Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Is it done yet?



Remember the sayings like, "You can't judged a book by the cover," and "Looks aren't everything," and "It's what is on the inside that counts."

This is the actual real turkey prepared for a Thanksgiving dinner by a local family. The names are not being released to protect them from possible public embarassment. But if you know, them, they are probably still laughing about this Thanksgiving. And will probably always remember it.

Imagine the surprise on the hostess's face when she was about to serve up this turkey to Thanksgiving dinner guests. Now, to be fair, I don't know the story behind the dinner. I am only guessing it went something like this:

Husband says, "I will make the turkey in the deep fryer outside, Honey. You don't have to worry. In 45 minutes, 20 pounds of steaming hot, juicy turkey will be ready and on the table."

The turkey was prepped by marinating and covered with cajun spices. Smelling mouth-wateringly-delicious, even before cooking. The anticipation is almost overwhelming.

Wife goes about her business preparing the elaborate "rest" of the meal. All the trimmings are ready. The table is set with the best china, silver and crystal.

Wife is getting anxious, because the husband and his brother are out by the garage cooking the turkey, telling tales of the recent hunt, guessing on the day they will be out on the lake ice fishing and, perhaps, drinking some ice cold beer.

"Time is up. that bird must be done by now," Husband says.

Much to his surprise when he pulled it out of the fryer it appears to be more of a hunk of charcoal than the star attraction of a Thanksgiving feast.

Wife is horified, but laughs. Perhaps more to shrug off the feeling of, "OMG! What am I suppose to do with this?" She downs a half a bottle of Pino Noir, without the use of a glass.

Well, as it turned out, from what I am told, once the family scraped off all of the burnt skin, the meat inside was actually quite delicious. And quite done. Just not a lot of meat, especially for about 14 people. And just so you know, nobody went hungry. There was a heaping pile of instant mashed potatoes, a little bit of gravy and hot dogs were added to the menu. So far, everyone has survived.

But still, you just have to laugh. And say, "Thank you, God, that wasn't my turkey!"

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

shakin' the tamborine


There are many people in this world with many hidden talents just waiting to be brought up to the surface. This is my young friend Stacy, one of the best tamborine players I have ever met. And I have actually met three.

Apparently, Stacy just picked up the tamborine one day, started shaking and realized she has talent. Now she has her own tamborine and shakes it up with little encouragement. She can hardly resist a good beat. Whenever the music is hot and the mood is right, she just pops up on stage and joins the band. She has never been asked to leave the stage -- at least not by the band members -- and the crowd always enjoys the show.

Her most recent appearance at the Blue Goose in Garrison brought down the house.

Way to go Stacy! Keep on shakin!

I did it! Happy Thanksgiving!


Well, it has been a while since my last post. Forgive me. (I feel like I should be in a confessional or something, but I am lutheran!)

Anyway, Thanksgiving weekend was fabulous! I had such a great time with my family, I just can't even tell you all of it. But I will touch on the highlights and show some pix:

The turkey turned out scrumptious! (If I do say so myself.)

I ended up just throwing the 22 pound stuffed bird in an old roaster with some water in the bottom, covered all with foil and left it alone for about 5 hours. Then, took off the foil and basted it a couple of times.


The smoke detector only went off about three times, if I remember correctly. But it was NOT the turkey that caused the issues. Maybe I spilled something on the bottom of the oven while basting, I am not sure. It just wouldn't be a home-cooked meal by Viv, if the smoke detector did not go off at some point.

I made stuffing that received some pretty high marks from family members. Someone told me to rip apart day-old bread. I am telling you the only ripping I did was rip open the Brownberry bag of nicely cubed stuffing already seasoned and ready to go. I did add a few things to the stuffing, like sausage, onions, celery, apples and more spices -- garlic of course. And some more sage. You just gotta have sage!


My brother peeled and mashed 10 pounds of potatoes to go with our yams. He also made 6 pies! Yummy! Mom made cranberry sauce - homemade (and brought the stuff in the can for the less discriminating in the bunch!), green bean casserole, homemade buns, a bunch of cookies, bars, and all kinds of other stuff.

