Gator Pam

I got a 14+ pound frozen turkey from one of the food banks this year last Tuesday. Since I do a three day dry brine, I immediately put it in the refrigerator to defrost. I just pulled it to start prepping, and while mostly defrosted, the neck area is still "crunchy" when I palpitate it, leading me to believe the giblets may be still frozen to the interior. So, in to a cold water soak it goes, to be checked, drained, and refilled every 30 minutes until ready. I'm hoping it will only take one round of soaking. We'll see...

My 30% off also became inactive as soon as the sale started. Used the $10 off Home and 15% off on the Kaloric 26-quart air fryer. Paid $127.50, plus tax. Not as good a deal as I had hoped; I was hoping to get it down to ~$100. But, I think the best price I saw last year was $129, and I do have $35 in Kohls Cash coming, as well as $6 in Kohls Rewards. Hopefully I'll find something decent to spend the Kohls Cash and Rewards on.

I have one item I'm hoping to use my code on tonight, then I'll post the code as well.

Mine finally arrived as well. Thank you!

Personally, I prefer the mashed butternut/acorn squash version. This recipe is pretty good. Make it easier on yourself by buying pre-peeled and cubed squash. I know I've seen it at Trader Joe's; you should find it in other produce departments as well. Steam the cubes on the stovetop until tender and able to be mashed/pureed, rather than microwave them. The texture is better. Whatever you do, don't try to defrost frozen mashed butternut squash. It turns out far inferior. I personally like the casserole to be deep, so I double the filling ingredients and bake for 55 minutes to an hour before topping. However, if you and your mom are the only ones who will eat it, make the amount stated, but put it in an 8"×8" pan, rather than a 9"×13". That should still result in a nice deep casserole. https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/22936/butternut-squash-casserole/

Growing up a GRITS, I've had two types of squash casserole: A. Sliced crookneck or zucchini layered in a casserole dish with various sauces to bind it or B. Whipped butternut or acorn squash, occasionally a mixture of both, made similar to sweet potato casserole Which style are you making?

Menu has been set. It is most likely going to just be three of us, but my roommates grown son may drive over. Good Eats Roast Turkey, dry brined for three days prior Homemade gravy from stock and drippings Homemade cranberry sauce Crockpot stuffing Green bean casserole made by one roommate Homemade pumpkin bread and homemade apple pie made by the other roommate Breyer's French vanilla ice cream for pie a la mode

I have heard the audio with Zoom was much better for the matinee. If anyone wishes to try Zooming in for the evening show, we'll be starting in about two hours.

Thanks for trying! That seems to have been a common comment from those who Zoomed in. I don't know if we'll be able to rectify that, due to lack of equipment. However, I learned that the performances are being video taped. I don't know if the best performed scenes will be edited together, or if the best overall performance will be used, but apparently a video of the show will be uploaded to YouTube at some point. I didn't even know they had a channel. At this point, I also don't know if the video camera would have better audio than the Zoom sessions. But, I'll share the link if it becomes available.

My favorite to serve vegetarians (with butter) or vegans (with olive oil) as an entreé for a festive meal such as Thanksgiving or Passover is an apple stuffed acorn squash with walnuts and dried cranberries. Back in the day, when acorn squash were much smaller, I would serve one stuffed half as a side dish to those eating a different entreé, and two stuffed halves to the vegetarians/vegans. Nowadays the acorn squash I come across are huge, so a half is good for an entreé. If wanted as a side, a stuffed half could be quartered to serve that way. Stuffed Acorn Squash with Apple Stuffing Acorn Squash, split in half and seeds removed Softened butter or extra light tasting olive oil Salt, to taste Ground cinnamon, to taste Brown sugar, to taste* Apples, peeled and cubed, about one small per squash Chopped walnuts, to taste Dry or sweet red wine, to taste Dried cranberries, to taste Spread butter or olive oil over the inside flesh of the squash. Sprinkle with salt, cinnamon, and brown sugar. You don't want to make it overly sweet, but you do want to give the flesh some flavor. Wrap in foil. I usually place the wrapped squash seam side up directly on a center oven rack and roast for 45 minutes at 350°F, but you could try putting them in a crockpot. Roast until they are just turning tender, you're going to be baking them some more, so you don't want them so soft they fall apart. Meanwhile, soak the dried cranberries in enough red wine to just cover until softened. Melt some butter or heat some olive oil. Sauté the apple cubes until just tender, season with salt, cinnamon, and brown sugar. Again, not to sweet. Remove from heat and add the walnuts and cranberries with the soaking liquid. Stir together to combine. Remove the squash from the foil and place cut side up in a baking dish. Fill the cavities with the apple mixture. Heat oven to 375°F. Place baking dish on center rack and bake for another half an hour to 45 minutes, until the squash easily gives when squeezed. Even with a crockpot, it is not a quick dish. But, it is definitely a worthy meatless meal.

The King awaits his entrance.

For those interested, first performance of The Prince and The Pauper is in a little over an hour.

Informed Delivery told me I had a package arriving Wednesday from WI, which never arrived. Today's Informed Delivery makes no mention of an expected package, whether for today or arriving soon. I don't know why I'm having issues lately with these deliveries.

Backstage at 2nd dress rehearsal, awaiting the start.

First dress rehearsal for the musical tonight. Whoever decided to give me two roles, where the end of Act 1 is scene/scene in one character, next scene as the other character (with costume change, including wigs), and back to the first character to close out the act is really challenging this novice performer!

Informed Delivery is showing a package expected on Wednesday...

I'm doing food pick ups from two different food banks over the next week. I'm hoping they had turkeys donated for distribution. Other items will probably be Incorporated, especially any fresh produce.

Hopefully I won't make to much of a fool of myself...

In case anyone is interested, here is the information to Zoom in to the show. Times are Pacific Standard Time: Friday: Topic: Prince and The Pauper Time: Nov 12, 2021 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2993207340 Meeting ID: 299 320 7340 Saturday matinee: Topic: Prince and The Pauper Musical Time: Nov 13, 2021 02:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2993207340 Meeting ID: 299 320 7340 Saturday evening: Topic: Prince and The Pauper Musical Time: Nov 13, 2021 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2993207340 Meeting ID: 299 320 7340 In-person tickets are $10, Zoom is by donation. You can donate at the KAMP website, https://www.kampmusic.org/. Hope to see you there one way or another!

The first musical I've ever been cast in. Local friends are welcome in person if comfortable with the socially distancing protocols in place. If not comfortable, Zoom viewing is also available, both for locals and those elsewhere. I'm not in great voice, and memorizing lines is a beast; I'm almost embarrassed to invite folks for my performance. But, we're definitely community theater, and working on it has been fun. Come share our joy in telling this Mark Twain tale.

I'm sure everyone has see this...

*double posted, as I feel this is worth emphasizing*

*double posted, as I feel this is worth emphasizing*

We haven't even broached the topic yet. It will definitely be three adults, with post college age son of my roommates as well. I'll post more as plans develop.