Ah, the day after Thanksgiving--groan! Fortunately, I love Thanksgiving leftovers.Thanksgiving is the American holiday when the greatest number of people travel somewhere else to celebrate. Singing Owl was posting this from her son’s home in Minnesota where they were recovering from the food shopping and the preparations and the meal and the clean up. She says it is difficult to think of anything requiring much energy today, and is enjoying her sweet baby granddaughter, so she kept it simple.

1. Did you go elsewhere for the day, or did you have visitors at your place instead? How was it?
We stayed home, just DH and myself. It was quiet.

2. Main course: If it was the turkey, the whole turkey, and nothing but the turkey, was it prepared in an unusual way? Or did you throw tradition to the winds and do something different?
It was the turkey -- an Amish one, so no added ickiness (or gluten) in the meat. But ours was quadriplegic. With just the two of us, the breast was enough. It was roasted in a traditional manner stuffed with apple and celery for flavor, the stuffing is on the side (still haven't gotten the gluten-free stuffing right). But I tried apples and walnuts in my cranberry sauce this year. That was a big success. It also means I'll probably eat the rest rather than having it go to waste. Pumpkin pie with a (gluten-free) gingersnap crust was great!

3. Other than the meal, do you have any Thanksgiving customs that you observe every year?
no. When I was little it was off to my great aunt's to see my great-grandmother;'s extended family and all the second cousins. These days we're boring.

4. The day after Thanksgiving is considered a major Christmas shopping day by most US retailers. Do you go out bargain hunting and shop ‘till you drop, or do you stay indoors with the blinds closed? Or something in between?
shopping requires money. besides, it's snowing here. Although Target on-line is offering free shipping on toys for all the nieces and nephews. hmmmmm. I think I'll stay home and work on candidacy essays.

5. Let the HOLIDAY SEASON commence! When will your Christmas decorations go up?
See previous note about SNOW. Besides, I won't let DH turn them on until it's actually advent. It's my way of showing a little sanity in this perversion that has become more Commerce day than Christmas. The decorations will probably go up mid-week when it's dry and less cold.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.