Everybody helped out in some way and brought something to the table. I am sure I am forgetting something, but needless to say, nobody, not one of us 16 LaMoore's went hungry! (Or thirsty!)

All of the bodies stretched out on the couches, chairs and floor afterwards was a testiment to that.


We played some games later: The kids downstairs on the Wii and some older kids (like me) in the dinning room playing Catch Phrase, Scrabble, Silly Scrabble (where you can make up a word using all or some of your letters, but you must be able to pronouce it, define it, and use it in a sentence. Then everyone votes whether it is believable or not. Hilarious!) and Trivia Pursuit. There is quite a bit of compitition in my family and proclaiming, "52 hours of labor and this is how you repay me?" doesn't gain a mother any points on the board. Just so you know. Laurie, don't try that again!

My face hurt from laughing so hard for so long.

We all had a wonderful time. We caught up on some things -- my nephew that was going to school in Mongolia, has since married a girl from Japan and they have an apartment in Tokyo (I think?). We realize there is so much more we missed and can't wait to get together again in a couple of weeks. There simply was not enough time.

There was a lot of laughing going on! Memories were made. We were properly stuffed. We had plenty of liquid beverages. The fire kept us warm and love filled our home. Thanks everyone!

Happy holidays!

Monday, November 19, 2007

Turkey and buns

There could be some comparison between the biblical fishes and loaves story and Thanksgiving dinner — turkey and buns. It is always easy to add another plate or two to the dining table and have enough food to feed everybody. It's just the chairs that may be lacking.

The guest list for my Thanksgiving dinner has risen to 16. I am thrilled to be hosting two of my nephews who have decided to join us. I have not seen Tyler in almost two years. He has been studying in Mongolia. His brother Dylan has also been away attending college. Although Wisconsin is at least on the same continent, I haven't seen Dylan since last summer. So, I am excited to see the both of them and hear everything that is happening in their busy lives.

I am still not too stressed about dinner. Many people have eaten my cooking and survived. Some people have even gone on to live somewhat normal lives.

There will be enough food — there always is. My house may not be spotlessly clean — it never is. But my family will love me anyway — they always do.

And that is what I am thankful for this year, and every year.

I will find more chairs somewhere and I do think I will need more wine.

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Talking turkey

So here I am one week away from the big Thanksgiving dinner. I am hosting the big weekend at my house for 14 people.

I am not totally stressed about it -- yet.

Usually, Thanksgiving is at my mom and dad’s in Bloomington. Or my brother’s house in Jordan, or my other brother’s house in Cannon Falls. I think my sister had it at her house in Maple Grove once.

I am famous in my family for not being the best cook. We never really have to check the smoke detectors at the change of Daylight Savings time, because ours go off pretty much whenever I cook. You know the saying -- that’s how I tell the dinner is done. Unfortunately, it is kinda true at my house. J

It’s not that I can’t cook, I just don’t do it often. There are a few specialty dinners that I can throw together with the blink of an eye. The easy things like salads, (green leafy ones with fresh vegies - not jello salad) homemade pizza, chili, soup, burgers on the grill, hamburger pie and reservations.

My home ec teacher from high school told me all I had to know was how to make one fabulous dinner and just cook that every time I entertain. The same for dessert. And I have pretty much stuck with that theory. I have found the best dinners are prepared with wine. Sometimes, I even put it IN the food.

I am usually the one in the family asked to bring the bean casserole. Or buns. Or, well, the wine. You get the picture. The easy stuff.

I have made a turkey dinner before. But not for several years and not for 14 people.

I am planning on making the turkey, stuffing, smashed potatoes and yams. Everyone else has been given their assignments. I am thinking it should be pretty easy.

My questions have to do with the turkey part. OK, so that is like the main part of the Thanksgiving dinner. But really, all I have to do is put the bird in the oven and relax for the next 6 hours or so, right?

For 14 people, I am thinking I need a 20 pound turkey. And I am suppose to stuff it, too. That is what my brother told me.

I guess I am looking for some suggestions. Like, I am wondering, how long should I cook that bird? Should I cover it? Do I add water? Should I use one of those bags? And do turkeys come with directions? How long do I cook it? I just don’t know.

