretty good as well (I always freak out about the gravy). Attendees were, Tricia, Zsuzsa, Bora, Steve, Laurie Beth, Tina, Paige, Angela, Brian (doggie day care crush), and myself. I think the girls were surprised at how damn fine doggie day care was. OMG, I’m just glad he was able to make it. I think they were all beginning to think I had made him up. I got a little hello smooch, and an even better goodbye one. Brian brought a frozen shot concoction and had everyone doing shots of vodka and pep schnapps. So of course he was a hit. Anyway the dinner was amazing and we had a great evening. Can’t wait until next year.