Walmart was jammed with shoppers. Listening to a couple of people talking on their cell phones, checking recipes, I realized that it wasn't just a matter of people entertaining large groups, which they rarely do any more. No, I think there's a whole bunch of people who just don't cook any more, except at holiday time. I mean, the rest of the year, they mostly heat-and-eat, or maybe slap some chili together or grill hot dogs and burgers. But Thanksgiving requires actual, composed meals, with The Bird, and potatoes, and 2-3 traditional side dishes, honest-to-God rolls, and several desserts. It's the culinary equivalent of a pilgrimage to the top of Mt. Fuji.
Our Thanksgiving will be a low-key affair. Anna and family are stuck in Richmond, since Brian has to work. Zach will probably be here, but go home Thursday evening. I bought the fixin's to make some sausage gravy and scratch biscuits at some point in the festivities, as well as a whole chicken, with which I intend to attempt Chicken and Dumplings.
I'd like to go spend a day or two in the holler, but things around here need a bunch of cleaning and setting to rights for what minimal Christmas hoopla we are taking part in. So, I'm not sure if I'm even going to the woods this weekend. Maybe I'll just sleep in.