And any stuffing recipes out there that are simple and scrumptious?

Waiting to talk turkey with you readers. Please offer your suggestions.

Thank you!

Where are all the manners?

So I don’t understand why people do not to R.S.V.P.?

When a person goes to the trouble of hand writing invitations to a party and having them delivered, whether by mail, in person, by pigeon or pony, the recipient should reply. It is just good manners.

Even if you don’t want to go to the party, at least call and make up some excuse.

Specifically, I am talking about kid birthday parties. I had one for my son this past weekend and am sadly disappointed with the lack of responses. Do people think, because it is a kid party it just doesn’t matter if they RSVP or not?

There is the likely possibility the invitations in question were lost in the guest children’s backpacks. That has actually happened to me before. The day before, or even the day of, I have found an invitation to a birthday party. Suddenly, I am on the phone calling the mom asking if it is too late for my child to attend. While I apologized for the late response, the mom is usually grateful for the response and of course, it is not too late. So we throw some money in a card on the way to the party and everybody is happy.

Some of my son's friends did not make it to the party on Saturday. My son had a good time with his friends that were there, but he did wonder where the other missing guys were and why they didn’t show up.

They are kids. By Monday at recess all was forgotten. I probably took it harder than my son. And I do have extra thank you gift bag items I can save for some unexpected gift I may need to throw together in the future.

But still, if you get invited to a party, whether by phone, in person, or an invitation asking for an R.S.V.P., you should at least call. Even if you have to make up a little excuse.

Where have all the manners gone?

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Disappointment

I live in the Brainerd school district 181.

The first thing my 10-year-old fifth-grade son said this morning when he woke up was, “Did they vote yes?” When I answered his question with a no, he fell silent. Pulled the covers over his head and said he had a stomach ache.
“How am I going to finish my Power Point project if they take away the computer lab? It’s due on Friday, Mom,” he said from under the comforter, clutching his tummy. “What is going to happen to my science class?”

The disappointment in my son’s voice was heart breaking. "Why, Mom?” he said. “Doesn’t anybody care what happens to us kids?”

I am very proud of my son’s ability to comprehend so much of global politics from the presidential level to his school level. I owe much of that to the Brainerd School District. When I was in the fifth grade all I cared about was riding my bike, who my best friend was each week, my Barbie dolls and boy germs. I didn’t think much beyond my world on Vincent Avenue.

Things are different today.

While my son is still concerned with how the lack of the school levy will affect him personally, he understands the bigger issue. I am greatly disappointed in the Brainerd community for letting down our kids.

If you grew up in Minnesota and attended public schools, there is an obligation to continue to support the schools long after you have graduated, or your kids graduated.

I grew up in Bloomington and attended public schools. We had teachers to help with elective classes like anthropology, foreign language and student government. We didn't go door-to-door selling candy or calenders to pay for school items like library books and field trips. Extra curricular activities didn’t cost families much extra out-of-pocket. The poor kids had the same opportunities as the middle and rich kids.

My parents struggled to raise four kids with different interests. I can guarantee you if the funding wasn’t available through public schools, I would not have had the opportunity to participate in track, student government, or theater. My brothers would not have been able to build a car in shop class or have a weight room to train for sports, or learn to play the trumpet. My sister would not have played volleyball, gone to state or learned to speek French fluently by eighth grade.

If I and my siblings would have had to ask our parents for extra money to participate, the answer would always have been no.

I have listened to most of the excuses for the no vote: It’s too much money; I don’t have kids in school; I am not from this area; My kids are home schooled; The state should give more money; Reform needs to be made; School Board needs to be more responsible, and so on.

Valid points? Maybe. Partially. But not enough to hang over the heads of the future of our community. Our kids should not have to be so disappointed in the adults in their community.

If you are happy you will not be asked to invest in the future of our kids by an additional property tax, you can be proud of thinking of yourself and not paying back for your Minnesota public education education by paying it forward for our kids today.

State tax reform does need to be made. The school board does need to be accountable. Changes do need to be made. It is not going to happen over night, or perhaps even over the next few years.

