The Kindness of Strangers...

Hey everybody!

Sorry I didn't post yesterday, but I couldn't get to a computer. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday and were able to spend it with family, or at least some close friends.

The band and I were lucky enough to be treated to an incredible Thanksgiving feast given by some very kind people we met in Elko the first time we visited. Stacy and Kim, along with their beautiful daughter Madiera, invited us over to their place for dinner.

Kim outdid herself, preparing everything expected (and a few things that weren't) and ensuring that no one left hungry! We had turkey that was falling off the bone and very flavorful, a ham studded with cloves (which I'd never had.. VERY good!) and finished with a honey-citrus glaze, cauliflower gratin, green bean casserole (complete with Durkee onions on top), mashed taters (with lumps so you KNOW they're real!), candied yams (another first) and the traditional sage dressing. Kim had never made stuffing from scratch before, and me being quite the expert, I was a little skeptical. After looking at the recipe though, which bore quite a resemblance to Grace's, I was relieved. After tasting the finished product, I assured Kim that she was, in fact, a stuffing expert!

(A tip for all you cooks out there... next Thanksgiving, do NOT put stuffing inside your bird. [sorry Dad...] Stuffing your bird can introduce bacteria from the bird's cavity into the stuffing. Plus it makes the bird take longer to cook, which dries out the white meat, and the stuffing is hard to get fully cooked. So if you want stuffing, make "dressing" instead and bake it alongside the turkey in a seperate container. Ahh, the things you learn from Food Network...)

Kim also had two WONDERFUL pies, pumpkin and apple. I, of course, gorged myself on the pumpkin pie, as it is my favorite! Kim didn't have a pie pan, so she baked it in a 9x13 baking dish. This was actually a pretty cool thing, because the pie was easier to cut and also easier to serve. All in all, it was a wonderful meal shared with great friends. I hope your Thanksgiving was as wonderful as mine.

This being the day after Thanksgiving, the busiest shopping day of the year, I thought I would publish my Christmas List so no one has to ask Mom "What does Keith want this year?". I really don't want much except to be with my family. There are a few, moderately expensive things that I would like though, if you feel the urge to buy a gift:

An Apple iPod or the Dell equivalent. (I'm not sure what size memory though, so if anyone can help with that, please email me)

Starbucks, Wal-Mart or Best Buy gift cards. ($20 goes a LONG way at Starbucks!)

Time-Life Classic Country CD series

"Genius Loves Company" Ray Charles' last studio album

"Greatest Hits" or "The Complete Country Western Recordings" by Ray Charles

"Queen on Fire at the Bowl" DVD (probably a special order item)

"Spider-Man 2" DVD 2-disc set

Superman DVD boxed set (I think there's a set with all the movies)

Family Guy Volume Two DVD set

Smallville 3rd Season DVD set

That's all I've got for now... going to go to the Sound Stage website though, so I might find some other concert videos.. he he he! Don't feel obligated to buy a gift though, because Christmas is not about presents, it's about the togetherness of family and friends, and that is the BEST present!

Ta-Ta For Now! (TTFN!)