Although this post is public, these words come from a private place of profound sadness and loss.
Several years ago, Vaana joined the Emergency Department, where I worked, as a baby nurse. Through the mentorship of established RN preceptors, she became a “grown-up nurse”, capable and competent, and, most of all, kind. Suddenly, tragically, we lost her just a few days ago. Since then, I’ve read dozens of memorial tributes from those who were once my ED family, but this one seems to summarize her best:
I can’t believe we lost this beautiful person who came to us as a baby nurse, who demonstrated such kindness and poise, who cared for others and then went home and cared for her family. She was loving and patient with all of us, she noticed people, she listened to people. She was just plain good. ❤️
Those beautiful, smiling eyes.
“Be kind. You never know what kind of battle someone is fighting.”
Her locker. 💔
The hospital lowered the flags in Vaana’s honour.
At the moment, I have no more to write. I just want this here so I can remember.
“Tradition is just peer pressure from old people.”
I don’t know who needs to hear this, but I must admit this “terrible“ thing to the world. I have always hated the mess of doing a turkey at holiday time.
A week ago I mentioned to my daughter and son-in-law that I had to get a turkey so I could cook the darn thing ahead of Christmas Day. I’ve done it that way for years, the family loves it, and at least the mess happens on a quiet day of my choosing. It seemed to be as good as cooking a turkey could possibly get.
I didn’t expect much of a response to my comment, but my daughter surprised me by saying, “Well, don’t make a turkey then!”
My jaw dropped, and before I could answer she added, “Our family likes chicken better than turkey, so get some rotisserie chickens. You can make good gravy with the bones, and it would be perfect.”
Without the slightest bit of exaggeration, I felt an enormous weight lift from my shoulders. My nearest Costco is forty-five minutes away, so the next day I Instacarted four rotisserie chickens from there instead of making the drive and battling crowds.
These babies were plump and golden brown, and so were the lovely juices at the bottom of the package. I got to work right away, separating the meat from the skin and bones. The meat went into a pan and all the rest, including the juices, went into a big pot.
Once I finish the messy part, I covered the skin and bones with water and stirred in a big dollop of chicken “Better Than Bouillon” and put it on the stove to simmer. The result was some really delicious broth to make into gravy.
I covered the sliced meat halfway with broth, and put the rest into a container. Into the freezer they went.
A couple days later I made dressing for the freezer, and freezer mashed potatoes. Then I did some research and found that red cabbage freezes very well so I’m about to prepare that for one of our sides.
On Christmas Day, the house always smells wonderful as things warm in the oven, and serving the meal is a simple as making the gravy and taking lids or foil off of casserole dishes and pans.
If you’re weary this year, make streamlining the meal your gift to yourself. If you can make even one food item ahead, please do it. Or else, order pizza or go to the Mandarin! Cooks everywhere should be able to have a life outside of the kitchen on turkey day. 😘 🍗
