Thanksgiving

I am going to shamelessly borrow this meme from Carole, as it perfectly matches my mood today. We've been baking since last night, and got up early this (very gray, chilly) morning to finish up before we're due to be at our friends'. I've been wanting to blog since yesterday, too (a nice change of pace from my recent absence!) but the camera has gone MIA and I can't show my wee little project (or the sock that's nearly done). Until then, have a Happy Thanksgiving!!

1. Which do you like better: Cooking at your house, or going elsewhere? I SO much prefer cooking at my house, but as I've lived in tiny places for most of my adult life I find that cooking at home and bringing food with me is the perfect balance. Like this year.

2. Do you buy a fresh or frozen bird? I generally buy a fresh bird, as frozen birds come with too much anxiety. I can't be the only one who pokes at it for days, worried it won't defrost in time...

3. What kind of stuffing? My Mom's family recipe. I was so proud the year I was promoted from Bread Tearer to Sauteer (that can't be spelled right. Saute-er?) It was one of my big achievements! I've called my Mom from multiple states over the years, to make sure I've prepared it just right.

4. Sweet potato or pumpkin pie? Neither. I like Pecan, personally.

5. Do you believe that turkey leftovers are a curse, or the point of the whole thing? Curse? Ohhhh, because you get sick of them! When I make a turkey for just the two of us (like this year, when we're going to our (vegetarian) friends' house) I usually pick a wee bird. Just enough for ONE day's leftovers, not so much that every time I open the fridge for a week I see the carcass and cringe.

6. Which side dish would provoke a riot if you left it off the menu? For me, the stuffing :) Mr. Cygknit is a Fiend for sweet potato casserole.

7. Do you save the carcass to make soup or stock? I admit that I always *mean* to, but never quite get there.

8. What do you wish you had that would make preparing Thanksgiving dinner easier? Oh, more counter space, without a doubt.

9. Do you get up at the crack of dawn to have dinner ready in the early afternoon, or do you eat at your normal dinner hour? Growing up, we always ate early afternoon. That's sorta programmed into me, and I cant sleep late on Thanksgiving for any reason.

10. If you go to somebody else's house, what's your favorite dish to bring? I've brought everything from green bean casserole to fresh bread. I pretty much cook whatever the hostess wishes.

11. What do you wish one of your guests wouldn't bring to your house? My first thought was my step-sister's alcoholic husband, but thankfully we're far from the drama-makers in our families. (I know that wasn't very nice, but it really was my first thought.)

12. Does your usual mix of guests result in drama, or is it a group you're happy to see? Since we moved up to CT, I've been away from my family for holidays. They're a pretty dramatic bunch, but in that quiet way where it sort of eddys around the room until someone explodes. I've been lucky to see various family on non-holiday visits, which reduces the stress level for everyone.

13. What's your absolute favorite thing on the menu? I'm a starch girl. Give me lots of 'tatoes and stuffing, please!

And Carole added this one, which is so very appropriate this year:

14. What are you thankful for this year? I'm thankful for my health. This year was so stressful, with several months of doctors questioning if I had breast cancer, and then with one surgery and another to go. I am so lucky to be in the not-yet cancer stage, and to have had the support of all of you through that time. Then, during this same time we were told we'd need treatments if we ever wanted kids...and here I am with a kumquat on the way that I never expected I'd be lucky enough to have. This year, I'm so grateful for all the support I've had from Mr. Cygnet, my family, my friends--including all you blog folk who've become my friends this year. I have to stop, I'm getting all teary!

What about you? What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?