First Day of School

Today was my official first day of school. Although I have been going to school for the past month, today is the day I started with my friends and classmates (don't read that as my classmates that are my friends, read it as my friends and then those other people I have to put up with to get my education). As per tradition a first day of school picture was needed. The only problem was that Tracy was leaving before me and I hadn't had time to shower and get dressed in my brand spanking new clothes...so here I am, first day of my 2nd year of culinary school, in my penguin pj's with my knife kit.

Life is good!

Brett and Revanna Cook a Turkey - Part 2

We took the took the turkey out of it's brine and put it in the roaster at 2:00 pm. The roaster was a little tiny for our big bird and we didn't have a rack...

We put tin foil over him and put him in the oven...just like that. No seasoning, no nothing. We weren't really sure how it was going to turn out, but we were optomistic!

While the turkey was the oven Brett made the stuffing

And I made dessertAfter 1 1/2 hours we took the turkey out of the oven and removed the tin foil. It looked a little ugly, but we basted it in butter and popped it back in a hotter oven to get nice and brownButter makes everything better.

While we waited for the turkey we had a mini dance party...It was "Lean on Me" how could I not get emotional!

By the time the turkey was ready for it's second basting it was starting to look more like something we might want to eat.

It was at this point when Brett and I first started smelling the turkey...ah the sweet scent of thanksgiving!

And then just like that we had a brown and juicy turkey...Isn't he a hunk?

His wings and back fell off when I removed him from the roaster...so that's really the only good picture of him!

Then we made gravy. We, because sometimes we do stupid things, tried the turkey juice drippings. A brined turkey makes very salty juice....It was like taking a gulp of sea water!

The evening went by very fast after that....

Brett and I got our "Look at what we made" picture:

(It is a very unattractive angle for the turkey)

Then he carved it....using a spatula.

It was impressive.

Then we ate. After all the time we spent tending to our turkey it was a sweet, sweet, reward to be eating such a juicy, fine bird.
I hope all of your thanksgiving dinners were as yummy and laughter filled as mine!

I am thankful for...

The sun...

Today was the first day in a week that the sun has shone. That is not an exaggeration. This morning I woke up to the sun shining through my window and I was so grateful. It is amazing what a day of sunshine can do...especially after a week of gray.

And while the sun never lasts forever, neither does the darkness that comes after it...

Thank you Sun!

Brett and Revanna Cook a Turkey - Part 1

This is our turkey:

Here he is having his bath and getting his 'goodies' removed:

Since he was still frozen a bit we had some trouble getting his neck out...thankfully Brett seemed to be an expert at Turkey Wrestling and with his incredible arm strength he was able to get the darn neck out!

Now, maybe you're wondering why we're doing all this now when we're not having the Turkey till tomorrow. Well, the answer is, Brett and I are adventurous and decided we would brine the Turkey over night. This is supposed to make the turkey even juicer and flavorful than usual...its like giving the turkey a day at the spa. We didn't have a container big enough to completely submerge the Turkey so we've decided turning him a few times will do the trick. I'm planning to get up every two hours during the night to turn him. Ha! I don't think so!

Turkey is currently chillin' in the fridge until tomorrow! He seems pretty happy!

Stayed tuned for "Brett and Revanna Cook a Turkey - Part 2"!!

I am thankful for...

My family. My immediate, my extended, and the ones I've picked up along the way. I love these people. When I am with them I am comfy and warm...and when I am far, far, away from them my thoughts are always on them. These are my people. And I am so thankful.

Its...THANKSGIVING!

Happy Thanksgiving Saturday everyone! I can't say Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, because there are just too many to choose from, but it is pretty high up there. I love fall and I love hearing what people are thankful for and sharing what I am thankful for. Over the weekend I'll share with you all what am I thankful for as well as documenting what is going to be known as "Brett and Revanna Cook a Turkey". It should be entertaining....and hopefully delicious!

Requests

This is Isabelle. I have known her so long that I can't remember how old I was when I met her. Let's just say that she's been a part of a big chunk of my life! She's appeared on the blog a couple of times and is probably the person that leaves the most comments! I swear she checks the blog once a day and I will get email's saying "Where's a new post?" or "DIDI! POST SOMETHING NOW!". She can be quite demanding...and I usually listen. She is Vice-President at her school, after all! I asked her recently for some ideas about what she wanted to see on the blog and then I thought I'd ask all of you too! So, what'll it be? Is there something you want to see here, or a question you have for me, or anything you can think of! I'm up to any challenges and would love to hear back from you. Now, I must go work on Isabelle's request...another walk down memory lane!
P.S. Isabelli, I know you're out there reading this and I just wanted to say...I love YOU!