Monthly Archives: November 2005

Turkey Day disasters

Nov. 23, 200511:09 p.m.

It’s bound to happen. The jokes. The ridicule. All of these things followed, hopefully, by a piece of sweet pumpkin pie. You see, last year one of my younger sisters omitted the sugar — all of it — from the pumpkin pie she made for our family’s Thanksgiving dinner. (C’mon. Give the girl some credit for undertaking the new task and trying to help Mom.) But come dessert, we were left with pretty much a squash souffle. Yum …

It’s been such a joke that she received a five-pound bag of sugar with a pumpkin pie recipe for Christmas. The recipe is now laminated and taped to the top of her sugar bowl. And she’s promised not to make pie this year.

So may you all have a sweet Turkey Day. And post your Thanksgiving disaster stories here.

Posted by Lori O’Toole Buselt

By Lori O'Toole Buselt | Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (0)

Day 4 - Tom takes a bath (it’s about time)

Nov. 23, 20059:47 p.m.

Nosey Norton (the pug) spies on Tom (the turkey) during Tom’s bathtime. I used 2 cups of kosher salt, 2/3 cup granulated sugar and filled the cooler with water and ice.

Tom will bathe for twelve hours (more time than Norton has spent in a tub during his entire life).

Posted by Jaime Oppenheimer

By Lori O'Toole Buselt | Filed under Food and Drink, Holidays | Comments (0)

Day 4 - the fridge is FULL

Nov. 23, 200511:31 a.m.

I opened my refrigerator this morning and thought I was dreaming. Was this really my fridge? The last time I looked there wasn’t much in it: a turkey, three different kinds of milk and some beer. I’m not sure where all this food came from but it’s plentiful.

I think we’ll all have a ton of leftovers after tomorrow. Here are some tips on how to store them safely.

posted by Jaime Oppenheimer

By Lori O'Toole Buselt | Filed under Food and Drink, Holidays | Comments (0)

Day 3 - house guests begin to arrive

Nov. 22, 20059:57 p.m.

Tom is defrosting nicely. He’s starting to feel less like a bowling ball and more like a worn softball.

My sister (that’s her in the photo eyeing the beautiful bird) and her husband arrived from Chicago tonight. My brother-in-law fell asleep after two beers. He won’t last long on Thursday after Tom’s tryptophan hits him.

posted by Jaime Oppenheimer

By Lori O'Toole Buselt | Filed under Food and Drink, Holidays | Comments (1)

Is it just me?

Nov. 22, 20052:24 p.m.

…or does "Desperate Housewive’s" nutjob pharmacist George look an awful lot like Beavis?

–Posted by Denise Neil

By Lori O'Toole Buselt | Filed under Television | Comments (0)

Cult of Oprah alert

Nov. 22, 200511:53 a.m.

The Queen of the Universe, Oprah Winfrey, has just come out with her annual list of favorite things, the majority of which we mere mortals won’t be affording — diamond watch, $105 jar of face cream, you get the idea.

There are a few exceptions, like the $25 box of brownies and the $62 bottle of Sarah Jessica Parker perfume. (Will it smell more like sex or the city? Hmmmm.)

Check out all the goodies here.

– Posted by Denise Neil

By Lori O'Toole Buselt | Filed under Television | Comments (0)

Day 3 - it’s in the bag

Nov. 22, 200511:21 a.m.

Some of the wisest women I know are teachers and hair stylists - they both mold the thing on top of your shoulders. These women have given me some great advice through the years.

When Mary Anne (a kindergarten teacher) and Aquarius (my hair stylist) both said I should put my turkey in a bag, I bought one immediately. They say that it’s a fool-proof way to make a juicy bird.

The bag I’m going to use is an oven bag. Eagle food editor Joe Stumpe once thought he could use a plastic grocery store sack to roast his turkey. It caught on fire after two hours, but he claims it was still edible.

The folks from Reynolds say it’s going to be simple to make my meal in their concoction. I’ve asked Mary Anne’s granddaughter to model with the box since I’m watching her today and she’s refusing to take a nap. NOTE TO HER PARENTS: The plastic bag is removed from the box.

By Lori O'Toole Buselt | Filed under Food and Drink, Holidays | Comments (0)

Retirement at its best

Nov. 22, 20057:00 a.m.

Kudos to Wichita’s senior citizens, whom I have witnessed living it up around town in recent days.

Example 1: One lovely older woman asked a sample-giver at Sam’s Club if the egg nog was spiked with rum. (Did I mention that it was before noon when this happened?)

Example 2: A happy-looking older couple came out of an Old Town restaurant. Each had a walking cane and a doggie bag. (Did I mention that it was after 1 a.m. when this happened?)

Posted by Lori O’Toole Buselt

By Lori O'Toole Buselt | Filed under Random thoughts | Comments (0)

Day 2 - edible artwork

Nov. 21, 200510:51 p.m.

I just got back from Target where I bought a few ingredients I’ll need for my feast. I saw something very unique in the dairy section that made me feel like I was at the Kansas State Fair on a smaller scale. It was a tiny butter sculpture in the shape of a turkey.

The butter turkeys must’ve had a rough time in the shipping process — they were all decapitated! I didn’t buy the edible artwork since I already have a headless turkey in my fridge.

Posted by Jaime Oppenheimer

By Lori O'Toole Buselt | Filed under Food and Drink, Holidays | Comments (0)

Wanted: Your gift disaster

Nov. 21, 20054:31 p.m.

Used Tupperware? An ugly sweater in the wrong size? Tell us about your gift catastrophe: something you received for the holidays that was completely - well - wrong. We plan to feature some in a future WichiTalk issue. Post them here or e-mail lbuselt@wichitaeagle.com.

Posted by Lori O’Toole Buselt

By Lori O'Toole Buselt | Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (0)