from turkey to soup – a transformation

It’s Thanksgiving break and I am thankful. I was thankful Thursday morning and I am especially thankful as the break winds to close. It’s Saturday morning, I’ve been on break since Wednesday, really Tuesday night. Three days have passed seemingly in the blink of an eye, or rather two eyes.

I’ve been taking advantage of the break to a couple of nights of good rest. Wednesday and Thursday morning, I was up before the sun rose. Friday morning, I slept late and the sun was up and Ivy was gone. This morning, I was awakening as the sun was rising and Ivy was still nestled up against my leg.

On Thanksgiving Day, the turkey is my job. It’s a pretty simple job, though I have leared that some people make a mess of it. I follow a simple plan.

  • I remove the turkey from the refrigerator and allow to rest in the sink for an hour
  • Preheat the oven to 400F.
  • Unwrap the turkey, rinse, and pat dry.
  • Place the turkey in the roasting pan
  • Pour 1 quart of cold water in the roasting pan
  • Season with salt, pepper, and fresh thyme.
  • Insert the oven probe in the thigh, making sure not to hit the bone
  • Place the turkey in the oven
  • Set the oven temperature down to 325F and the probe temperature to 175F.
step 1 – roasting the turkey

That’s what I do. I use a meat thermometer to check the temperature of the turkey when the oven probe reaches 175 – just as a backup. This year, I added another 5F to finish the turkey and removed the turkey from the oven and covered it with foil until we were ready to eat.

When we were ready with all the fixings – mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes with coconut topping, Brussels sprouts, dressing, and gravy, I carved the turkey and re-heated to make sure it was hot. Then we sat down for Thanksgiving Dinner. It was delicious, but it tasted better because the family was together.

After Thanksgiving dinner, W cleaned up. An hour or so later, I finished the job and got down to the business of transforming the turkey into turkey vegetable soup.

I removed all of the meat from the turkey and broke the carcass into smaller bits that fit in the stock pot.  I cover the bones with cold water and placed the pot on the stove over medium-low heat. The stock then slowly simmers uncovered and it takes several hours to render the turkey stock. Before I went to bed Thursday night, I turned off the heat and covered the stock pot.

step 2, making the turkey stock

Friday morning, I began the process of removing the turkey bones and clarifying the turkey stock.  I was able to save some of the meat for the soup, but some of it found its way into Ivy’s bowl.

Onions, celery, carrots are next. Then I add the stock, the reserved turkey meat, a head of chopped cabbage, a quart bottle of spicy V-8, bay leaves, salt, pepper, garlic, and 2 bags of frozen mixed vegetables.

Then, the soup cooks covered on low heat for the remainder of the day.

We spent most of the afternoon outside transforming our house with Christmas lights to share the joy and spread the light of the season. We’ll be out again this afternoon, finishing the task.

Friday’s dinner was a bowl of turkey vegetable soup (or two) and a grilled cheese sandwich. It’s a Friday after Thanksgiving tradition.

We’ve been blessed with beautiful sunny weather to be out of doors and decorate. Friday, it was warm enough to be outside with only a light jacket. Today promises to be the much same – sunny and pleasant.

Soon, the weather will transform the landscape into a winter wonderland. But for now, the lawn is still visible and ground is still soft and unfrozen. We have a few leaves left to be gathered, but that will have to wait until next weekend.

The past three days have flashed past, but they were filled with what makes a home a home. Family, chores, and responsibility. I am thankful for chores and responsibility because it means I have a home and a family.

It’s Saturday morning and it’s gonna be a great day, so I’d better jump up, jump in, and seize the day.  Making the Days Count, one day at a time.

What have you transformed lately?

Today’s post is in response to this week’s WordPress Photo Challenge: Transformation. This week, share a photo that embodies transformation. As always, I’m eager to see through your lens.

12 thoughts on “from turkey to soup – a transformation

    1. Thank you Susie – every school year is a challenge to keep up with my writing and thinking as well as leading 124 excited and eager (and sometimes reluctant) 8th grade students in a learning adventure. That is a transformation, too. The soup was delicious and provided warmth and sustenance for a several days – lunches and dinners. Have a great day and fabulous Christmas season. Peace.

    1. We’ve been decorating the house since Friday. Lights in the front and the back, and we’re still not finished. The tree goes up next weekend. I enjoyed every moment of my five day break, including several bowls of the soup! Christmas will be here before I know it. Enjoy the season! Send pics of the Baer House!

    1. It’s been dinner the past couple of nights, and lunch, too. Better with a grilled cheese and squirt is sriracha sauce! Gives it a punch. Thanks for stopping in – have a wonderful week and enjoy the season. Peace.

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