So...whats for dinner?

auntienance

Susan, I would kill for a 7 bone roast. The only way I have been able to get them around here is when we get a side of beef. Outstanding pot roast!

Instead if staling the bread, this year I'm using a recipe that calls for toasting it. I'm anxious to see how that turns out. Stuffing or dressing is the least interesting part of the meal to me. It's dh's favorite.

Aldi has a rather interesting history. The condensed version is that it started as a German company owned by two brothers. They split (over a name I believe), one part became the Aldi operation, the other part was ultimately sold and is now Trader Joe's.

SpecialK

auntie - I was curious so I just looked up Trader Joe's since it originated many years ago in So. California (as did I, lol!) and it looks like it was founded by an individual (Joe Coulombe) in 1967, but sold to the German trust 12 years later - very interesting.  I had no real knowledge about Aldi until my MIL started drinking a white wine called Winking Owl, which has lower alcohol content that she likes, that is carried only by Aldi supermarkets.  I realized there are a couple near me when I wanted to get the wine for a MIL/FIL visit but have not shopped there often, they are not in convenient spots where I run most errands.

luvmygoats

Aldi employs the "rent a cart" system so they don't pay someone to retrieve baskets from the lot. So far the only thing I've tried is "Dark Chocolate covered Gingerbread Hearts". Pronounced them delicious. Soft, squishy when I expected hard, crunchy. I did stock up on choc. I did not find Nancy's orange almond bars but did find raisin nut - I love Cadbury's brand. Hope I like Aldi's as well.

Lacey I like cilantro better now that I don't have a ton wilting in the refrig. Love the cilantro squeezy tube.

Yes I felt like a hunter gatherer. Central Mkt, Tom Thumb, WallyWorld, my local Brookshires again yest. I'm done. There will only be 8 of us maybe 10 if SIL's brother and wife come after all. Am sure food will not be a problem. Passed by Sprouts, TJs and Albertsons, actually drove right in front of the local Sprouts which was a madhouse. I went to Cent. Mkt early and the parking lot was parked in the aisles when I left HaHa. Made sure it was my 1st stop since it was really the most important.

Year b4 last I cooked some real turkey breast - not shrink wrapped - more like meat mkt packed. I cannot find those this year. They were delicious.

Special you are sure right about TJ's. Tiniest parking lots ever. Fresh Market should be open here I think in the spring. Just when all my doc appts ramp up.

I buy lots of day old bread and freeze. Right now I have 12 or so whole grain croissants in there waiting to become french toast casserole for Christmas. I rarely see these at my grocery. Not sure croissants have much market out here - that is except for me.

Lovely to hear from you Joyce. Glad Rick has good friends like you and your DH. Miss Michelle bunches.

M0mmyof3

I'm not so thrilled with Aldi's, I prefer Save a Lot over Aldi's, if I'm just picking up a few necessities and don't want to go to either of the local grocery chain stores. Better selection at Save a Lot than Aldi's.

eric95us

took my mom to hospital ed..chest pains, altered mental state..... :-(

susan_02143

oh Eric. Hope it is just a bit of dehydration.....

Lacey12

Oh dear...so sorry Eric. Hope her crisis passes and is resolved with minimal medical intervention. Thoughts with you and your family.....

luvmygoats

Yes Eric prayers for your mom. Dehydration or UTI are what I always suspect.

auntienance

oh Eric, I'm so sorry. Hoping it's easily resolved.

MinusTwo

Eric - We'll all be sending prayers & hugs. It's so much harder to be in the hospital over a holiday. Hope it's a short stay.

carolehalston

Had never heard of the German supermarket.  Aldi? 

Eric, hope nothing serious is wrong with your mother.  I remember the 7 bone roasts but seldom buy pot roasts any more.  I find I like fresh pork roasts much better, especially seasoned with green onions, cayenne pepper and garlic.  We cut deep slits and stuff them with the seasoning.  Nothing smells better than when the roast is cooking. 

DH and I arrived in central IL about 1 pm today.  By 2 pm it had begun snowing.  Perfect timing!

Joyce, great to hear from you.  We all miss Michelle.  Glad that you and your dh have become such good friends of Michelle's dh.

Moon, happy Thanksgiving to you. 

And to everybody else!  Those who check in and those who have been MIA. 

eric95us

they're keeping her at the hospital...

MinusTwo

Eric - we'll be here. Let us know when you can.

M0mmyof3

Eric hope your mother will be okay.

SpecialK

eric - thinking of you and your mom - a holiday in the hospital is always hard, for all involved - had that situation with my mom many times. Hoping she is good as new asap!

Moonflwr912

eruc, praying for your Mother. Hope she gets better fast.

My brother called and I asked what he was doing tomorrow. He said his sister in law and her child were coming over. Then he asked me. I answered I was thinking of tossing in the turkey breast for myself and he felt sorry enough for me to invite me. LOL. Guess the breast can wait! LOL.

eric95us

Thanks everyone. I left to take her to an INR check at 9am and on the way home at 10:30, I decided to take the 1/4 mile detour to the hospital ED. They have an EMT in the drive up ED patient unloading area to help with unloading and to alert the folks in back as to what might be coming through the door. A 96 year old with a history of A-fib complaining of feeling cold and elephant on chest before losing consciousness and finally going limp (to the point where I checked for a pulse as I pulled into the patient unloading area), hits all the magic words for the triage RN to be standing at the entrance door with a room assignment.