On the other hand, the no vote will change things drastically for the kids in our schools today.

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

One flat tire

I left the house this morning feeling pretty darned good about the day ahead.

It was snowing. I love the first snows of the season. These tiny little flakes that don't amount to anything don't really count as the first snow — at least not in my book. But it just gives a hint as to what is ahead. You can smell it in the air. You know it is just around the corner.

I am hoping for a lot of snow this year. I am a skier. I have always been a skier and I always will be a skier. I spent most of my teen years (up to 30 years old) hanging out and skiing at the local hill, ski club, ski team, then ski instructor. That smell of fresh air and snow gets in my head and starts my blood warming getting me excited for the new season. I love other winter sports, too. But we have had so little snow the past few years, I have not been able to enjoy them. My snowshoes are hanging in the porch so full of dust, they look one size larger. My x-country skies need a little wax and I will have to find my boots, but I just can't help wishing, hoping, dreaming of a white winter.

One of the best parts of changing seasons is when you switch around the drawers. You know, change the t-shirt and shorts drawers into the SWEATER drawers! It is like getting a whole new wardrobe without going to the mall! (Of course, going to the mall is still necessary for a few new fall/winter fashion essentials.

So this morning I put on an old favorite sweater not worn since last February. Found my scarf and gloves. Put on my fun down vest with the faux fur collar and I walked out of the house. I was even having a good hair day. I was on schedule. I had a full cup of coffee and ready to face the day.

As I backed out of the garage, I knew something was wrong, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. My Jeep just felt a bit sluggish. I backed out anyway. Maybe it was just cold. It was snowing, you know.

I started forward down the road. The poor little Jeep still felt a bit sluggish. Now, I am not a rocket scientist and I am certainly no mechanic. I know where the gas goes, and the washer fluid. I even know how to check the oil — not change it, just check it. I got a couple driveways down and just knew something wasn't right.

Sure enough, the right rear tire was flat. This is not good. It is 7:30 in the morning. It's snowing and I have a flat tire.

I figured if I could get back to the garage, I could use the compressor to fill the tire up and I could get to town to have it changed at Lingwalls Garage. Good plan.

Driving on a flat is not recommended. I know this. But it was less than 40 feet — give or take a few. So I get back to the garage, and realize, I know how to plug the compressor in. I see the on/off switch. But that is all I know. I have no clue how to run it. My husband has told me a couple of times, but that is one of those things I didn't really pay much attention to. I figured, I am smart enough to figure it out if I ever needed to know. And I did. Figure out how to run it. It was easy. I called my good neighbor, Larry, to help me out.

He filled up my tire and sent me on my way.

"Go straight to town and get that fixed," he said. "I don't know how long it will hold air, but I think you will make it to town."

Thanks, Larry.

So I get to Garrison, pull in front of Lingwalls Garage and to my horor, the lights are not on.

Ron Lingwall (Lingwalls Hardware) was out opening up his store for the day.

"I dont' know, Viv," he said. "I think they are closed for deer hunting. I would go down to Andersons. You should make it."

Great. Should.
Now I am hoping, wishing, dreaming I make it to Andersons — 17 miles down the road, give or take.

I did.

Two guys were swaping stories with the guy behind the counter when I walked in and just said, "Help?"

They all kind of chuckled a bit when I said I had a flat tire. Especially when they asked me if it was on the top or the bottom and I didn't know.

"It's the right rear," I said. I didn't know if that was the top or the bottom. But I soon figured it was just a joke because I am a girl.

Well the guy pulled the wheel off and found the spot where a sharp rock had sliced through the thick rubber on my less than 1-year-old tires. He sprayed the tire with something and I saw the slice bubble. "Hummmmm, that doesn't look good," I said. "I guess that's the top."

He laughed. We chatted. He fixed the tire, filled it with air and I was on my way.

Thanks Anderson's Garage!

My coffee was cold and I had to go to the restroom. But I had a new plug in my tire and it was holding air. It was still snowing. Still tiny flakes that wont amount to much. And I was back on the road.

I still feel good about the day. After all, I have on an old favorite sweater. And it is still a pretty good hair day.