What's on your Friday menu, RNYers?

Julia, I'm sorry that you were feeling pain this Thanksgiving. I love the holidays, but have also had some lonely and difficult ones, and I agree that they can throw into high relief the difference between what we ideally envision, and what we actually have. Sending you a virtual hug! I hope that you feel better.

P.S., Your pumpkin custards look absolutely delicious!

I've always regretted I didn't come from one of those close knit families, but at least I have family around - and some of them live in the area, so we do get together on birthdays and holidays. It'd be great if we were emotionally close too, though. But at least they're here physically...or some of them, anyway. My sister keeps talking about moving to Nevada and my mother is in her mid-80s, so who knows how long this will last, though. At least I have DH. But being alone like that, Julia, would be really tough. I'm not sure what to say. Maybe there are really no words.

I can say that that pumpkin custard looks great, though...

Holidays are tough for a lot of people, be kind to yourself!

Would you send me the recipe for your pumpkin custard.It looks so good.a roux en y 2003. From 312 now 136. This starts the hard times for me also. My husband died also.Even with people around it does not fill the void.

Hello my Thanksgiving weekend friends! Happy Friday!

I had a very nice Thanksgiving, but both my son and my DIL were sick, poor kids, and they ended up staying home. I went with my DIL's mother, who knew the way. We had a nice, mellow gathering a couple of rainy hours away. It was stormy and very windy on the water, but the power stayed on! I brought some amazing good cheeses (Murray's Aged English Cheddar (fabulous) and an amazing English Wensleydale cheese with festive cranberries (wow, exceptionally good!), plus others) and some excellent kalamata olives, and prepared a big cheese plate which was a big hit, and of which I consumed too much. But it was delicious! I also ate two crab-and-lobster stuffed mushrooms, turkey with a little gravy, asparagus, and a small spoon of tiny creamed onions. I avoided the stuffing, potatoes of all kinds, rolls, and desserts altogether, so all in all not too bad. I was grateful to be sent home with a Ziploc baggie full of turkey! Thankfully, the scale this morning once again read 136.2 for the fourth day in a row, and I was happy to see it holding steady!

QOTD: I would like a bottle of Feminite du Bois by Serge Lutens, and/or a bottle of Aerin Lauder's Lilac Path. I always ask for books, as well; this year is no different. This year there is also a specific necklace that I would absolutely love to have, too; it's unlikely, but we will see. But honestly the biggest and most important thing for me is to spend time with those I love; that trumps presents by far.

First: Three big mugs of tea, one with Vanilla Bean Torte protein powder stirred in.

B: turkey

L: eggs

D: turkey, with a little cheddar

Have a wonderful Black Friday, my friends!

That is a very important thing to remember - love trumps stuff! Is the Murray's aged English 'the' cheese??

Yes. I think it's probably the most flavorful sharp cheddar I've ever had. I'll look up the branding on the Wensleydale cheese today, too. It is also exceptional - truly delicious!

Where did you find Murrays? It's coming up as a specialty cheese shop.

I found it at my local QFC, which is one of the Kroger companies. Ralph's is also a Kroger company. Try there, if they don't carry it, maybe they can order it for you!

Just in case you are interested, the other cheese I found excellent is called Wensleydale with Cranberries, by Somerdale. Not non-caloric, but outstanding!