January 26, 2014

White Dog and the White Dog Army pressed together in the doorway of the kitchen. They were supervising Michael's first attempt to cook a whole turkey, which he got on super sale and from which he hoped to gain almost two week's worth of dinner and lunch meals. There was no shortage of volunteers when, following Steve's instructions, Michael at first daintily tried poking in a spoon and then squeamishly thrust his arm into the bird's cavity to remove the innards. Michael looked and asked whether he would have to eat those parts; the consensus from the White Ones was "don't worry, just toss them over here, you don't even have to cook them!"

While Michael was making the bird oven ready, Steve reached under the cabinet and pulled out the big stockpot. Then he took a pair of stewing chickens from the refrigerator. This was too good to be true! The WDA shuffled and pushed their way a little further into the kitchen so that they could oversee BOTH operations.

Steve filled the stockpot with water and a few spices then added the hens. He told them, "keep careful watch! These are for your dinners this week!" YoYoMa promptly sat right in front of the range, eyes fixed on the pot.

Not to be left out of the cooking fun, I stirred together batter for pumpkin brownies and chopped apples to be used in the cinnamon apple sauce that would top them (along with vanilla ice cream if Steve and WD had their way). Bella was my special helper until she exhausted herself dancing next to me with each addition to the bowl.

As everything cooked and the house filled with amazing aromas, Steve called the WDA out for a bit of romping in the yard. It was a lovely sunny nearly 60-degree day (sorry winter weather socked friends) so he left the back door open for some fresh air exchange. The WDA appreciated the chance to run and fetch but the smells drifting from the kitchen were too compelling. After only a brief time, one-by-one the Army snuck back into the house and found places to rest, I mean supervise, near the cooking.

Ahhh, Sundays!