My stupid process is still running and I could log off and check tomorrow to see if it finished but I'd rather not have to anything remotely resembling work tomorrow so I'm continuing to babysit the thing. Tiresome

I hope you can get the hip issues resolved quickly, Steph.

I made butternut squash puffs for tomorrow. And I rearranged the living room to make room for the tree, which I’ll be decorating Saturday, along with my annual Lord of the Rings extended edition rewatch. I actually prefer the new configuration in general, so I’ll probably keep it after the tree comes down. Much better flow.

Jeez, Tep, a torn labrum is pretty incapacitating. I hope it's something else and more readily fixed.

I made the cranberry sauce. [Monica: "A monkey could make that!!"]

I stupidly walked away from the stove when it should have been on low, happily burbling away and busting cranberries. But in fact it was still on high, burned off liquid, and set off the smoke alarm. What a dumbass. However, I was able to save it and doctored it with a bunch of off-book ingredients (Campari! Ginger Juice! Liquid Smoke! No wait, not that one!) and it might be my best ever. My pot does not look good.

I then decided to get ahead of the stuffing by cutting the ciabatta loaves up, so I sat on the couch with a cutting board and a big bowl and watched a reaction video. The reactor was watching Saving Private Ryan for the first time so she and I both got weepy.

This morning I took my downstairs neighbor, Jamille, out to brunch. She's a single mom and never has any time for herself, but she sent her son down to her mom's place early (she's driving down tomorrow), so I took her out to fancy Zazie brunch. Then I took her to get a mani-pedi, and I got my nails done. Fun to spend more focused time with her.

EM is coming early tomorrow morning, which is good because I need some cleaning help.

I have to do the stuffing and mashed potatoes but both of those are fairly easy, especially now that I've torn up the bread and I already have turkey stock. The mushroom stew will take some time, and I might make Emmett do the Mac and Cheese after he gets here.

So we'll have six people here and we haven't had that many mouths for several years. It'll be fun.

I cooked last year, so I'm going out with my CT bestie and her mom, my second family in CT. However, I bought greens, sweet potatoes, and cheese, so am going to make an all sides dinner on Saturday or Sunday (becuase that's the best part)

I have unfortunately/fortunately found the perfect recipe for a Nick & Nora manhattan. I sometimes want a drink at home, but not, like, a whole cocktail. I now can make a perfect 2.5 ounce cocktail, which hits the spot exactly.

As it is after midnight EST, Happy Thanksgiving!

As it is after midnight EST, Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving, Vortex!

I decided to do my stuffing tonight since I already had the bread torn up. So that's one big thing done and dusted before I go to bed.

Happy Thanksgiving!!! I am super thankful for all of you!

Jeez, Tep, a torn labrum is pretty incapacitating. I hope it's something else and more readily fixed.

I mean, I feel pretty incapacitated. The pain sucks, and my mobility is pretty compromised. Also, if it is a torn labrum and needs surgery, athroscopic is pretty easy-peasy, as surgeries go. I just really want this fixed.

We are really making an abundance of side dishes for the 7 of us expected to dine together at my brother’s tonight. More than one per person, that’s for sure!!

Hope they don’t mess around and get your hip fixed up soon, Steph!!

Also, if it is a torn labrum and needs surgery, athroscopic is pretty easy-peasy, as surgeries go. I just really want this fixed.

I'm all for fixing. It's just from following my baseball players that have torn labrums, the recovery can take a pretty long time. Anyway! Let's get you fixed up and pain free.

Happy Thanksgiving! EM is here and taking over the kitchen. I have to clean the Guinea Pig cage.

Since I'm only cooking for myself I'm keeping it manageable. Today will be salmon with wild rice, roasted sweet potatoes and kale. At some point I'll make some cranberry muffins, but probably not til Sunday so I can take most of them to work.

I do miss having a Capriotti's in the loop where I could get a Bobbie. [link]

Today will be salmon with wild rice, roasted sweet potatoes and kale.

Salmon with Kale was JZ's favorite. It was our payday meal.

EM and I spent several hours cleaning, and Emmett and Matilda are here on prep duty (they're kibbitzing and laughing which I love to hear). Their guests will be arriving shortly.

I still have gravy, mushroom stew and Mac and Cheese to make (though I will probably press Emmett into duty there). And the turkey, but that's pretty straight forward since I already brined it. I just have to baste.