For me, I don't need a turkey so much as I need to be SURROUNDED by people and spend a month planning and three days cooking and be almost too exhausted to enjoy it by the time we sit down to eat. (Nobody in my family hates turkey, so we always do have one, but one of these years I'm going to decide to go crazy and cook goose instead. Or make everyone their own individual smoked cornish game hen.)

This year, I'll suck it up and have a nice quiet dinner with only 5 people at the table, but next year I want my shindig back.

I ended up accepting KCD's gf's invitation to Thanksgiving at her place. CJ seemed excited about the prospect and it would have just been the two of us otherwise.

We are supposed to bring homemade cranberry sauce. KCD remembers that from past Thanksgivings apparently. But he has also, apparently, forgotten that was made by my mom and the kids. Anyone have a nummy recipe to share? I remember seeing fresh cranberries and orange juice, but that is it.

Yellow Rose of Texas at my maternal grandpa's (not the Confederate version.) He was not from Texas. He just LOVED that melody.

I stained my patio set. I might be a little high on fumes.

I also love "I'll Fly Away".

I am not sure if I will be able to make family Thanksgiving because it is on Saturday, and not Thursday, and we are doing a full costume run of a show on Sunday. Since I do not drive, I can't dp part of the day.

My grandmother loathed "Amazing Grace" but it was my grandfather's favorite hymn ever, so they played this awesome bluesy version with a sort of barrel-roll piano.

Hey, Jess, did you ever get that box?

Anyone have a nummy recipe to share?

Citrus Cranberry Sauce

1 12-oz. package of chopped fresh cranberries, coarsely chopped
1 12-oz. can of orange juice concentrate, thawed
¾ cup sugar
⅓ cup Grand Marnier, or other orange liqueur
¾ tsp ground allspice
1½ tsp lemon zest
1 medium orange, zested and juiced

Mix first six ingredients together. Add zest and juice of orange to bowl. Bring sauce to a boil in a medium saucepan; cover, reduce heat. Simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Simmer uncovered for 5 more minutes. Cool.

Knut just posted this on Facebook, and I may be overtired but it is making me laugh like a loon: [link]

Have marked, thanks Megan.

Note to self: there are holes in the floor between basement and first floor. Eau de stain will seep upstairs. (Windows were cracked, and I may open a few more.)

Thanksgiving is very specific in its meaning for me. It means sarameg comes in from out of town, and maybe I get to see her at Kat's. Before that it was something we objected strenuously to in Canada. And before that it didn't exist.