Happy Gracias-giving!

What’s with the taco turkey? As some of you know, and others don’t, I moved from beautiful Sonoma County, CA, to beautiful San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, two years ago. And despite a bounty of Mexican feasts & festivals, some stateside traditions hang onto expats’ coattails crossing the border. Thanksgiving is one.

This holiday, my SMA family of neighbors is hosting a full-fledged Friendsgiving with all the usual suspects: sweet potato casserole, greens, gravy, pumpkin pie… And, of course, the star of the show — Golden Big Bird (sans taco shell).

Thanksgiving is, after all, the one day we applaud the biggest turkey in the room. And I’m not just talkin’ Mr. Butterball. It’s a day when human “turkey butts” are spotlighted, too!

Anyone who’s cooked the holiday beast, or been awarded the honor (er, nightmare) of replicating Grandma’s “best-ever” gravy, potatoes, or pie, has a personal “turkey tale” to tell.

Here’s (one) of mine…

It was a dark & stormy night… (oops, someone else’s lead). And all the stockings were hung by the chimney with care… (Sorry! It’s just so dang tempting!)

Anyway. It was a perfect Thanksgiving day. Blue skies. Soft breeze. All Northern California vineyards & trees dripping with autumn-toned leaves… And I was excited about hosting holiday dinner in my new home.

All was calm and bright (I’m keeping this one!) as I awaited Mom & Brother John’s arrival. Until…

Mr. T decided to take up smoking. The combo of his tin-foil tuxedo & high-temp oven (recipe required) sparked unrelenting alarm from “Sally,” the smoke detector, (who I hadn’t yet met).

Nothing stopped Sally from shrieking. Even unhooking her power didn’t silence her singing: Fire!

So, defeated, I retreated to the back porch — awaiting HELP! with a calming glass of Pinot. And thankfully, a few sips in, my cavalry came… with a twist.

After exploring the smoky situation, Brother John shook his head and said, “That wasn’t the smoke alarm you dismantled, Sis. It was the doorbell.”

The moral of my turkey-butt tale? Don’t eat crow over your faux pas, make a memorable meal of them! Blunders are a “best-ever” seasoning for storytelling. 

And now. I’ve got to go… the doorbell’s ringing :>)

Wishing you all a Thanksgiving stuffed with lasting memories!

~Karen
Your Crowing Crone