It was a lovely Christmas Day at the Parks, though somewhat Bittersweet....The first Christmas without Betty, but her wonderful boys and their wives, did her proud, and all of us lifted a glass to her......
The table looked lovely and my little contribution to Christmas 2011 were the Chocolate Teddy Bears for the table.....
There was a lot of hustle and bustle in the kitchen, naturally.....Much attention was being paid to "The Turkey"......
And then, 'the boys', took the Turkey over to the Table, to 'rest'.
The other contribution that I make to Christmas Dinner each year is---I Carve The Turkey! Yes! And I really enjoy doing it very much.
That's Andy with me---we are talking about the readiness of this Beautiful Turkey......Andy had done all the preparation of the Turkey, including the Brinning and the Stuffing........Back in the late '70's or early 1980's Betty sewed an apron out of some old sheets of mine. It was for a scene we were doing at Theatre West for a Musical we were writing..Betty: Lyrics, Me: Music, based on the play "Cheri", by Colette....Betty and Andre Landzat played the leads and I played the maid and then went backstage to play the piano for the songs they sang---the Apron was part of my Maid Costume....
Forever after, this was and is the Apron I wear to Carve The Turkey...! The Beautiful Karen had washed it and ironed it so it was fresh and clean before the onslaught.....
And then, she helped get me into it......I sat on a stool in front of this gorgeous Turkey so I could carve it using the Electric knife.
This is the first time in all the years I have been doing this, that anyone has taken pictures of me actually carving the Turkey......
I actually only carved one whole side of this beautiful Turkey.....I'm sure the family will have another two or three meals out of it....It was deeee-licious, beyond words.....Tender and Juicy and perfect! Andy, you did a beautiful job.....Your Momma would have been so very proud....!More To Come........
Update on my Honey Boy: Sweetie came through the surgery very very well.....Though he is still not out of the woods, as they say...The next few days are rather critical, because of the possible bad things that can happen from this very serious abdominal surgery....Poor little guy....And we are still waiting for the results on the Biopsy. Best case scenario---what they removed, is Benign.....Keep those prayers coming......
- had this to say:
Wow, you are pretty wicked with a knife lady. Very nice job. I would never attempt that job.
So glad that even though you were without Betty, you were with her family.
Looks like you had a wonderful day and that is great news about Sweetie. I have been checking back for updates. Hopefully he will be home with you very soon. He is still in my prayers.- Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at 12:15:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
What a great Christmas you had!!! Love the photos!!!
Sweetie is in my prayers as are you!!!!! It's an ordeal for both of you!!!!
Consider yourself hugged!!!- Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at 1:49:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
Turkey looks delish! Happy Holidays to you.
The first Christmas without a dear one often seems strange, for lack of a better word to describe the experience. Enjoyed the memories you shared and photos of the treasured apron.
(I just discovered this blog disappeared from my blogroll -- don't know how or when. Hope no others are missing.)- Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at 2:17:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
Wow now that is a big turkey! I love the way you are wearing that apron. I hope being photographed didn't put you off the carving! :D I bought those Lindt teddy bears for my daughter's this year and they loved them. So cute with their little red jewel on their collars!
I'm so pleased Sweetie came through the operation ok, I hope the news is good. ;)- Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at 8:37:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
I'm so glad to know that you had a nice time with the Parks Family. Who ever knew you were a turkey carver!? I am impressed!
Praying for Sweetie to be good as new very soon.- Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at 9:10:00 PM PST
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had this to say:
Kudos on carving the turkey. I'm too lazy and have the butcher debone mine.
As for Sweetie, I'm your friend is on the mend. It's probably the thought of Christmas turkey sharing which did the trick!
Cheers.- Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at 9:26:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
So happy to hear good news of Sweetie and the prayers will continue.
It must be a comfort to Betty's family to have you there and continue the traditions. I also had to carve the turkey as MTL's hands are not yet working properly after the chemo and the electric carver was rejected by him years ago. At least it was deboned - like Randall's.- Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at 4:47:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
Dear Naomi,
What a great Christmas you had! It's so nice to have friends like Betty's family. Thanks for all pictures.
Turkey looks delicious! Love also seeing your photos!
