Thanksgiving

The marvelous, stealthy magic of traditions makes it so that I cannot tell you when reading Art Buchwald's  Thanksgiving column became one in our house.  All I know is that every year thinking of Miles Standish as Kilometres Deboutish cracks us up, and the line about Thanksgiving being the only day of the year when Americans eat better than the French still elicits a gleeful grin (but also some melancholy for what we're missing in France the other 364 days of the year).  This year, Oliver and Iris totally got it (Eleanor was asleep in Mac's arms), and my Dad laughed as hard as he ever had.

It rained all day in absolute perfect November weather fashion, so we spent the day tending to the turkey and gathering dishes to accompany it and playing board games and even Skyping with baby Henry (such a handsome lad, and very advanced: already doing things well beyond his mere 12 days!). There's much to be said about medieval feasts and medieval recipe books (and they really are cool: many preoccupied with the effects of food - did you know, for example, that a leek tart can make your amorous?), but with Art Buchwald setting the tone (and what a voice - what a life!), I'm more in 1952 (the date of his column) than even the 17th century! And so we enjoyed:

Cranberry Ginger cocktail (take out the vodka and leave in the ginger beer and it's fine for the kids!)
Carrot, Fennel, and Orange Soup (the fennel makes a huge difference!)
Cider-Glazed Turkey (wow oh wow - no basting (none!) and yet delicious - gorgeous caramel color)
Perfect Mashed Potatoes (garlic)
Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta  and Thyme (pretty)
Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges with Smoke Chile Cream (yum yum yum)
Sourdough Stuffing with Sausage, Apples, and Golden Raisins (tons left, all good)
Bourbon Pumpkin Pie (touch o' Bourbon in the whipped cream, too - mmm)

Can't wait to hear about your wonderful menus and meals. In the meantime, here's the last toast of the day to dear friends far away - we love you and miss you and yes, are grateful for you.