Turkey Story…Part II and The End!!!!!

Boxing Day is always, for me, a day of relaxing in pj’s or something very comfortable, enjoying whatever rhythm and pace my body dictates, leftover food, good music, good company, and on occasion, as will happen today, a jigsaw puzzle. This boxing day is unfolding as it should

We’ve had much rain over the last few days but happily, able to enjoy a lengthy walk between downpouring’s each day. These photos are from Christmas Eve.

Joanne and I had explored a small, very pock marked, but obviously frequently used, farm road. I say that because we came upon an enclave of gorgeous properties with magnificent gardens that simply called out to be photographed. I love these finds.

Our Christmas Eve dinner was simply perfect. Marc and Joanne hit the kitchen, I “gussied up” the living room with candles, lights, and table setting. Marc had created a very flavourful fresh beet dip, served with a huge platter of crudities. Two kinds of homemade empanadas, one with curried ground pork, feta, and mushrooms, the other, shrimp with chives and parmesan. We had the usual olives/pickled onions and finally a platter of amazing cheeses. I won’t mention the wine as I would have to use plural words!!!

And finally, the turkey story!!! You might recall in a previous blog I had mentioned that I had gone to our local butcher, literally a three minute walk from our front door, and I had utilized a series of charades, the occasional Portuguese word or so, some French, a bit of English and the ever present gobble gobble in order to order this bird. I wasn’t at all convinced that I had made myself clear however at that time, I was willing to live with the outcome.

Christmas Eve I went to pick it up. Greeted with big smiles, Boas Festas, and the recognition that I was here to collect my bird. When she (the butcher) pulled it out of the fridge and handed it to me my first reaction was disappointment as it was only 8 pounds! I usually cook about 15 – 20. In any case, I thought to myself that this was more than sufficient and a sign from the universe that I didn’t need to be doing the big bird this year.

Came home, put the bird in the fridge and never even looked inside.

Joanne and I enjoyed a lovely long walk Christmas morning while Marc was being creative in his atelier. Once home I cleaned up, and headed into the kitchen. First thing on my list was to finish making my stuffing and once done, I reached into the fridge to take Mr. Turkey out and start prepping.

I put my hand in the bag to pull him out and immediately stabbed myself OUCH! Started to roll the bag downward and discovered that I had not only a lovely fresh turkey BUT…..a completely entire fresh turkey with head, feet, and all the internal body parts!!!!!! I truly simply froze in place, panic and horror surging through me. OMG! That lasted all of a moment then I decided, come on Mister, this is not the end of the world, you can do this. And so I did. I have decapitated my first turkey and by the time I was done, it might have been the cleanest fresh turkey I’ve ever cooked!

I have to say, it didn’t go over well when I ran around the living room with the turkey head in my hands gobbling like an idiot!!! I am however very proud of myself that I was able to achieve such success in my butchering skills. Perhaps a new career??

The rest is history now and I have yet one more travel story to add to my repertoire. We enjoyed a wonderful meal together and by 10 p.m. we, all three, were rubbing our bellies, sipping the last of our wine, and smiling contentedly with the tryptophan starting to lull us into a state of reverie. Another Christmas in the history books.

And in closing a couple of shots that I took over the last few days during our walks.

Our sunset last night

And finally, our afternoon project, at least for Joanne and me.

Happy Boxing Day to all.