We had a thread last year about being alone at Christmas.  While I am alone with no family and friends too far to go to, I am once again giving back to my community.

Last year with very little time a small number of us raised the $$ and put on a free Christmas Eve dinner for those alone, the seniors and whoever showed up!  We fed over 80 people!

This year we're doing it again!  We started fundraising earlier, shopping earlier and Saturday's the day!  The sign-up sheet is at over 90 people and won't close.  Our City leaders made a big contribution as did our Chamber of Commerce and we've even had donations from friends of mine in Seattle.  Instead of a birthday gift last month, they pooled together and gave me $120.00 for our cause!

I've been shopping, making deals and looking forward to this week.  One local grocery store donated the 7(!) turkeys I'll need.  So I've started cooking.  The picture shows the 80# of turkey I cooked today and there's 60# more tomorrow!   Wednesday is a prep day of onions, celery, red peppers and garlic and bacon.   Thursday is a morning of stuffing--it takes about 15 boxes of Mrs. Cubbinson's.  The afternoon is green beans forever!  24# to be exact!  A "kicked-up" green bean casserole.  Friday is our slice-a-thon of the turkey's and the 20# of ham and transporting all to the senior center and setting up.  Saturday is 144 Rhodes rolls, warming everything up and potatoes for 100!  That's deluxe Idahoan's from Sam's Club with a big kick of sour cream in them.  Desserts I'm glad to say I'm not involved in!.  I think I'm doing enough.  But wait!  I still have to cook on Christmas Day!  O.K., only me, a prime rib and champagne! I know it'll be PJ's all day!  I'll post about the chaos!

There is nothing more important this time of year than joining in and giving back!  Those of you in the big freeze can still go out and help!  Ask you church, senior center or other groups how YOU can help this Christmas!  There are SO many in need.  Get out in your community and help!  Greg

Operation Turkey is over!  I've roasted 133# of turkey in my GE profile range with superb results!  Using convection roast has been great and being able to put 2 birds side by side is even greater!  I used 4.5 qt. Pyrex pans with racks.  A little basting and the only seasoning is salt and pepper.  Out here in the country "citified" food gets noses out of joint!

I've also posting a picture of my kitchen to show how big this little  kitchen is and how functional.  I put lot's of thought into it!  There's also a shot of my pantry closet where my microwave and toaster oven reside.  I had enough moisture and smoke from the oven today that I'm glad I can turn my hood to 600 cfm!  Can't do that with an OVR!

Tomorrow start with errands-why is it that your printer runs out of ink the AFTER you've been to Office Depot?  Then an afternoon of the oven cleaning and me chopping, dicing and frying 3# of bacon! Happy Holidays!

Thanks!  I try and thanks for not mention the word TURKEY!  It's going to another year before I can look at one again!  Greg