Chill, Dude

I started to relax around 9:30am Thanksgiving morning. I made a double batch of that Apple Cider - Bourbon punch, and stepped out into the driveway to watch the Turkey Trotters cruise by. Up until that point, I was locked into Planning Mode, intent on serving the holiday meal at 3pm. Every hour for the rest of the day had a specific mission. Prep the Corn Bake. Light the grill. Make the herb mayo. A chain reaction that culminates in the culinary equivalent of splitting the atom - a perfectly-executed holiday meal, with friends and family.

But the bourbon started to flow, the conversations with all of my friends as they trotted by…the schedule became less important. I was still diligent, I kept at the tasks of preparing the meal. But I was less focused on the clock. Which worked out, because an additional two or three dishes arrived that required precious oven time. Oven time that was already allocated. Thank God I decided to cook the turkey on the grill! I moved the finishing of the sweet potato pavé to the stovetop (where it quickly delaminated, separating into a delicious mush).

Things happened when they happened. We all had a great time. Everything was delicious. The food was just one dimension of the day. We crashed hard, going to bed early Thursday night. Friday morning, I attacked the rest of the dirty dishes and pans, fully reclaiming the kitchen. At 1pm, we piled into the car and drove into Columbus. We picked up our friend in Italian Village, then headed south to German Village. We went to The Book Loft, where we met every single book reader from the Columbus metropolitan area. I could have smooched thirty dozen people as we scooched past each other in the narrow hallways and staircases of this famous store.

Some coffee at the adjacent cafe, followed by a casual stroll to Schiller Park had me thinking of Granny Bell, who grew up in this part of town. I wondered where her childhood home was. The homes around the park are wonderful - I had to consult Zillow to settle a difference of opinion regarding their market value. We arrived at Cobra Bar exactly at opening time, 4pm. They served us perfect cocktails, and perfect food. Truly - the burger was world-class, the French fries crunchy and fluffy and potatoey. Popcorn chicken, Asian dumplings - it was all great. Then we scooted home.

Saturday was The Game. I rucked five miles in the morning, then shuffled over to Three Tigers (my go-to joint to watch all the big games). Three pints of pilsner, one Rueben burger and one Buckeye victory later, and I shuffled home.

These three days of go-with-the-flowiness were not completely planned, but embraced as they unfolded. Well, mostly embraced. There will always be a part of me that looks forward to holidays as opportunities to get more work done while the rest of the world takes a break. Even though that was my “Plan A,” I’m glad that I went with Plan B instead this holiday weekend.

Sunday Supper

There is nothing more simple and satisfying than a good pot of pinto beans and ham with some cornbread. Throw some chicken on this Italian Brussels Sprout Salad and atone for some of your Thanksgiving overindulgence. This Slow Cooker Hoisin Garlic Chicken will do nicely as well.

Sunday Music

Bill Evans, 1966. Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen, from just this past Friday. And here’s Alison Krauss & Union Station from earlier this Fall. Enjoy!

If you know anyone who might like this essay, please share it with them. 



Have a great week ahead!  You can do anything you set your mind to. Let me know how I can help.


Peace & Love,