A Nordstrom-Demos Thanksgiving

We had a blessed time yesterday as we shared the day with friends and family. My prayer for you is that you had a very Happy Thanksgiving!

The perfect day started with Debbie and I watching the Food Channel as we we trying to get motivated to start the day. We watched Sandra Lee prepare these amazing onion tartlets. We looked at each other and decided that even we could do this!

We finally got out to to the store to buy our tartlet ingredients, but I upset Debbie with the giant pie I also purchased. How do you have a proper Thanksgiving without a giant pie!? Upon our return, Mom Demos had cleaned the turkey and we were ready to prep the bird.

Admittedly, this was my first 'big audience' turkey. Last year I was assisting Dr. George Koulianos from Mobile, Alabama. If things went wrong in 2006 George would have had to take the 'hit'. You might say that I was in training for this moment up through last year; though some of my most memorable Thanksgivings are with the Koulianos family. I believe that we are up to 4, 2 in Mobile, and 2 in Denver.

Back to yesterday -I could tell as I stared down this dead bird, that Mom had been here before. She was not intimidated which gave me courage. She had assembled all the proper implements, spices, and had some ideas of her own of how we should 'dress this turkey up for the dance'.

We started by mixing a plethora of fruits and vegetable to fill the cavity of the turkey. This included celery, carrots, apples, oranges, onions, and various spices. I am convinced that my secret ingredient is honey. I don't remember using this last year, but I thought it would be a good idea this year. Heck, who doesn't like honey? That goes for turkey too!

So we lined the cooker with celery and carrots and then positioned our bird just right. We then threw in some lemons, orange juice, more butter, and additional honey. Lastly a doused this bird with oil and vinegar. Our turkey was going to be well lubricated,............ back to the turkey later.

We then began the preparation of the onion tartlets and spiced apple cider. Debbie and I aren't known for working well together in most instances, but we were poetry in motion yesterday. We didn't mess up anything, and were well prepared for the guest we were yet to receive. It was hard to leave any tartlets or cider for our guest because both were so good!

Eventually our counter was full of sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, stuffing, the mixture that came out of the turkey, corn casserole, salad, gravy, bread, and I am sure I am forgetting something......

Then is was the time to debut the turkey. After dozens and dozens of bastings, Mr. Gobbler blessed us with his (or her I suppose) presence. He was perfectly moistened after his nice soak over 3 1/2 hours in the cooker. Needless to say, we didn't have on complaints, and better yet, I think all of the accolades were sincere.

We finished off the night by watching some old videos of Dad and Mom, some dating back as far as 60 years. Dad was especially proud of the footage over the southern Pacific as the US Airforce fueled several fighters on the fly. It was neat to see way it used to be as we considered what we had now -to be Thankful for. We had a great time, the food was good, and the left overs are yet to come.

I couldn't help but wonder about our abundance...... Now ours certainly doesn't seem to be as much as some, but none the less 'God is Good', and his blessings have been enough to sustain us. My mind wonders to children in Zambia, and other parts of sub-Saharan Africa. What sustains them? I don't know that any of them want charity, but I assure you that most of them want an opportunity that has yet to be revealed to them. They can't even imagine a life different than what they have. There is no hope for an Orphan on the streets of Zambia! Will they ever have a constant loving support system? Forget for now the clean water, food, and shelter, but what about comfort, safety, and love?

I don't bring this up to make any of us feel good or bad about our own circumstances, but to make us think. What if any of us had been born on a different continent, in more dire circumstances? I think we are all called to reach out and to help our fellow man, and specifically Orphans. I am not suggesting blind Charity, but sustainable development, care, and love through any number of reputable organizations. I have been blessed that I have been able to meet some of these children in my travels to Zambia and Mexico, and was able to share with them that many care about them.

Beyond the wonderful fellowship with my family, Debbie was right, I purchased this giant pie that I, nor anyone else, could eat. A bad decision on this Thankgiving Day, and money that could have been spent in a better way -maybe even to help others.

I am so thankful for my family and friends, and am happy they decided to share this special day with me.

Happy Thanksgiving!