I got home around 7:30 at night and went out to eat--getting home around 9, so all the meal planning is messed up.

By the evening she was starting to come around and wanting to go home, but they want to watch her for a day or so and do more tests to see if they can figure out what happened.

On top of that, MIL doesn't feel well enough to be coming over tomorrow, so it'll be just the three of us.....

susan_02143

Eric, many good thoughts headed to your two Mothers.

Turkey cooked quickly this year. Here he is, all ready an hour before schedule.

*susan*

auntienance

Susan, he's a beaut!

Eric, sending some good thoughts your way.

Happy thanksgiving my frIends!

eric95us

Susan, I hope that's string and not 2 pair wiring :-) Seriously though, how did you get the skin to turn out like that?

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.... I'm going to head to the hospital and see mom. There's been lots of phone calls from the PT and RN folks, but not from mom.

Edited to add... I just realized it is the wire to the thermometer........

Moonflwr912

Erick, I hope everything is ok.

Susan that looks yummy

Good luck here is why my DH couldn't (alright, I wouldn't let him drive 3 hours in that! LOL)

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.

susan_02143

Well, Thanksgiving is over here. What a lovely day. The Bulgarian family was a wonderful addition to our festivities. The two young girls were so well-behaved, and the cats put on a total show much to their delight. I was able to take a few pictures, though I never managed any of the desserts which were magnificent. So at the risk of boring you to death, here is a series of photos L to R:

Green bean and pea pod salad with orange and hazelnut salad, marinated mushrooms [back], green tomato relish [front], cranberry-orange compote [back], mashed taters [front], vegetarian gravy [back] and turkey gravy [front].

butternut squash, corn with shallots and chives.

Dried and fresh fruit stuffing [not stuffed, and sliced half a turkey, turkey plates.

Dessert was an apple pie, a pumpkin roll served as a trifle, and a walnut tart which tasted like a praline. Just rich and brilliant. There was ice cream and whipped cream, and of course a bit of coffee.

The aftermath.....

Dying embers.

Happy thanksgiving to all my Dinner Buddies!

*susan*

auntienance

A beautiful spread and what looks and sounds like a lovely day Susan.

MinusTwo

Susan - thanks for sharing. Everything looks wonderful.

Ruth's Chris provided a good meal - rib eye steak, creamed spinach, marinated mushrooms, garlic mashed potatoes, hot bread, turtle cheesecake. We started w/a salad of baby greens and after the first bite I discovered a tooth had broken off - one past the middle two. At least I didn't swallow it and it doesn't hurt so I left a voice mail for my dentist to see if I can get in Monday. Hope I don't need an implant but I'm not sure there's enough of a "stub" left for a crown. Sigh.

Eric - still sending wishes for your Mother.

Lacey12

Wow, Minus, that certainly wasn't a nice addition to your Ruth's Chris' outing! The rest sounds delightful!

And Susan, such food porn! Yummmmm! I could never be bored with pictures of food, even after being involved in food prep for three days. Especially yours! Not sure how I forgot to take any pics today...oh maybe because I was the only kitchen staff until dessert serving time...and a bit frantic as all the offerings were being set out, then eager to start eating while it was all warm. The Wilson Farms turkey was absolutely delish! Thank you again, Susan, for that suggestion. The cranberry salsa was quite a nice "relish" to go with the turkey....savory, a bit sweet and a touch of hot!

Always enjoy having unrushed time with DS2, to catch up on important details in his life. If we ask questions, he readily shares! For which this mother of two males is grateful! He seems very content as he anticipates the next big step in his relationship with Chicago Girl. Pleased for him. It was also touching to hear him give thanks for my current health. Sweet day.....

Hoping things are looking better for your mom and also for your MIL, Eric.

A final HappyThanksgiving all!

M0mmyof3

Dinner is going to be something other than turkey. Might have the leftovers from yesterday, tommorrow!

susan_02143

Eric, How is your Mom doing? Our bird is colored a deep red from the cherry wood smoke. Lovely isn't it?

I have some bread rising so we can have turkey sandwiches, my most favorite part of Thanksgiving. Not sure if it will be ready before lunchtime however, but I had to wait to knead until Mr. 02143 had tightened the head screw that keeps coming loose on the mixer. If not, there are plenty of other food items ready to eat in the fridge. I keep making less food, and people keep eating less.

Today is the end of my vacation. I have a ton of work to complete before Monday morning, so back to the grindstone I go!

*susan*

SpecialK

susan - your turkey is beautiful - love the color!  I vote we all come to your house next year - and I remember the turkey plates - love them too!

eric - how are your mom(s)?

eric95us

I brought my mom home. No one is sure what happened. She is back to normal.

SpecialK

eric - good news on mom being home, uncertain news about not being able to figure out what happened, good news on being back to normal.  I am sure you are concerned and will be keeping an even closer eye on her - I hope she continues to feel well.