Monochromatic Thanksgiving Leftovers, November 2004

Clockwise, from top: dried-out turkey thigh meat, Jill's Hunter-Gatherer Wild Rice, green bean casserole, Mom's turkey stuffing ( I was not given any gravy, candied yams, or mashed potatoes to take home in my foil pouch)

I'm the first to admit that I am a fabulous cook, but this wild rice dish is the only slop I'm allowed to contribute to the holiday feed trough. I've been passing it off as my own recipe for 20 years, but I totally ripped it off from the Silver Palate Cookbook. After all this time it is still considered a probational dish, probably because it contains frivolous, non-Methodist ingredients like mint and dried cranberries. It is regarded with suspicion by my father, who this year gave it a look and said, with regret, "whatever happened to those little onions in cheese sauce?"

Turkey Leg From Thanksgiving at my sister's November 2004

My sister likes to foist off garbage food on me. I don't mean it's diseased or anything, at least not usually, but it's definitely stuff she would otherwise throw in the garbage if I didn't happen to be hanging around. For example, I am the only adult in the family who eats the dark meat of birds, so come Thanksgiving, I am always sent home with eighteen pounds of the stuff. I do my best, but I'm just one woman.

I gnawed on this thing for a couple of days before giving up.

Beef Pot Pie November 2004

I ate this excellent pot pie while listening to a Spanish version of "Come And Get Your Love." Check it!

Crab Salad with Wasabi Lime Mayonnaise and a Giant Lime, November 2004

I had this for lunch while watching it rain like bloody hell for like the 17th day in a row.

Club Sandwich and Fries, The Thithle, Davenport, Austin, November 2004

The club sandwich is really two sandwiches eaten simultaneously.

Spinach Salad With Oranges, Blue Cheese, Walnuts, Olive Oil and Fig Vinegar November 2004

While I ate this I was amazed to see on television a commercial for a commercial. That's right. They are now advertising advertisments. "Stay tuned," said the voice, "for Ellen's rockin' new ad!" And damned if that wacky Ellen didn't show up a few minutes later, dancing the Funky Chicken in a commercial for American Express.