Thanksgiving Day Countdown - Tuesday

Thanksgiving is almost here, and everything seems to be moving along right on schedule.  Except my waistline.  My waistline is definitely moving ahead of schedule. But I'll address that in January...

So I came home yesterday evening to a clean house!  The men had worked hard scrubbing floors, the bathroom and even the oven here on the homestead, while I worked hard at the office downtown.  A clean house!  This drops my stress level a notch or two. I needed that little boost.

Over the weekend I pulled out all of my recipes for the big day, and then crafted my monster grocery list.  Then on Sunday, I stormed two different grocery stores like a mad woman (which I am), upon the carefully calculated time of 11:30 a.m.  Why 11:30 a.m.?  Because I knew all the Amish, and most everyone else, would be off the streets and out of the stores, busy attending church.  It was the perfect plan!  It was quiet, and nary a soul was to be seen.  Well done farmgirl!

This morning the 22 lb. turkey was lifted from the new chest freezer and set out to begin its thaw.  Tonight, when I return home from work, I will set about making the wet brine for the turkey to "bathe" in until early Thursday morning.  The brine that I use is absolutely amazing, but I can't take credit for the recipe.  If you want to check it out you can find it here.  Its one of Alton Brown's, from the Food Network.  I've used it every year since discovering it.  It received five stars and four thousand and some reviews.  Really, you can't go wrong.  It even tells you how to cook your bird.  And a bonus for me, I killed a rooster two nights ago and ended up with enough homemade organic broth to use for this particular recipe. Score!

To top this countdown off, a lovely snow storm warning is in effect until 4:00 p.m. Thanksgiving Day.  They're talking nine or more inches of the white stuff.  But that's okay, because the plow is back on the tractor and ready to go.  Bring it on I say.

I am so very looking forward to four and a half days off from work, as well.  A little time to spend digging out the Christmas decorations, a little horseback riding, a little reading, a little more adding on to my waistline.... * sigh*