Deep Fried Turkey!

It was my first Thanksgiving with extended family in fifteen years, I was excited! Even more so Thanksgiving day. I couldn't wait to spend time with family. I was stuffed to the gills with lamb, mashed potatoes, Christmas salad (family tradition, yes, done at Christmas too), gumbo (My aunt and uncle lived in Louisiana for a while), green beans (bleh)... I'm sure I am forgetting something. I even went back for seconds - did I REALLY need to? HAHA (no), and yet STILL had a slice of pecan pie AND chiffon pumpkin pie! (oofdah!) Afterward we drew names for Christmas. In times past we have drawn names and bought a gift just for that person, this year and in years past we have exchanged Christmas ornaments. I am painting mine for my person this year. :)

The next day 2nd cousin Otis invited friends to his family's house for a Thanksgiving lunch/dinner. Sadly, none of his friends showed. He did invite his aunt and three-year-old cousin from is dads side who did make it. He had fashioned a deep fryer from an old outdoor heater. Forty-five minutes and we had deep fried turkey! YUM!!!!
Deep fried turkey, amazing!!!!! We stuffed ourselves yet again. And then snacked on leftovers all day.

Friday night cousins Tracy and Jim and I went to and outdoor ampitheatre @ Viejas casino to watch "Legend of the Ice Princess"
It was about a young fairy princess named Crystal who has magical powers bringing winter to the holiday season. Pyrotechnics, choreographed fountains, lasers, lights and special effects brought this story to life. It was good, although I thought it to be geared more toward younger audiences. Although, the last line in teh story stuck out to me which was
~ "Believe in yourself, and hold onto your dreams"

Afterward, we went nearby to teh iceskating rink and sat watching the three boys was rather entertaining. I know my cousin Tracy was laughing at 'em. I had a great time just watching them and knowing they were having a great time. I forgot how cold Alpine can be! Felt a little like Montana. Just a little.

Adventures in Cooking I - Sick of the Microwave

Okay, so I am finding outI love to cook (except when I am hungry, then I find the quickest thing possible to make). I am just getting sick of putting things in the microwave. This past week, I spent a small amount of my grad money and went to buy a crock-pot from Wal Mart. The smallest one they had was I think three-meal sized. but no, I decided against that one, and bought the five meal deal. A bit more expensive (I think I only spent around thirty bucks) , but at least I can make enough meals to last a few days.

This whole thing with cooking has been quite the learning experience for me. Actually, the mishaps have been a bit on the comical side.
Learning Experience #1: I had just bought a Calzone Momma Zula's Pizza in the Country store on the UM campus. I lived in Pantzer Hall at the time and so wehn I got back to my room, popped it into the microwave to heat it up a bit more. Bad idea. I did not think anything of the foil wrapper it was in and within seconds heard what sounded like an inferno in my microwave. It happened so fast there was not enough smoke to set off the smoke alarm. Whew!
Learning Experience #2: I tried to cook a bowl of rice in the micrwave. I thouight a plastic bowl would work fine. When the microwave went off, I opened the door and pulled the bowl out, only for the bottom of the bowl (filled with mega-burnt rice) stayed in the microwave and the rest was in my hand.
Learning Experience #3: It was New Year's Eve 2000 and I had my best friend over at my parents when visiting mom and dad for the holidays. I made grilled cheese sandwiches on the stove. In the midst of all that...I set off the smoke alarm. Here's me flinging open every door in the house I could think of, and my best friend is wsaving a towel underneath the smoke alarm to get it to shut up. Meanwhile, the four dogs are having a cow! The sandwiches were a bit on the dark side, but not too bad.
Learning experience #4: I am too short when it comes to looking into any type of cooking appliance not waist level. Making rosette's I(deep fat ried cookies doused with colored sugar)one year for Christmas, I peeked over the deep fryer. I brushed my cheeck against it and OW! That hurt! Burn mark on my face. Oh brother!

J9 has basically banned me from ever using the oven, OR the stove. Food comes out fine there, seems I keep burning myself. Whilst trying to pour hot water into a ramen cup I think it was, the water accidentally ran down my arm. A slight burn on the forearm, and ruined my favorite sweater. Burnt a hole in the elbow.

I need to find me a man that can cook!

Rael and I put together a roast, potatoes and carrots, adding a few spices here and there, some beef bouillon and I cant remember what else. This time Rael hurt herself in the process, cutting her finger on the knife. She said it bled like crazy. I helped cut the potatoes, surprised I didn't cut myself.
how the meal turned out - scrumdiddlyumtious

Now about the counters in my kitchen... (stay tuned for that one)

More cooking endeavors coming soon I'm sure!