MERRY CHRISTMAS! — IT’S THE KITCHEN PROGRESS REPORT

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE: We arrived at 6:55 for the 7:00 service. Sat in the chairs added in the aisle — you know, the ones added for the late people. The service was good, highlighted by great music and a little boy who sang, “Away in a Manger,” with such confidence it was moving. Afterward, we made it to Kroger before it closed at 9:00 for Christmas Eve to get some last minute items.

FOOD: The turkey is thawing in the bathtub and must be turned over and the water changed out in a about a half hour. It has to start cooking in five hours, so I hope it’s thawed by then.

Strawberry cake cookies and the rice crispy bars are baked, the cranberry sauce is finished and the stuffing is ready to be cooked. The pecan pie is… well… about an hour ago, Jene’ started to make the pie and the karo syrup she bought a couple of weeks ago is moldy. (HEB is getting a letter I bet). Of course, it’s after midnight, and even in Houston almost everything shut down early tonight and will not reopen until tomorrow afternoon. After deciding the corner convenience store, if open, would most likely not carry karo syrup, Jene’ decided to improvise with some honey, maple syrup and a little karo syrup from another bottle she had (but only about a third of what she needed). Rolls, mashed potatoes and the turkey will be cooked after we wake up. I’m pretty sure Jene’ won’t get much sleep tonight because the pie has to cook an hour and someone needs to be awake to make sure it gets taken out of the oven.

Jene’ has felt better and has done a good portion of the actual cooking. I, of course, busied myself with stirring things, and cleaning up behind Jene’.

INJURIES: Ahem. It is me, remember? Actually, I’m not alone on the injury report tonight. Jene’ slammed her thumb in a door and her thumbnail is sorta blue. I stubbed my toe on the chair we moved away from the table and placed by the kitchen door… and for some reason, when furniture gets moved, I have trouble navigating until I injure myself and therefore I pay special attention not to run into the particular offending piece of furniture again. We’re fairly confident my toe is not broken, but it aches and is swelling a bit on top. Another night for the memory book, eh?

Elizabeth and Corinne will be here around 12:30 for lunch. We will have a great time and eat some good food… and while everyone else sleeps in Friday… I’ll be at work… probably reading a book.

I hope your day is filled with good times, good food, and lots of Kodak and memory moments. 🙂