Thanksgiving Post 2008

Here is the traditional Thanksgiving post. I think stuff like this becomes traditional on a blog if you do it more than once, and this is the second time I have done this. I did it last year, with an addition. Feel free to look at those posts too, since they have some good links as well. As for me, I will probably be traveling on Thursday to spend some time with my brother's family. Our mother's health is a bit (very) frail, and she is in the hospital. Thus we will probably spend some time bringing her some cheer as well. I have to work this Saturday (because some administrator has the "brilliant" idea we should open the library on Saturday), so we are coming right back on Friday. As I often say, if you are traveling, may your travel be safe. If you are staying home and having people over, may it be a happy time with minimal stress. I even threw in a useful link to keep the stress to a minimum during the dinner. And by the way, if you choose to drink adult beverages, please do so in moderation.

Here then is a collection of links to entertain my two readers as well as provide a few useful things for the holiday.

Facts and trivia:

• The Bureau of Labor Statistics offers some statistics spotlighting Thanksgiving. For example, did you know that turkey "has usually been less expensive during November and December than in other months"? The cynic in me would have thought the opposite would be the case.
• The American Farm Bureau reassures us that the traditional meal is still affordable. Take a look at average costs of items and total costs.
• Get sleepy after the meal? The turkey contains tryptophan, which combines with other things from the meal, like all those carbs along with some alcohol, to make you sleepy.
• As many know, the U.S. President pardons a couple of turkeys every year. You can still vote for their names. Go here. The pardon happens on November 26.
• Alaska Governor Sarah Palin pardoned a turkey up in Alaska, but that was not as successful given the background for the event.
  

Recipes and food:

• Disney Family has a themed page for Thanksgiving with recipes and games. All sorts of neat stuff for the kids and families.
• When it comes to food, you can always count on Epicurious for Thanksgiving recipe ideas.
• Many people love the leftovers. I am not one of them. Mr. Breakfast helps out with some recipe ideas for those leftovers.
• The Norbest turkey marketing co-op has a lot of tips for handling turkey such as how to select a turkey, whether to go frozen or fresh, and how do you know if it is done or not.
• Wonder how the astronauts up in the Space Station have their Thanksgiving meal? Wonder no more with this informative essay from NASA.
• But what happens if you happen to be Vegan? Well, fear not. Here is a site with some recipes and ideas for our Vegan friends. Nava Atlas also has some ideas for our vegetarian readers.
  
• Curious about old recipes? What did they make back in the olden days? Here are some old recipes, courtesy of Pilgrim Hall Museum.
• Lifehacker links to a video for making a better sweet potato dish. Personally, I do not particularly care for sweet potatoes (I will eat them, but I do not favor them). Anyhow, this is a nice alternative to the usual canned stuff.
• Maybe you want some wine with your turkey. I happen to like wine, and I often bring a bottle or two when I visit someone for a meal like this. Usually, I tend to favor local wines, so in this case, that would be Texas wines. But, what kind of wine? Martha Stewart seems to have an idea or two. Also get some ideas from Eat. Drink. Better.
  
• If instead of wine, you happen to be a beer drinker, we've got your back here too. Beer Advocate has an article on celebrating the holiday season with a beer or two. The article covers pairings from aperitif to after the meal. Find more on pairing beer and food at the Seasonal Beer and Food site. You may also want to put the beer in the food, like making a beer can turkey. Find one such recipe here from Cooking for Engineers.
  
• Now, you could also have some Wild Turkey to go with your turkey. Yes, I mean the bourbon. Get some ideas on enjoying Wild Turkey from Liquor Snob.
  

You, well, most of you anyways, will be spending time with relatives, some of which you probably don't get along with. Be smart. Here are some topics to avoid during the dinner.

Happy Thanksgiving!