Leftovers . . . .

Slowly but surely, the food assortment on the kitchen island is diminishing.  Bill had a couple of bakery donuts this morning for breakfast.  They sure do smell good after coming out of the microwave.

Debbie came over late yesterday afternoon (Willie, as Bulldog assistant varsity basketball coach traveled to Coeur d'Alene with head coach Tyler Haines to scout a game)  to help us with the dressing, taters, turkey and such.  

She loves leftovers, and one mention that we had plenty to share was all the hint she needed.

Jonas, the cat, was trying to get some of the leftovers yesterday morning on the deck while a big family gathering was occurring in the living room.  

The new deck roof has opened up another opportunity, among many.  

With the barbecue grill on the deck for the winter, we were able to stuff the leftover turkey, stuffing, turnips, deviled eggs and sweet taters under the lid, using the grill as a satellite frig.

That, however, presents a tough temptation for a cat with a keen sense of smell.  Jonas checked for possible openings at all angles but finally gave up.

Our inside gathering featured leftovers and some fresh banana muffins baked by my sister Laurie.  

Cookies, candies, Joyce's wonderful apple pie, a plate of crackers, Cis' modified chocolate zucchini bread with quince pulp substituted for zucchini and those bakery donuts from Bonners Ferry Super 1, among other items,  made for quite the brunchy spread. 

Still, after all those morning visitors, there's plenty left.  I told Debbie last night to bring Willie over for the ZAGS game tonight, and, with luck, the leftovers dwindle.  What's left of the turkey and mashed potatoes may even turn into a dish all its own. 

I think I'll search for a recipe where I can use my abundant cranberry sauce, as last year's mixture stayed in a jar for a year.  In fact, I just dumped 'em out a few days ago.  

Cranberries keep pretty well, I noticed, but that one thin layer of gray stuff on the top indicated a trip to the compost container. 

I'll be glad when all leftovers have gone to their ultimate destination, which, from today on,  not a lot will go to my stomach.  

The Thanksgiving  and beyond overstuffed stomach is never a pleasant experience for me, so tomorrow, for sure, signals a return to my usual eating routine, which involves a lot less intake and a whole lot more physical activity.  

Last night after downing most of my plate of leftovers and letting Foster lick up the rest, I missed most of the action in the movie "Argo," even though I awakened from my couch slumber long enough to hear Debbie comment its intensity.  

Some day I'll have to watch the story from beginning to end, even though I do know it has a happy ending. 

Anyway, leftover time is winding down as is the big holiday period.  As I type, Annie's headed to Spokane Airport for an 8:30 flight after staying overnight in Spokane for a Pearl Jam concert, which attracted a lot of locals and even some of our relatives from Bainbridge Island.

She went with her friend Kelsi who, in the past 22 years, has attended no fewer than a couple of dozen Pearl Jam events around the country and even in Australia.  I believe this was Annie's second, and her reviews indicated a phenomenal show. 

A lot of the family visitors left for their respective homes yesterday after sampling leftovers, comparing notes on Kindles, i-pads, cell phones and even sharing a few additional thoughts on Bigfoot.  

My brother Mike also held a book signing with copies of his recently released Missile, Missile, Missile!

It was a good Thanksgiving.  I'm figuring on today, with the rain and soupy snow, being a fairly quiet, relaxing day--maybe even staying awake for a whole movie----all in preparation for the next burst of activity leading to Christmas and, for sure, another round of leftovers.  

Happy Sunday and safe travels to all.