How Was Your Thanksgiving?

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving Yesterday.

We had a really nice time.  My dad's girlfriend actually came with him yesterday. Up till now she has really avoided trying to get to know us so I was surprised when she wanted to come.  I had met her once briefly about 4 years ago but in the 11 years they have been together that was the only time.  That being said she was quite pleasant and though my mom felt a bit uncomfortable at first I think it all went pretty well and everyone had a good time.

All of the food turned out really good except the gravy.  I had the most beautiful pan juices and I was mixing them with the cornstarch to thicken them up for the gravy and my dad's girlfriend wanted to help and she was really insistent about it. Not wanting to be rude I let her take over and she just stirred with the whisker instead of quickly whisking.  I tried to show her how to do it but it was already too late a big film developed on the bottom of the pan, I was able to strain out some of it, and it is was OK, but was not the fabulous gravy I was anticipated when I saw those lovely juices.  No harm done she was just trying to help, but most people that know me know to stay out of my kitchen and out of my way.  But I didn't want to be rude.  Since my dad is getting older and starting to have a lot of health issues I think it is kind of important that I develop a good relationship with her, since I am the child that lives closest to my dad.  I think it is just best for everyone and then I can report back to my brother and sister who live in different states.

Yesterday was not a bad day for me online either, my how to cook a turkey article on Associated content got nearly 1000 hits in the last couple of days, and my Oatmeal Crumble Sweet Potato Casserole recipe on Factoidz got about 800 hits in the last couple of days, nearly 300 yesterday alone.  Normally food articles don't do all that well with hits except maybe the day they are posted but Thanksgiving recipes during the week of Thanksgiving are golden.  I wrote that How to cook a turkey article back in 2009, and every year it brings in about $17.00 all by its self in November and about $12.00 in December.  The sweet potato recipe was written last year and I had no idea how popular it would be this year.  Needless to say I am very happy about that.

I didn't have a chance to take any pictures because, well let's just say when other people get in my kitchen it gets a little crazy.  I have been doing Thanksgiving for about 20 years now and I have it down to a science, I have everything timed out, and I have a rythem and my rythem just got a bit out of sorts yesterday.  It's great to offer to help the hostess or host but if they say no thank you or no I'm good then let him/her do thier thing and get out of their way.  I'm must saying.