I didn’t intend on buying a motorcycle. If you remember, my car got flooded and totaled over the summer, so that left me without a ride. Celeste suggested a scooter since I am usually just buzzing around the neighborhood, but in order to get a decent sized one, I had to pass a motorcycle skills test. I have never actually ridden a motorcycle, so I took a safety riding course at the local Harley Davidson shop. I was expecting to be surrounded by people with names like Bud and Gus, but instead it was Lisa and Sandy, who had a several spirited conversations on menopause.

I was expecting tough as nails instructors who acted like drill sergeants, but they were really laid back and cool, and one of them even made animal balloons for our class picture.

I took a liking to riding a motorcycle, shifting the gears and all (though we never got out of 2nd gear). So, I decided to buy one. It’s not the biggest bike, but I think it looks cool, and should be a good starter bike. I will let you know once I get it in 3rd gear. I haven’t even ridden it yet and I already dropped it (whoops!). I will let you know how it goes. You can click the picture at the top of this post to see my new street monster (well, I guess it’s more of a cuddly monster), but I like it.

So, are we all fat and happy after our big meal? I finally bought a hog to burn the mean streets (I know, I need to work on the lingo), and will post some pictures. We saw the movie Four Christmases (I think that’s what it is called) Thanksgiving night, and laughed like crazy! Highly recommended. Here’s a video guaranteed to make you feel good.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Tell me, can we mix all of our favorite Thanksgiving leftovers together to make a unified sandwich that we all can enjoy?

Yes we can! (Sorry, I got carried away)

Why am I posting a Thanksgiving leftover sandwich a day before Thanksgiving?  Well, I cooked mine yesterday, so I have to do something with the leftovers.  I plan on having an early feast tomorrow, and then a movie, maybe Australia (though, it got a bad review in the paper today).  I will check my email tomorrow, so if you get stuck and need some help, let me know.  I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!  I will try something new, just pictures for the recipe, I think you could figure it out?  I will add a comment at the end of this post with the answers.

Alright, I roasted off the Turkey, and the result?  Not the Thanksgiving game changer that I was hoping for, but I don’t think you will write me a nasty email if you try it. (how’s that for an endorsement?)  I still think my mom’s upside-down Turkey was the best.  I will try and perfect that the next time I decide to post a Roasted Turkey recipe.  This version was fine, but not as juicy as I was hoping, and the salt didn’t penetrate the meat like I had hoped.  It tasted like a roasted bird, what can I say?  Not sure it was worth sitting in the fridge for a day before you were able to cook it, and the juices it gave off made the gravy salty. (members of my heart healthy plan stay away)  So, here’s the rest of the process anyways, try it if your adventurous.  By the way, if you need help with the big Turkey day, go ahead and email me, and I will be happy to help you.  My new website will have a live chat feature, but I don’t think it will be ready in time.

Rinse off the Turkey, pat dry, and roast  in a 325 degree oven until the thickest part of the thigh reads 165 degrees.

Here’s what it will look like when you pull it out of the oven (let rest for 15 minutes before carving)

And here’s what the meat looks like when sliced, now that doesn’t look too bad does it?

I am going out for a Thanksgiving feast with Celeste and my brother.  We have done Cracker Barrel the last few years, the first year was awesome (not so much last year), so we’ll see if we give it another try.  I did want to cook a Turkey though (if only for the leftovers).  I was tempted to cook it upside-down like my mom did last year (best turkey I ever had),  but was reading an article about salting the Turkey and letting it sit in the fridge overnight.  I brined a Turkey a few years ago while the boat was heading down to to Mexico.  That was a weird Thanksgiving with the Turkey swishing around in a big bucket of salty water as we pounded our way down.  The Turkey was good though, and I am constantly wanting to try new things, so we will see how this turns out as it is the same idea that the salt will penetrate the meat, and make it nice and tasty.

