When Black Friday comes

I'm glad that the Black Friday sales that started right after dessert on Thanksgiving or the 3 a.m. special sales are (mostly) a thing of the past, I still plan to spend as little time as possible doing any shopping today. 

Each year we're guaranteed a day-long backup and slowdown on I-5 near the outlet mall, and parking lots everywhere are jammed with people who haven't been able to shop for almost 24 hours! It's a good day to spend at home!
 

Good reads

Here's to a happy U.S. Thanksgiving to all. If you're outside the U.S., have a thankful day anyway!
 

Taste test

Often the best part of cooking is the tasting!
 

All in the family

Imagine the leftovers from having a stegosaurus at Thanksgiving!
 

Sketchbook: Doing us the good we need

Those twin terrors of every Mormon meal.
 

Moving time!

This happened to me right before Christmas. One of my least favorite transfers ever!
 

Too soon?

I like the sentiment, but it may not be true when cooking turkey. Taking it out three hours too soon is probably a bad idea.
 

This spud's for you

I remember one Thanksgiving when I was about seven years old. We had Thanksgiving dinner with some near kindred. There was a dish of parsnips that I thought was potatoes — so I took a lot. Was I ever disappointed! Aaugh!
 

A word of warning

OK, purists might argue that the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come didn't wear chains. But then, Ebenezer Scrooge wasn't a Meleagris gallopavo domesticus either. We're taking a little bit of literary license here.

I also avoid green bean casserole. It's the mushrooms. Bleah!

I am that hero

I can guarantee you that cartoonists often draw stuff just 'cause they want to see what it would look like. In this case, I was not disappointed!
 

Sketchbook: We’ve all been there

 

But it’s got to have whipped cream. 

You’ll be history

I ran across this old cartoon and thought it would fit well with this week’s Come, Follow Me lesson materials. 
 

Phishing

I just assume everything is a scam. Especially if caller ID says it’s a member of the bishopric and I haven’t given a talk in a very long time. 
 

There will be no escape this time

Especially when it comes to pumpkin pie, I certainly don't want to escape whipping — cream, that is!
 

The heat is on

Things get a little crazy when you prep Thanksgiving dinner — yet it (usually) turns out to be just fine! 
 

Sketchbook: Straight and narrow

Our local missionaries used bowling as a metaphor. The Lord will always give us a second chance if we miss the mark. 
 

Tastefully done

Are you familiar with aspic? It was popular in its time, or so I’m told. 

I’m just happy for the return of the Shakespearean turkeys!
 

A+ work

It's been long enough that I don't remember. What kinds of things do missionaries stick on their fridge? Besides take out menus, that is!
 

A chill in the air

It's that time of year when those who are always cold seem to get a little colder.
 

A change of seasonings

I don't know why it amuses me to give turkeys names like Barry or Shirley. There's more to them than just Jenny or Tom.

From the Gee Whiz File: Barry Arnold was my best friend back in elementary school. We used to ride our bikes to 7-11 to buy candy, then go throw stuff in the canal to see if it would float. Good times!

Gee Whiz, Part 2: It's also Valerie's birthday today. Happy birthday wherever you are!

Gee Whiz, Part 3: A quick survey shows that other names I’ve used for turkeys include Bert, Bobby, Tommy, Tom, Ralph, Lenny, Maurice, Walter, Frank, Arnold, Roger, Ben, George and Marty. I’m not sure what to do with that knowledge. 

Sketchbook: Truth in advertising

At first I thought it would be a great idea if everyone had something similar posted outside their front door. But then I began to wonder what my sign would say?