Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

I went to lots of dinner and eating parties back then -- both corporate-office-bought and on the fly potlucks that were more my style. Ceasar salad and cosmos for sure. I think I had my first wedge salad in the 90s. Thai was popular. Lattes or even cafe au laits. Chilean and Spanish wine. So were micro brews. At the lower end for beer, Henry Weinhard's was big in the northwest where I lived. Prosciutto wrapped around things. Raw oysters. Cigars. Smoking of anything out in the open more or less. Sorbet for dessert.

I don't think I'll have snobs around, but my plan should make anyone's day go well. I plan to run 5k first thing. Then, I will drink and eat my way through the day, even as I'm preparing the meal. Also, I plan to make activities for the kids that should engage and entertain all the grown ups.

I would plan on 12 or more hours of work, including imagining and planning.

Planning, listmaking, and shopping -- 3 hours (maybe more trips to the store if you forgot something, but send someone else)

Pre Event work like making pie crusts and pies the night before, cranberry sauce, etc. -- 3 - 6 hours

TG Day -- 6 - 7 hours with many breaks

Martha Stewart has a good planning guide for planning: http://www.marthastewart.com/article/thanksgiving-made-easy?autonomy_kw=thanksgiving%20guide&rsc=header_2

I don't think the article is objectionable. The points made should be part of the discussion about where we get our food and how much it costs.

The Oakland Farmers Market (downtown) has a good organic blueberry vendor. I've been eating bowlfulls with banana slices. My guy adds yogurt. We also had buckwheat pancakes with blueberries last Sunday.

I just bought THE JOY OF HOME WINEMAKING by Terry Garey, and I'm thinking about making blueberry wine. If so, it's back to the Farmers Market this Friday!

I like and appreciate all the ideas so far so thanks a bunch.

I'm looking mainly for up(ish)scale with entres under $20. I dine with clients in the area quite a bit. Some times I go out with coworkers, and we like to have a nice drink with our meals. When eating alone, I'm more flexible. For example, I'm happy to eat from the Bread Store (I'm familiar with thins one) if it's just me and I want to take food back to my hotel.

I lost 25 or more pounds when I was studying for the bar. It was a freaky time, but I ate at least 2 meals a day. I made turkey sandwiches for almost every meal. Chicken soup is good if you're having trouble eating. I also ate apple and banana fruit salads.

It's lent. Even if you're not Catholic, it's a good time to give something up. I'm not sure if my new abstinence from alcohol has resulted in weight loss. It might.

Suckiness of all suckiness. I hadn't weighed myself in months, but they did it to me yesterday at the Dr.'s office. I'm 3 lbs. more than I was before X-Mas. I think I gained more than that over the holidays, so I may be shedding after all. We'll see.

Baked Squash Soup

Cut a butternut squash into 4 pieces. Remove seeds.

Bake in 350 deg. oven with:

1 chopped onion
2 cloves garlic
4 leaves of sage
A bit of rosemary
Salt
Pepper
2 carrots
Celery stalk
Spices like nutmeg, chili powder, and/or whatever else you like in a squash soup

After an hour or so (check for softness of the squash with a fork), take out to cool a bit. When the squash is cool enough, remove skin.

Add everything to 3-4 cups of stock or water in a pot (depends on how much squash you have and your preference for thickness). Bring to a boil, and then let it cool down a bit (5-10 minutes). Process everything in the blender in batches. Strain for a smoother soup, or eat it as is.

I absolutely agree about Bread Alone. The forward is indeed a love letter and inspiring for beginning and advanced bakers alike. Two standout recipes for me -- the French baguette (which takes some time, but is soooo worth it) and the angel biscuits (pretty easy and delicious!).

My brother and I were guests of a Oaxcan family, and they served us a gelatin desert that truly grossed me out. It was in layers, opaque in places, and full of foreign objects. Lime jello is fine, but this was really bizarre. What could I do? We'd just met them and would be staying with them for 2 weeks. Also, my stepmom made a fruit salad once with avacados and a super sweet heavy dressing on it. Slimy! Again, what could I do? Small portions and speed eating are my tricks in such situations.