Oh, Boy, put me on that plane

I am so looking forward to the trip on Thursday with many members of the family getting together for Thanksgiving.  Now that I am over my spell of an allergy attack which I thought was a cold, but wasn't, I am in rare form for this trip. I keep a kitchen journal and looked back to note I get this every autumn in one form or another and I had exactly seven days to get over it. When I was teaching I blamed it on the new class and getting used to them while building up a resistance to whatever they brought to school in cold form.  Well, enough of that, it's solved for now.

I have a lovely pot of pasta with shrimp and cod.  I miss being able to step out the back door to cut fresh herbs to my heart's content. Some live in the conservatory, but they are not happy there. I think this dish needs a fresh cutting of herbs to liven it up.

Andy has chosen to skip New Orleans for Thanksgiving, so I am trying to come up with some dishes that he will like on Thursday while we are feasting in Nola.  Mac and cheese is a favorite, some deli turkey for sandwiches would satisfy him and when Mike gets home on Saturday I think they will find some favorites at a carry-out.

I am sure those of you that are hosting this year are hard at it by now.  So many things can be made ahead it has become easier as the years roll by.  Then it will be cookie baking time.  Cook's Corner had a nice cookie section (booklet) but there were fewer recipes and more stories than in the past.  People do not have time to send in their tried and true cookie recipes now days.  One way to get a fix is Martha Bakes on public television on Saturday.  She always makes the most unusual cookies and those that are favorites she gives them a nice tweak or twist, all without splattering her sweater. Sigh.

Happy holidays.  Will write again on Tuesday.