Day after Thanksgiving: let the shopping begin

If last night's meal is any indication of future T-day celebrations, then clearly I no longer give a turkey's tail. Compared to the modest little spread from 2010, our dinner of bbq'd turkey drumsticks, cranberry sauce, stilton potatoes, fennel/orange salad and chiles en nogada not only got smaller, but it also went across the border - to Mexico. I know it's stretching it a bit to prepare a dish that is usually served on a mexican holiday (and it sure ain't Thanksgiving), but this very luxurious version of a stuffed chile was too good to resist making. Filled with a combination of pork, beef, onions, garlic, nuts, fresh and dried fruit and spices, then dipped in a fluffy egg coating and fried, I can see why it merits a special occasion. The walnut-goat cheese sauce puts a rich spin on what is already loaded with flavors while ruby red pomegranate arils add that extra eye appeal. The taste? We both thought it was food fit for a king but I gotta say that chiles en rellenos is still my favorite.

Unlike the White Friday of 2010, this year the forecast was no snow and right now it's 52°F and sunny. Excellent weather for fall hiking, but if there's no white xmas? I've heard that you can predict the weather by the shape of a persimmon seed but the fruit on ours don't have any seeds at all and they aren't even ready to eat. Not even Eve would dare to bite one.