Saturday, November 29, 2025 – Day 473
Saturday, November 29, 2025
Good morning, everyone.
Today is our Thanksgiving celebration. We pushed it to the weekend to make sure the kids could join us, and I’m glad we did, I think.The only hitch? We’re expecting a good amount of snow…which means if I can’t safely get out to the grill, then Cindy will be flying solo getting the turkey underway. And this isn’t just any turkey… it’s a nearly 24-pounder. That’s seriously over the top.
I’ve been brining the turkey overnight the last few years, and between the brine and the smoker, the meat always turns out delicious and moist. No sense in changing a winning formula. Of course, with ALS limiting what I can do, that means the entire process falls on Cindy…who, let’s just say, is not a fan of handling birds. Raw or cooked. A simple boneless breast would work for her. No dramatic presentation needed.
Before starting, Cindy peppered me with questions about the brine… every step, every measurement, every detail. She wanted to get it right. Once she had her marching orders, she headed to the kitchen while I stayed upstairs watching the Bears game (which the Bears actually won, by the way…worth noting).
From upstairs, I began hearing a variety of noises that suggested the brining process had taken a turn. A few sighs. A few muttered frustrations. Then poor Bear got yelled at, for reasons unknown, but clearly he was not helping the situation. I considered rolling in to check things out, but honestly, I would’ve been more of a liability than an asset.
About an hour later, Cindy came upstairs to report that the turkey was now officially “in the brine.” Bird in the brine. Tell me that doesn’t sound like a country song waiting to happen. 🎶
Then she told me what happened: when she cut open the packaging, the turkey juices flooded the counter, dripped down the cabinets, and pooled on the floor. A true poultry tsunami. No wonder Bear was catching some heat. I felt terrible—what a mess to deal with.
So now this ginormous turkey needs to make its way onto the grill early this morning for a mid-afternoon feast. But if this storm really drops 12 inches of snow on us, we may need to adjust the timing. If the roads get dangerous, I’d rather people stay home and stay safe.
No matter how the bird turns out, we’re going to have a great Saturday celebration meal. Unlike a Thursday Thanksgiving meal, the stores are open today if we need to buy in any part of the meal.
Have a great Saturday, everyone. Stay warm, take it slow out there, and if you’re traveling… increase that spacing. Winter driving is no joke
Love you guys!❤️
Photos today…
- Coco working on her bottle cap bracelet.
- Grandy at the card game. I wonder, did the deal me in?
- Grandy in the ocean…which I never do. There are sharks in those waters.
- Wyatt and his buddy Spencer in their PJs enjoying the morning sun.
