Happy Thanksgiving

     My turkey is stuffed and in the oven. It should be ready to eat in about three hours (it's just under 12 pounds). My brother has just arrived. In a couple of hours it'll be time to start the potatoes and squash. Meanwhile I also need to make the cranberry sauce and I want to whip some cream for the pumpkin pie which will have to bake while we're eating the turkey. The mince pie is already baked, and I've got some sage cheese to go with it. Gravy, of course, gets made once the bird is out of the oven and resting on the platter.

     So now, while I have a moment, I want to wish all my American readers a Happy Thanksgiving; and of course I also extend best wishes to all readers around the globe. We all have our struggles and sorrows, some much more than others, but today let's also try to be aware of all the good things that we enjoy.

     Here's a video of the Catholic Church's ancient hymn of Thanksgiving, "Te Deum Laudamus," chanted by the monks of the Grande Chartreuse Abbey in France. It was sung by Columbus when he made land on his first voyage. For more information and a translation (from the Anglican Book of Common Prayer), see the wiki article. Also, when I have some more time, I'll try to get a video of the magnificent baroque version by Marc-Antoine Charpentier and post it on my music blog. But now I'd better get back to the kitchen.

     Happy Thanksgiving, everybody !


     edit: I've posted the Charpentier videos on my music blog.