Outside the dugout: What's cooking?

Well, things went well here tonight for tomorrow's Turkey day with Mom. Turkey is finished as is the cornbread dressing and rolls. I separated the turkey into 3 categories. Breast meat, wings and legs, and everything else for soup. All in the fridge along with the drippings which I'll use to make gravy tomorrow.

Kitchen all cleaned up too. Feels good. Wasn't all that big a deal - just gotta understand the technical aspects of the food items.

Relaxing now watching 0-0-7 in "You Only Live Twice" on TCM. Previously they aired "Thunderball". Excellent viewing while cooking!

Bond was something else in those films, wasn't he? Both Sean and the character he played. I always say "Star Trek" was the greatest show ever to air on TV and if we're talkin' movies the Sean Connery bond films have to be the greatest franchise, IMHO of course.

He's Steve McQueen/Paul Newman cool! The lines he says cracks me up...lol!

I completely forgot to pick up some apple cider but did find a brand new container of apple juice in my stash, so will substitute with that.

The show must go on!

 

We are making our Day After Thanksgiving meal totally separate from leftovers (as those will follow shortly).

Tonight I’m going to be grilling filet mignons and baked potatoes.

Inside Ms Jan will put together her fresh Romaine salad topped off with vine ripe tomatoes.

Our afternoon and early evening will be both low key and pleasant as we’ll enjoy our ice cold longnecks and chilled wine.

Life is good in Gator Nation!

 

Funny story. Yesterday at Mom's after we had our dinner, Mom mentioned how good the turkey was. I replied that I thought it came out very succulent. Mom then replied how she liked that I was able to use the English language so well - succulent - as opposed to just saying it "tasted good".

I made the point that since drying out was a major concern when roasting turkey - using a descriptive term which addressed that issue seemed to be the way to go.

By then she had already moved on mentally, but I enjoyed her compliment, nonetheless.

I used one of those digital thermometers that has the little buzzer that goes off when it reaches the temp you set it at. Has a magnet on the back. Dang thing worked great!

Pics....the 11 lb. BB turkey, my plate, and Mom with hers.....we also had pumpkin pie w/Reddi-wip for dessert (not pictured).....

 

We used Saturday afternoon/evening as our first run at Thanksgiving leftovers. Lunch was turkey sandwiches or grilled ham & cheese sandwiches.

Supper was plate leftovers with each person having their own choice of options.

Tonight I’ll be grilling bone-in country cut ribs indirect over cherry wood smoke with baked potatoes on the top rack.

A freshly made Romaine salad topped with vine ripe tomatoes with be our other side.

Ice cold longnecks and chilled wine will again have their place on the back porch.

Life is good in Gator Nation!

 

Good friend of mine and his partner have started a micro greens business. He gave me one of his products yesterday and I'm still evaluating it and learned about the product line.

We have a few farmers markets here including one in Samsula and my friend was out there Saturday with a table set up. You can see him in this video, along with all the other vendors.

It's a Facebook video so not sure if just anyone can view it.

Marty is near the beginning of the video.

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Another funny story.....

I recently added a surfboard as decor on one of my bamboo gates. It was an old one I found in a dumpster that I salvaged years ago, knowing one day I could use it for decorative purposes. I did a little patching on it and painted it red with a yellow lightning bolt, paying homage to the legendary Lightning Bolt surfboard company.

Last night I even put some LED strip lighting on the gate - just fooling around. I was surprised how good they adhered to the wood without any extra glue!

Last week I was at the local Winn Dixie and there were three ladies painting the front windows with a Christmas theme. Including Santa holding a surfboard. The surfboard was already painted when I got there, but they were still painting other parts of the composition. One of the ladies was my neighbor, Marie. I said "Marie....don't you think that surfboard needs a lightning bolt on it?" I shared with her the heritage that comes with the bolt and also.....the board I had just completed on my front gate. "Marie.....when you go home today, check it out, and see for yourself."

So tonight I had to pick up a few items from W/D and could not believe what I saw! Santa's surfboard is indeed sporting a bolt! Red on yellow....just as mine is yellow on red!

Made my night!

Mine:




Theirs:

 

Tonight we’ve got Ms Jan’s smothered fried steak and gravy and onions.

Sides will be fresh zipper peas and okra and white rice. Ahh, yes—there will be fried cornbread.

It’s already in the low 40’s and dropping to 24* tonight—just a little cool with the wind to enjoy the back porch so tonight it’s Ms Jan’s chilled wine and I’ve got some Kentucky windage over cracked ice with a splash of ginger ale.

Life is good in Gator Nation!

 

Supposed to get into the 40's here tonight. I'm debating whether to bring my Crotons inside. The ones I have in pots anyway. They don't like it cold and will drop leaves.....

 

LOL—

Baz, Ms Jan and I have moved plants and hanging baskets all day prepping for the cold snap....

 

I would too if I lived in the great frozen north!!!

I shouldn't say anything because we have a LOT of winter left - heck it ain't even really started yet! I guess tonight's the beginning.

I used to build greenhouses where I lived in the past and used kerosene heaters in them, but have not done so here, oddly enough. I should though with all the plants I have and such a small house.

I brought in (3) 3 gal. Franklin Roosevelt Crotons tonight along with (8) of my 7 gallon specimens I acquired recently. My dog, Winkipop, was wondering what the heck was going on...lol.

Good luck with the freezes Bill!

 

Not too bad but glad I brought those Crotons in - they look very happy. I have (3) 3 gal. Copperleafs that showed some reaction to last night with very droopy outer foliage. They will be Ok but I didn't realize they were so tender.

I have it set at 73 inside which is very comfortable.

Having all the color inside from these Crotons too is very nice. So much variety in leaf shape and coloration!

On topic, doing some House Autry chicken tenders for Mom, as I have to go trim her Queen Palms later today in time for yard waste pickup tomorrow.

 

One of my favorite cold weather meals.

A hot bowl of beef stew loaded with great veggies - brocolli, spinach, tomatoes etc.

I want it to pass the "Mom Test". That is - if my Mom were to see what I'm fixing would she think I'm getting the important vegetables she'd lecture me about during my upbringing.

I think it passes the test and my dear Mother would be smiling.

Told butcher at Publix to cut boneless chuck roast into stew beef...then cut it up into even smaller bits. Parboil for an hour and a half to teñderize beef.

Adding onions, peas and a light dusting of barley. Damn!!! Forgot the egg noodles!

Add in some Sister Schuberts hot rolls.

Oh, and in a fresh baked peach pie for dessert and Mmmmm.

 

That’s a “sounds good” cold weather supper @gatorfan5220—

Actually we’ve got a pot of beef and vegetables soup simmering on the stove as well. I used a 3 lb piece of sirloin and cut it up into small beef stew size pieces to build our vegetables and beef soup.

Our side will be grilled cheese sandwiches done in the cast iron frying pan.

The ice cold longnecks and chilled wine are back in play again this afternoon/evening.

Life is good in Gator Nation!