You rinse the Turkey (take the neck and gizzards out of the cavity) and put on a baking pan.  Mix 1/3 cup kosher salt with some peppercorns and a Tablesoon or two of poultry seasoning, and rub it on the bird. (don’t freak out, we’re going to rinse it off tomorrow)

Then all you do at this point is put it in a bag overnight. (18-24 hrs.)   Make sure you put it back on the baking pan so it doesn’t drip all over your fridge.

I will roast it off tomorrow, and report the results.  Then I have to figure out what to do with the leftovers (don’t worry about me, I think I’ll figure something out).

One of the things we learned in class was proper riding attire. I take this seriously, so If you are invited to ride along (I have to find a bike first), I insist on the right clothing. The enclosed photo is an example of what is not acceptable (wait, maybe we can meet in the middle?)

I was bummed as I drove for over an hour to buy the motorcycle, and it was sold! (not meant to be I guess) I had to drown my sorrows in BBQ. I settled on Lexington#1 and it was good, (love those hushpuppies) so not all was lost, plus it’s always good to do a road trip, even if it’s a small one. By the way, a bucket list is a list of what you want to do before you kick the bucket. I just love that video, I seriously had tears in my eyes from laughing so hard, that poor kid thought he was about to die, and the lady next to him couldn’t stop laughing. I am defrosting a Turkey, and on Monday will try a new way of cooking it, of course report the results.

I guess part of the reason I want to buy a motorcycle is because it would be on my bucket list. I recommend the movie if you haven’t watched it. I jumped out of a plane with my friend Cheffrey, and have crossed that off for good. I have so many more to cross off, we should all start a list. When I first moved to Charlotte Celeste took me to Carowinds (a big amusement park), and wanted to ride the roller coasters. I have always hated them, but did it once just to make sure (I still hate them). This poor kid in the video is what I looked like, and the lady on the left is what Celeste looked like.

I passed my motorcycle course with flying colors and jacked to get my hog on the road (o.k. I need to work on the lingo). I found a bike I want to check out, and it happens to be in Lexington, which is the BBQ capitol of North Carolina (1 bbq restaurant for every 1000 residents). I think I have done more research on which bbq joint to eat at than the bike! I will take my new camcorder and camera to report my findings, here is a video to get you up to speed in bbq. I hate class (my eyes were even glazing over in the motorcycle class) so this will be an easy overview for you.

Already?  Are you stressing yet?  I’m not cause I am not cooking this year.  I haven’t for the last few years.  The last time I cooked we had to rush my dad to the emergency room (talking about Thanksgiving drama), I swear it wasn’t my fault though.   I guess I better do some posts here to help with the biggest cooking day of the year.  Let me figure something out, I will maybe post some tips or something?  Let me know if you have any worries.  I just bought a real fancy camcorder, so maybe I will do a few videos?  That butt video inspired me to draw a picture of what Celeste’s butt could look like if she is not careful, I call it “Celestial Butt” (actually someone else did it, I don’t want to get sued).

Now we all have something to work toward next year. I am going to start training after the holidays. Bouncing a ball on my head is going to be a tough one though. (maybe I will use my butt instead?)

The picture has nothing to do with eating healthy or saving money; does anyone remember the Partridge Family?  Here are the rest of Tamra’s tips:

Menu planning – Make sure to plan your menus for at least a week before you go grocery shopping. This will allow you to pick up everything that you need at one time.

Grocery shop once per week – Consolidate your shopping into one trip per week.  You will save money and have less impulse buys.  The more you go, the more you buy.  Not to mention the extra cost of gas.

Shop without the Kids – Find a sitter or shop when someone else is home to watch the kids.  When I shop with my kids I spend at least an extra $20.00 per trip on things they ask for.  You will spend less on a sitter.

Clip coupons – Don’t be embarrassed to clip coupons.  I save about $10 per trip by using coupons.  You can find them in the Sunday paper or even online.

