EC soaked our free range bird in brine made up of pure cranberry juice, rosemary, sage, thyme and some other things. I photographed her here as EC is putting a butter concoction underneath her skin BECAUSE SHE'S PURPLE! I LOVED that she turned purple because of the brine!!! (ok, just so you know, I don't really know what brine is but I can tell you that if you have the countenance for soaking a huge turkey in gallons of cranberry liquid for a day or so and then playing with it - yuk - with your hands in butter - - TOTALLY WORTH IT! - including losing her in the brine bag as she flipped into the cooler that was NOT cleaned out and was loaded with dirt and grass - "who are these people that they don't clean their coolers before putting them in storage?" OH. Well. Perfect, I am not.)
All of that being said: It was the most delicious turkey I have ever eaten. Everyone else enjoyed her too!
I only managed to take a few pictures this year. Here they are:
Another friends gathering!
Jeff and Dylan brought the ice cream, chocolate sauce and whipped cream for the many choices of gluten free "traditional" desserts!
The food: fabulous
The atmosphere: sweet and warm
The conversation: kind and lively
The best part: the love that was expressed throughout the day and evening!
with a grateful heart,
Kolein, your table look wonderful! I bet that old bird was might tasty. My sister brined both of the birds. It really kept them so moist. I had not even heard of this until a few years ago. She used water with salt, oranges, lemon and herbs. Oh and brown sugar! Yummy! Even the smoked bird stayed moist.
ReplyDeleteI love that wreath!
So glad you enjoyed your Thanksgiving!! Funny about the bird in the cooler!! The hubs is in charge of our bird and it always turns out great! Love ya lady!! Now it's Christmas time...yay!! :)
ReplyDeleteKolein~
ReplyDeleteEverything looked wonderful. I like simple. You have great friends to get together like that for Thanksgiving.
The cranberry soaked turkey sounds delish!
Did you have your instruments and get to play music too?
Pat
Hey Kolein~
ReplyDeleteI hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year.
take care- Pat
Hi--Just found your blog through a comment you left on Thistlewood Farm, and just want to say: Hope you resume blogging soon! Really appreciated your thoughts/views there, and really like your blog here. Glad I found you!
ReplyDeleteyour table was wonderful and such thoughtfulness!!!! saw you on Thistlewood Farm and thought i would come for a visit -- just joined your followers and hope to see your new posts soon : ) if you ever need anything -- you can knock on my virtual door! : ) hugs...
ReplyDelete