Turkey Day 2K8

Editor's Note: Pictures to be posted soon. I took tons of pictures from my phone, but it is a tedious process getting multiple phone pics on line. For now, this one sums up the satisfying evening

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of year. It is a time when we reflect upon our lives and think about what we are thankful for. Or we can see it for what it really is; the pilgrims pillaged and raped the indigenous peoples of the Americas and later called it a celebration of peace. I will take the former just so I can have an excuse to eat delicious decadent treats.

Which brings me to my next point. I am so thankful to have such wonderful gracious friends. I am even more grateful that all of them have cooking skills. That proves beneficial on days like this, when some of us are not able to get to (or want not to get to) our families for a 4 day weekend.

Kansas City Chief and Blackjack have hosted a dinner for the past few years. But really just a venue for all of us to show off our kitchen masterpieces and it has been a fantastic time each year. KCC brines and cooks the fresh bird from the local farm; Blackjack makes a fantastic seasonal stuffing with sausage, cranberries and apples. They leave the rest to us:

As stated earlier, KCC brined a turkey with my favorite herb rosemary, it was one of the most perfectly cooked turkeys I've ever had. He also made a Brown Butter and Shallot Mashed Potato that was to die for. Who knew mashed taters could ever be so damned tasty.

The Garden District, in true form, provided a decadent Gnocchi with brown butter, parmesan cheese and bacon. Pardon me while I wipe the drool off of my keypad.

Southern Belle Bee prepared in house a dish of Kale, Smoked Bacon and Cranberries. He also contributed a yummy Pumpkin-Ginger Pie for desert.

Ya'll know I had to keep it real and represent with the Soul Food sides: Macaroni & Cheese, Collard Greens and a Sweet Potato Casserole, half topped with marshmallows and the other half topped with a toasted butter coated pecan topping (shout out to RSVP)

The piece day resist tahnce belongs to Sophia Spinelly, who provided a Cooking Light Corn Pudding that may put some Southern natives to shame and a Bourbon-Pecan Tart that would make Paula Deen do a jig. It was topped with a Maker's Mark Hand Whipped Cream that I might be spooning as I type. MMMMMMM! So goood.

We worked off our night by playing "Trailer" (formerly called Parlour) Games but not before Sophia took a quick break (pictured above).
Blackjack's co-worker, Sid, and his beautiful wife, Nancy, were brave enough to stop by and participate in the reindeer games. Sorry Blackjack, I hope you still have a job by Monday; or at least co-workers that still respect you.

But really, this has to be one of my most favorite T-Days by far. It might surpass the one when I was 20 and finally stood up to my older cousin who used to tease me as a kid cause she thought I acted too white. Kids say the darndest things...

The Return of PollyAnnie

She's baaaaack!! And in full force too. After somewhat of a tumultous tenure at the 703 location, she finally threw in the towel and told Frank's Fish House to stick it where the sun don't shine. Unbeknownst to her Frank's Fish Hut is a Black Hole. One can try to escape but you will get sucked, better yet, vortexed back in. I'm super happy she's back. When we saw each other it was like Nettie and Celie once again reunited after Mister separated them in The Color Purple. Sisters fo' eva and eva! Glad your back girl!

Point Pushers Week #5

I know this is boring, but I made a commitment and I am going to stick to it, for now. This weeks Point Pushers update is brought to you by Kansas City Chief. He went recipe free this week and we made some fantastic meals; Lasagna, Chicken Curry and even Burritos!! Yes, my friends I said it Burritos, low point Burritos!!! This hermana can't be happier.

Neither one of us lost any weight last week, but we both agree that we feel better and we see some sort of loss, despite what the scale says. Either way, I'm super excited for food this week. Now I have to start planning for next week. KCC is a competitive person so wether or not I like it, I have been challenged to come up with tasty low point treats. I'm pretty sure I can make a fabulously healthful tuna casserole. He'll definitely like that for sure!

Beach House Slumber Party

RSVP and Peanut graciously invited us to Peanut's family beach house in Stone Harbor, NJ. Since the season is over they figured it would be ok to make time for there C-List friends. We had a grand time playing games, cooking and strolling the beach in the nearly deserted town. It was awesome. KCC and I secretly made RSVP an early birthday cake in front of his face and he didn't even know about it until we surpised him at dinner. Thanks boys I had fun. More thanks to Peanut for pretending to like me while we played Scrabble. You know the game where Blackjack got 50 pts for SILICON? See you back on the streets of DC.

BFF's

I love my friends. I really really do. And it warms my heart even more when they show their love by giving me flowers. But when my Bestie thinks it's cute to present me with flowers in a lovely vase (pronounced vaaas) filled with a heavanly botanical mixture of Jack Daniels and Diet Coke I get a little perterubed. Especially since I was sippin' on it. Mexi' I love you with all my heart and I appreciate you wanting to express our everlasting friendship to the world but if you eva, eva, eva, f*uck with my drink again, you might find yo' self by yo' self; fell out in an ally cut up with razor blades and sprinkled with lemon juice... Love you Girl, mean it!

YES WE DID!!!

AH-MAY-ZING!!! America, you have your First New Black President!! What are you going to do now?! I am so full of emotion, awe, and amazement that I don't even know what to do. I am witnessing history right now. At 11:00pm EST, CNN Projected that Barack Obama was the new Presidential Elect!!! I literally went outside and ran the streets when they made the announcement (at the same time screaming into the phone to my Mom). I went out and fist bumped people, hugged strangers and thanked random folk for doing their part. People were so welcoming and so excited. I feel so blessed, privileged and lucky to be part of this historical moment. The picture above does not do this moment justice. This is a 3 block stretch of U Street where everyone is celebrating. 40 years ago there were riots in this same exact spot. I don't even want to think about what would have happened if he lost. Thanks for Barakin' the Vote Ya'll. See you in Disneyland Beeznatches!!!

Point Pushers Week #3

This weeks Point Pushers update has been pre-empted by Glamazon's new bling. She and her friend Madge (pronounced Maaadgeh) are here from She-Kaah-Go because they want to be here when 'IT' all happens. And by 'IT' I mean Obama winning. Anyway, my point is my girl's man just put a ring on her finger and we are very happy for her. This picture does not do this rock justice. I couldn't turn on the flash cause then you would all be blind. I'm still wearing shades it's so bright.

P.S. I gained 0.8 lbs KCC lost 3. I hate boys.