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I am a retired English teacher and department head, the mother of three grand mother of four, and have been married to the same man for 52 years. I subscribe to Dr. PM Forni's concept of Civility. I was born in South Philadelphia and grew up in the 'burbs. I love soft pretzels and cheesesteaks, the Phillies, the Eagles, and San Diego. I love being Mom, Aunt Kathy, Nona Kathy, and Teacher. I spend a lot of time in my gardens in the spring and summer, and in the winter I plan what I'm going to plant. I also am an avid reader and photographer.

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Thursday, November 20, 2008

Over the River and Through the Woods...

I spent the entire day editing two reports that are going out to clients tomorrow. It got so bad that I had to work out with weights about every 10 pages or so. (Do you know that all it takes is 20 minutes of sitting for blood to pool in your feet and your seat? (This according to Dr. David Sousa in How the Brain Learns). When I was teaching, after about 20 minutes, I'd make the kids stand up and do toe rises or walk across the room and share something they'd learned that day in class with another student) (Yes, they all did it. They did anything I asked because they thought I was crazy.) So basically what I'm saying is that right now I'm almost brain dead but because of pumping iron, could probably lift a Volkswagon with my legs!

The good news is I'm finished this project and can start thinking about my count down for Thanksgiving: when I'll shop, what I'll shop for, and when I'll start cooking. Tomorrow I'll clean out the refrigerator. Saturday I'll clean and maybe finish up the leaves. Looks like Sunday may be shopping day. Tuesday, I'll drive up to PA to pick up my mom and when I come home will set the turkey in buttermilk brine (see Williams-Sonoma). Wednesday, I'll bake the pies, an apple cider reduction, make the stuffing and lay out the dishes and linen. I'll also do all my prep work for the sides. We're eating early on Thursday -- about 1:00 (it's an Italian thing) (It also means we'll have time to work in another meal; we're not stupid :). The turkey will go right from the brine (and a quick dry-off) to the oven. I'll probably start roasting it at 5:30 a.m. It should finish by maybe 12 and then I can cook all of my sides. Our three children, their spouses/significant others will be here as will our grand children (9, 6, and 7 months). If there's no fighting, I might even be able to take a photo for our Christmas card, but I probably shouldn't wait until after dinner to do this. Sometime, remind me to tell you about The Great Tampon War of 1994...

10 comments:

Jay said...

Don't forget about the emergency trip to the store around mid morning on Thursday because you will suddenly realize that you don't have something you need.

KathyA said...

You're right! Invariably I forget something! One year I had to take the dog to the emergency vet because he got into chocolate. I met our guests in the driveway on our way out!

happyone said...

I can just sit for just so long too and then have to get up and do something physical. I go to and from my computer a million times a day!!
Sure sounds like a busy week ahead for you!!!

C.A. said...

Oh now that's so not fair...you can't only SEMI tell us about the great tampon fight of 94!

I want to know about the Buttermilk Brine...it sounds delicious! Is it on the Williams Sonoma Web Site?

Lena said...

I so get that Italian thing about eating early! And they don't wait for you even if you are one minute late!

Gin said...

We eat early too! I'm not sure why, but we always have. But we're not Italian. Maybe in our family it's some past farmer mentality or something.

Cleaning out the fridge is part of my Thanksgiving prep too...LOL!

KathyA said...

There's nothing like the way the house smells on Thanksgiving. (At least when you remember to take all that stuff out of the cavity first!) Think of me when you're cleaning out the fridge!

cri said...

Ciao Kathy!!!
Was your turkey big as i usually see on tv??
But you are a gret cook!!!!!
Italian cusine is the best, and I love ricotta pie with pastafrolla.
Tomorrow I will cook melanzane alla parmigiana and for the first time apple pie!!!!
Claudio is my boyfriend and we live together. He is handsome, funny, but most of all he undestand me like no other, and I love him.
Have a nice day!!!!
Ciao ciao, Cristina

Cheryl said...

Cleaning and raking day? Working and coffee day for me. I know you love to cook and entertain and just thrive on this schedule.

I'm off to work. Have a great day!

Anonymous said...

The Great Tampon War??? No wonder your students thought you were crazy...tell us more!