Dinner for something like 24 tonight. 18 adults, 6 kids or something... The menu:

Pumpkin, Corn & Lemongrass Soup
Organic Greens with Pears, Candied Pecans and Champagne Vinagrette
Spice Roasted Turkey with Gravy
Bacon greased brussel sprouts
Hazelnut butter green beans
Traditional Mashed Potatoes
Traditional Stuffing

-- the soup, I didn't get to try
-- the salad I didn't get to try

When you're cooking for 24, it's a well orchestrated event... you don't talk to me, you don't expect me to smile... no cooking for 24 is like CATERING... I enjoy it, I get into it, but don't expect me to be social during it. It takes brain power, coordination and, frankly, balls. So leave me alone until the food is on the table then pour me a HUGE glass of the best wine on the table.

When I started making the turkey this morning I was a bit freaked... it didn't smell or look quite right.. I didn't realize the gravy was so involved in the pre-roasting period and I underestimated the effort. I was worried enough that I sent for store bought canned gravy "just in case." For those of you that don't know me, it is pretty momentenous that I would ask for this. I would never serve store bought canned gravy unless desperate.

I had everything prepared at just the right time. My mom helped, there were so many people about it was hard to keep it all straight and I'm sure my energy is equivalent to, well, bitch. That's okay... anyone pulling that off would be a bitch. In the end, the beans rocked, the brussel sprouts (I mean how can you go wrong with bacon grease?)... the turkey was amazing and the gravy was hands down the best gravy I have EVER made.

I opened Jenna's bottle of Talley Pinot (which everyone loved) followed by a bottle of Cakebread Cab. Those were pre-dinner-ed with a lovely Beajoulis and a Chianti. Maybe dinner tasted so good 'cause I was already drunk?

Needless to say.. I'm not planning on practice tomorrow :)

The kids were up at 5am. Somehow they decided it was okay to open their stocking before we got up. It was interesting to lay in bed and listen to their conversations... the ones they don't think we can hear.

Merriest of Christmas to everyone on planet earth.

Jaya Hanuman...

Son of the Wind
Victorious Son Of the Wind