This is an easy dinner to put together, and always a hit.  You don’t have time to make pizza dough, so I recommend buying some from a  pizza restaurant.  I have never been turned down when I asked.  Most supermarkets or specialty stores also carry it now.  I would do all that I could to avoid the cheap, commercial stuff though; doesn’t taste good.  Whole food market makes a good whole wheat pizza dough, that is quite good.

Take a peice of dough, and roll it out with a little flour, or use your hands.  Then the fun begins.  The sky is the limit as to what to put in yours.  I used leftovers and made a a chicken, broccoli, and cheddar filling, but the classic way would be to take some pizza or marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, and then whatever meat or vegetable you like on pizza and put it on the rolled out dough.

Then all you do is fold the other half over the filling and crimp the edges so it all bakes up nice and happy!

Preheat the oven to at least 500 degrees and place the calzones on a baking sheet.  I brush mine with egg to give it a shine, but you don’t have to.

Then bake them for 10-15 minutes until they get nice and browned and enjoy.  Would be fun to get everything ready for a party and let the guests fill their own for an informal get together.  (and then have a godfather movie marathon)

This gospel show comes on after the Spanish food show. I told Celeste that I get such a kick out of it. Everyone is so happy, and singing gospel, there is comedy too. She grew up with these type of shows, so I don’t think she understands why I am intrigued by it, but I grew up in Seattle, and not religious, so I find it fascinating. It almost looks like it was filmed in the 80′s with the hairstyles etc. I found this video of the group, I think they must do a traveling show? I dare you not to at least smile when watching it, great slapstick comedy.

o.m.g. I am so tired! Everyone in the motorcycle class was beat! My bones hurt, and we still have one more day of riding. I am watching this pbs series I told you about, if you haven’t checked it out yet, it’s great! My friend Sandy sent me this video, Celeste also forwarded it to me last month, so it must be worthy of the cat video series (thanks Sandy).

I have bit my fingernails my entire life.  I was doing a test video a couple of months ago and saw my stubby nubs, was embarrassed, and decided to stop.  Funny how when you decide in your mind to do something, it can then be done.  Well, I haven’t bit them since, and at one point they were getting downright dangerous.  Celeste talked me in to a manicure, I guess there are guys who get this done, but I didn’t even have nails a few months ago, so I found it odd.   They also worked on my toes at the same time, it was a nice experience, but I certainly don’t see myself ever doing it again.  Did I tell you I am taking motorcycle classes? (that cancels out the manicure, right?)  I made calzones for dinner the other night, I will share tomorrow if I’m not tired from riding around a big, bad motorcycle all day (they’re actually small learning bikes).

I know, the anticipation, you’ve been waiting on the edge of your seat for weeks.  I couldn’t find any jpg. pics. but I found a couple of the first samples they sent me a few months ago.  These were the first round of revisions for the new look of the website, I didn’t choose any of them, but it does show the character.  Funny thing is with the new design I am actually going with, it probably won’t even be using the character.  I could still use him on the new blog and newsletter though.  I was thinking I might get him a tatoo with mom and a heart around it, and I could have him any pose I want, so I thought it would also be funny to have him flipping people off.  Wouldn’t that be great to return a nasty email with him flipping them off!  This first one is too funny, he’s serious (and patriotic), he’s not messing around, and your in good hands with him because he means business- here’s the link.  In this version, you get to see his happy side, the top right looks like a gay waiter (not that there’s anything wrong with a gay waiter), and I already told you I won’t be cooking in a floppy hat.  I do like the one on the bottom right, I kind of look like a monkey, but I still like it.  Here’s the link.

I can’t find a jpg. image of the final character, it’s got to be here somewhere.  You can see him a little bit and get a preview of the new website in the picture.  You can see it’s hard to concentrate with those pretty leaves and a pretty cat.

Leftovers are a big part of the Thanksgiving experience.  Let’s just hope this Thanksgiving your loved ones treat the pie better than Celeste did.  What happened to the good ol’ days of a slice of pie?