I sent my 5-year-old grandson, Jake, a Thanksgiving book a couple of weeks ago. I send my grandsons a new book for every holiday, any and every holiday for which a book has been published. It's my grandma signature.
This year I sent "Albuquerque Turkey." I love rhymes, so that title caught my eye right away. The text of the book was supposed to be sung to the music of a children's song that I can't remember the title to right now, but at the time I thought it was cute.
I stood there in the bookstore, turning page after page, singing the words to myself. Apparently, I knew the song then. I really wanted to sing it out loud to hear how the rhythm sounded. I refrained from embarrassing myself because I can't carry a tune to save my life, but I have a feeling other book grandmas would have understood.
They'll probably also understand that a song I knew two weeks ago escapes my memory completely today. I hate that.
Younger Sam got "Five Silly Turkeys" with shiny fabric tail feathers on each page, and simple words and rhymes. I loved that book, too, and so did Sam. My son told me that next to the Halloween book I sent Sam, this is now his favorite one.
Sunday night Jake sang most of the book to me on the phone, so apparently he liked his book, too. That made me so happy. I love being the book grandma.
The kids keep all of Sam's books in a drawer he can reach, so every day, usually a couple of times a day, he opens the drawer and pulls out all of his books. He likes lift-the-flap books, which is what the Halloween book was, and when he lifts the flaps of that book, he says "boo" each time. Is that cute, or what?
I loved books as a child, and I'd spend as much time in the library as I could get away with. I still love books. I'll happily read the day away, but that doesn't happen too often.
Every once in a while I'll allow myself that luxury. With Christmas coming up I think I'll read "A Redbird Christmas" by Fannie Flagg. I read it last year, and I enjoyed it so much I thought I'd make it a tradition.
A Christmas story I remember reading as a child that made a big impression on me was "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry. Maybe I'll read that one, too.
But I won't start reading Christmas stories for a couple more weeks. It's not even December yet, after all. There's still all that Thanksgiving turkey to deal with. One way to use it up is to make soup.
Here's an easy and delicious recipe using turkey or chicken. It's one of our favorites, and I hope you enjoy it, too. I ran this recipe a few years ago, but I've changed it a little, and it's worth repeating.
Creamy Turkey and Vegetable Chowder
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup sliced fresh mushrooms, or more if you like
1 and 1/2 cups milk or half-and-half (half-and-half is really best)
1 cup chicken broth
1 (10-3/4 ounce can) cream of potato soup
1 (10-3/4 ounce can) cream of chicken soup
2 cups cubed turkey or chicken
1 (11-ounce) can Mexicorn, undrained
1 (4-ounce) can chopped green chile)s, drained
1 and 1/2 cups (6-ounces) shredded sharp cheddar cheese, Mexican 4-Cheese Blend or Monterey Jack
Salt and pepper to taste
1/3 cup chopped green onions
Fresh cilantro
In a large pot (like a Dutch oven), melt butter. Add onions and mushroom, and saute until onions are soft and translucent. Add milk or half-and-half, chicken broth, potato soup and chicken soup. Blend well. Add turkey or chicken, Mexicorn and green chile's, mixing well. Cook over medium heat at least 10 minutes, but longer won't hurt a bit, stirring occasionally. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Just before serving, add cheese and stir until melted. Add green onions. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro.
Makes 8 cups and is really good served with quesadillas.
Sharon Vail lives in Powell Butte. She'll still spend as much time as she can in a library. Readers may contact her at svail3@netzero.net. "Cooking from the heart of Oregon" |
