I’ve written every single day for a month.  I’ve thought about food more.  I’ve tried more recipes this month.  But mostly… I’ve enjoyed knowing that for a few paragraphs every day, nobody’s going to interrupt me.

My month in review should be more than that.  It really should.  But it’s not.  Because sometimes, it’s just really nice to know that somebody’s listening.  And when you don’t know that, it’s nice to know that nobody’s going to stop you midway through your story/rant/explanation and just talk right over you.

See how I was able to explain all of that in one breath?  Wow… that’s great! Having an audience is nice at times.  And interacting with the audience is even better.  But sometimes, it’s nice to say something regardless.

You’ll probably see a lot more of me in the coming month.  I still have an ice cream recipe or two to share with you.  And I fully intend to tell you all about Sam’s Clam Disco (or not…).  But mostly, expect me to talk to you without being interrupted.  ;)

That’s the trick of the week.  If you could be a ladylike broad, that is perfection.  … If you can sneak a little broad in on the weekend.  … If a ladylike person says “What the hell are you talking about?”, she should be able to get away with that because she says it in a ladylike way.
- Elaine Stritch

If you haven’t gotten on the Dinner Party Download bandwagon yet, do it now.  They’re teaching me about Little Dragon and how to be a ladylike broad.  Tell me you don’t want in on this action.

So I went to a hockey game with the boyfriend tonight.  And I really wanted to see a fight.  That didn’t happen.  I was bummed.  My boyfriend was shocked.  I’ve told you before how dainty he thinks I am.  I’m not really.  Although Elaine there has gotten me to wanting to be in a way.

Sometimes I look like this:

cardigan, cupcake, purple swirly frosting, and totally waiting patiently for it

And other times I look like this:

same cardigan, mouth full of meat, totally scarfing a giant turkey leg

So yes, I totally wanted to see a fight at the hockey game.  But I’m also going to spend a half hour doing my hair the morning of the hockey game.  No biggie, ok?

P.S.  It’s not weird that I’m wearing the same outfit in these pictures, is it?  Oh, it is?  Whoops…

The day was amazing really.  It started with egg casserole, gluten free biscuits, and homemade pumpkin butter (recipe to come).  The turkey went into the oven by 10am.  Stuffed with cornbread stuffing and sitting upside down on the roasting rack.  I basted it with olive oil before putting it in the oven.

Who decided what was right side up for a turkey, I’m not really sure.  I sleep stomach side down, and I’ve never once thought I was sleeping upside down.  But whatever.  The turkey’s back was facing upwards.  You get the idea.

Let’s talk logistics: white meat cooks faster than dark meat.  Putting white meat closer to the heat source is about the silliest idea ever then.  It should be the reverse.  Of course, the downside of this is that the “top” of the bird becomes the underside and doesn’t turn that beautiful golden brown color.  It, quite simply, doesn’t look like it “should”.  The obvious solution here is to flip it at the end so the “top” can still get golden brown.

This presents obvious challenges.  14 lbs. is a big bird to completely flip, especially when it’s unbelievably hot.  My mother happens to have these tongs that are like a foot and a half long.  I pretty much shoved them up the turkey’s butt, and with the assistance of my dear little sister, we managed alright.  After the turkey was flipped, I basted the new “top” with olive oil and put it back in the oven.  The turkey was tender, even for leftovers.  I was a little amazed.

A lot of people say that flipping the bird mid-roast is ridiculous.  And while I can definitely understand their point, I’ve never had a turkey so beautiful and so tender.  You just can’t argue with that.