Hopefully Sweetie will be home with you very soon. Lovely Sweetie is still in my prayers and positive thoughts.
Many hugs!- Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at 12:23:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
Naomi, I'm so glad you went to be with the Parks for Christmas! I know Betty was missed but how delighted she'd be to know that you were all together carrying on the traditions!
I am sooo glad to hear an update on Sweetie. I have been praying for that handsome cat of yours!!! I hope he mends wonderfully well and gets to come home soon! xxoxx- Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at 4:03:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
I've been thinking about Sweetie a lot
lovely holiday photos
I would never make you mad with a carving knife around ;)- Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at 5:30:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
Thanks for including me at your carving! What terrific apron! God Bless Sweetie. xxoo
- Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at 6:31:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
Hello, Naomi, and Happy After-Christmas and Before-New-Year! My blog visiting fell down completely over the holiday between illness, then catching up, but I'm enjoying doing so now.
I'm so glad you had Betty's apron and wore it. I loved your carving photos. It was a bit like having her with you during the festivities in some small but very personal way.
I am hoping that Sweetie's report is a good one. I looked down a post or two -- she is certainly a beauty. I know so very well how worried we get about our feline companions. Tonight was Gypsy's weekly electrolyte juicing for about 20 minutes. I'm so grateful that this helps.
Please have a lovely new year. I send you wishes for good health and the healing from saying goodbye to dear friends.- Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at 7:54:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
Gosh what a job you have! Carving the turkey! Though, I guess, if we had the tradition of turkey eating (in which we do not) I put money on that it would be I carving it!! Lol
So glad you got to spend Christmas with your dear Betty's family. She would've appreciated it as much as you did.
Merry Christmas Naomi. xx- Thursday, December 29, 2011 at 1:30:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
Its great to have some proper traditions like the turkey carving with the special apron! Happy Christmas feasting.
Will there be a turkey curry later?- Thursday, December 29, 2011 at 2:44:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
I am pleased that pictures were taken of you carving this huge turkey – you do look like a professional carver! I’d love to have a piece – it looks delicious. I am pleased that you had a nice Christmas and am doubly pleased that little Sweetie went through his operation OK – I hope he will be fine now. I really like your apron – that made carving the turkey a very serious business – and it is…
- Thursday, December 29, 2011 at 6:03:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
Beautiful Naomi,
Blessings to you in the coming year. May it bring you a Contentment and peace and satisfaction of a life well lived.
Realize the blessings you have been so generously
Given...wake every morning with a prayer on your lips and gratitude in your heart.
I thank you so very much for your friendship and mostly for your support. it means so very much to me.
I will be calling you after the dust of the holidays settles to set up a day to visit the tile house.
Respectfully yours,
Cynthia- Thursday, December 29, 2011 at 7:23:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
Great photos and looks like an artistic carving of a perfect looking turkey. I hope things are looking up with Sweetie soon. It's so hard when they are ill as they really are our kids. We now have a new one entered into the family and the squabbles sound like three toddlers. One thing for Sweetie, he's had a wonderful life and the love you give him has to help him fight for health.
- Thursday, December 29, 2011 at 9:34:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
Fingers crossed all is well with Sweetie :)
That turkey looks delicious... and I'm saying that after several days of eating turkey myself! :D
It sounds like you had a wonderful day.
All the best for 2012! :)- Thursday, December 29, 2011 at 1:59:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
my youngest just saw sweeti and said "AWWWWW cute".. I hope he gets better. Losing a pet is losing a friend. We are still fighthing fleas here with Snowie.. Yuckie..
- Thursday, December 29, 2011 at 3:13:00 PM PST
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had this to say:
Good news about Sweetie.
It's nice to see that the family's Christmas tradition carries on. That's what the holiday should be about; being with those people who are important to us. Happy New Year!- Friday, December 30, 2011 at 6:55:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
What a sweet story about how things can carry on the spirit of tradition and the memory of those we love. I got a hoot out of seeing you carve a turkey!
- Saturday, December 31, 2011 at 2:19:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
The table looked beautiful and I enjoyed seeing you in your apron carving the turkey.
I remember of course, reading about Betty awhile ago and so nice to see you spending the holiday with the family.- Saturday, January 14, 2012 at 11:37:00 AM PST
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