11-26-2025 — T’day minus one

Howdy all. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I certainly hope everyone has a wonderful day surrounded by friends and family and have plenty of good eats all around. I took my mostly defrosted “free” turkey, from Giant Eagle’s loyalty points, out of the fridge this morning to get ready for brining.

About 10.5 pounds. But I’d guess some of that weight was really just the water (ice) inside. I pulled the neck bone out and trashed it. And there doesn’t appear to be a giblet packet. Also chopped of the tail. Always hate seeing that blob on a cooked turkey.

The pot, right beside the turkey, was what I hoped to boil/simmer it in. Doesn’t quit fit. The legs stick above the top rim of the pot. But for brining, it will do fine. I used a ziplock brine bag in the pot and it can go above the pot easily. My “brine” is just a bunch of ingredients I hope add some flavor to the bird, but yet keep it as safe eating for Kitty. I used Apple Cider as the base. And then Kosher Salt, Cinnamon, Sugar, Peppercorns, Carrots, Celery, and Turkey seasonings (Thyme/Oregano/Basil/etc.) No onions nor garlic — bad for cats.

The turkey will get to sit in that bath until tomorrow morning, and then, well, I guess I’m going to have to use a roaster bag/pan to cook it. If it had been the 8 pound turkey I was hoping to get, it would have fit easily in the pot. Will cook just as easily in the oven.

Of course, any plans are going to possibly be modified by the weather. The morning started in mid50s, and now at 10:15 it is around 43. Headed to 30ish by late tonight. The winds have started, and are to get worse.

The winds are to stay in the 25-30 mph range with frequent gusts even over 50mph.

I am glad I am not traveling anywhere this week. For those of you in areas with this weather, be safe out there. Expect snow whiteouts on the roads and prepare for electrical outages.

I’ve mentioned I abhor the noise of the winds, so this will not be a fun few days. But do your best to be safe and Enjoy Life