It’s finally here. A day with a built in excuse to cook door eight hours and then eat for ten minutes. One thing is true as it was when I was a boy, today is about pie. It’s the only reason I show up. Really true, the pie keeps me coming back. I make pie at Christmas too. Or I would probably skip it. Call it in. Probably why we don’t do anything for the 4th. No pie.
First thing this morning, I mean after tooth brush, and some yogurt, I opened a bottle of fine French champagne for the bride and I to enjoy. Marika loves champagne too. But she is not here. Too bad, so sad, for her. Bubbles were very nice. Don’t get them often enough. But always on Christmas and Thanksgiving. And def first thing in the morning.
This holiday we are not having a crowd. Emily will cook for a crowd, but there is only going to be four of us. Marikas boy-toy, Jutt, will be our fourth. And, I made three pies, so I am one to talk.
About now, Marika returned from Dixon. Poor timing on her part, she will be enlisted to help prepare dinner. Haha. I gave her a glass of champagne which always improves her mood and makes her more compliant.
The next five hours were all thanksgiving prep. You can imagine the work. At 2pm the turkey went in. And we relaxed a bit. Jutt showed at about 3 and we were off to the races. We sat and enjoyed a cocktail. And a small charcuterie. Chatted about things. You know, things. Talked about Jutt’s previous thanksgiving, ours is his second of the day. He had one with his fam earlier today around noon or one.
Our turkey was ready around 5. When the turkey comes out it’s mealtime. I carved up the bird while others brought the rest of the food to the table. See, if you only have one task, you wont have anything else to do.
I probably don’t have to describe eating. The meal is just like everyone else’s in America. At our house the food is fantastic. We have wine, so so this year, and we eat a lot. Shocking. I know we enjoy it. The eating at least, not so much the cleanup. Or the prep. This year every part of the meal we made turned out perfectly, which is worth noting. It often does not happen that way. Some years are a complete bust. This must be a reward for all the practice we have had.
After our meal we did the usual. Unbutton the pants and relax. I made more cocktails for all of us. I had a Kahlua and cream, something I have not had in years. Long time. Emily went the same route and had a drink she used to enjoy long ago. Maybe that’s a thing to get sentimental at holidays, I don’t usually.
Good news. Time to eat pie. It’s been since last Christmas, and I am ready. I whipped some cream, and brought it and all three pies to the table. Personally, I have a piece of everything. They are my faves and I can’t think of a reason not to. I love pie. The lemon was tart with perfect meringue. The pecan was almost like eating a candy bar with gooey filling and nutty crunch. And the pumpkin was exactly what I want it to be. I think everyone else enjoyed them. I really wasn’t paying attention. They can Yelp me if they want. I love pie.
After dinner was the usual. We cleaned up and put away food. Em and I sat and finished watching Home Alone while the other two played dominoes. That’s our day.
it’s close to midnight and all are asleep except me. I will be soon. Emily is snoring like a chainsaw so it may take awhile. Good night.