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Pastimes : Don't Ask Rambi -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Rambi who wrote (61057)	11/22/2001 9:47:25 AM
From: Mac Con Ulaidh	Respond to of 71178

A happy Thanksgiving, Rambi and all. Whether the young folk have hair sticking out all over and tattoos that show, or the old people are grouchy, or the middle-aged people put-upon, or the little ones whiney... the food will be good! Uhm, I meant that is a "togetherness" thing. Sounds a bit odd on rereading. But you know.

To: Rambi who wrote (61057)	11/22/2001 2:59:56 PM
From: Lady Lurksalot	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 71178

penni, I'll second that emotion. So, are you going to tell to us the tale of Ammo's grand entrance? I am waiting with bated (baited?) (if not durianed) breath! Warmest wishes to you and yours for a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving. Holly

To: Rambi who wrote (61057)	11/22/2001 3:19:56 PM
From: Constant Reader	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 71178

As my way of giving thanks for my friends at DAR, I am sharing my closely guarded and never-before revealed "secret recipe" for the smoothest cheescake on Earth. I can't take credit for the recipe itself as someone gave me this recipe when I was in college, but it is positively the most delicious I have ever tried despite (or because of) its deceptive simplicity. Enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving to a great bunch of people! The Smoothest Cheesecake On Earth Crust: 1 package graham crackers rolled into crumbs (makes about 1½ cups) ¼ cup sugar 5 tablespoons melted butter *Filling:* 2 8-ounce packages cream cheese (softened to room temperature) 2 eggs ½ cup sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla *Topping:* 1 cup sour cream ¼ cup sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla Preheat oven to 375° F. Mix crust ingredients and pat firmly into the bottom and 1/3 of the way up the sides of a 9" spring form pan. Beat filling ingredients with a rotary beater or electric mixer until satiny and pour into crust. (This marks the difference between a good cheesecake and a great one: don't stop mixing before it gets 100% smooth and satiny. Patience is the key - absolutely no clumps, however minute, is the goal.) Bake 20 minutes, remove from oven, and cool 15 minutes. Meanwhile, raise oven to 475° F. Blend topping ingredients and spread gently over cheese filling. Return pie to oven and bake 10 minutes longer. Cool in pan to room temperature, then cover with foil and chill 10-12 hours before serving. Serves 10 (about 430 calories per serving)

To: Rambi who wrote (61057)	11/23/2001 8:55:20 AM
From: Ish	Respond to of 71178

You only thought you had a big Thanksgiving meal. I know these people and it's no joke. Normal woman serves holiday dinner to 92 family, friends By Scott Richardson Pantagraph staff NORMAL -- Mary Jean Kraft is the hostess with the most-est -- the most guests for Thanksgiving, that is. Kraft, 69, had 92 (or was it 93?) relatives and friends Thursday at her rural Normal home on Towanda-Barnes Road. For more than 30 years, she has hosted her sisters and brother, her sisters' children and their children for food and holiday fun on Thanksgiving Day. This year's menu featured several turkey breasts and hams, dressing and 25 pounds of potatoes. The guests brought salads and desserts. "It is crazy," Kraft said. "But family is a blessing. We have to be thankful that we can all get together and enjoy one another. It's just wonderful." The tradition of the Thanksgiving feast began simply. It was just her parents, Tom and Fauntella Maloney; her two sisters, Louise and Marge; and their brother, Tom, now Monsignor Thomas Maloney of Epiphany Catholic Church in Normal. As the children grew up, the event was held in the family home in downtown Bloomington across the street from the former Holy Trinity convent. As with other families celebrating the holiday, the guest list began growing after the sisters married and began to have children of their own. Louise Ralph of Springfield had nine children. Marge Handley of Decatur had four. Mary Jean had eight. The list lengthened when the children began having kids of their own: Louise has 23 grandchildren; Marge has 12; Mary Jean has 17. There were 52 children on Thursday's guest list. "There are lots of diapers," she said. Friends drop by every year, too. Carol McCue has been invited since the mid-1970s. She and Mary Jean met at a Chicago hospital when McCue had a sick uncle and Mary Jean's oldest daughter, Lisa, fought an unsuccessful battle with leukemia and died at age 17. McCue makes the dressing. The Rev. John O'Toole and brother Bob make the trip from Chicago every year. "They usually pick up a dessert or two," Kraft said. The dinner continued after Lisa's death, and the deaths of Kraft's parents and her husband, Louis. Others were born and grew up to fill the spaces at the table. The latest arrival is Kraft's granddaughter, Cassandra Rose, born Aug. 11. The farmhouse is large. Still, it's best when the boys play outside -- that is, until they explore the farm and get too close to the pigs. The girls, the oldest one in her teens, spend time talking about what girls that age do. The men and older boys play touch football in the yard or watch one of the games on television. Eating is done in shifts, with the dishwasher running constantly in the background. There is no fighting. The atmosphere is calm despite the crowd, Kraft said. "The nice thing about Thanksgiving is that you can enjoy the day with no last-minute shopping hassles. It's not the same pressure as Christmas," Kraft said. Most of the guests left Thanksgiving night. In years past, many stayed over. "I say, 'Thank you, Jesus,' " Kraft joked. "It's one thing to cook for them for Thanksgiving, but to cook breakfast, too Š" How long will the tradition continue? "I take it one year at a time," she said, laughing. For now, she can relax for another year. For Christmas, the crowd breaks apart to hold individual celebrations. Kraft hosts a "small group" -- just 32.

To: Rambi who wrote (61057)	11/24/2001 12:48:38 AM
From: Mac Con Ulaidh	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 71178

You know the Rev. Shuller dude from the crystal cathedral? I just heard him say the coolest thing ~ "read the bible like you eat a fish. Carefully. Don't choke on a bone." Some people really are like a fine wine.

To: Rambi who wrote (61057)	11/24/2001 1:00:42 AM
From: Mac Con Ulaidh	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 71178

I'm watching Politically Incorrect while reading. Duh. white-haired old-man preacher just said ~ "I don't live by regrets. I live by dreams". He is so kicking everyone's ass, and they go quiet when he starts to talk. He's worth a new visit, I think. He's saying some of the most thoughtful, wise, things I've heard since 9/11. He is so clearly sincere, and without an ounce of anger or hate in him. Awesome. Edit ~ Sadly, Bill Moyer is showing his theological ignorance as he says what Islam is all about. Don't these people brief themselves before they speak?