I think I told you about Brendan, didn't I?  My he's a fine cook!  Here's a look at his most recent creation - a REAL Reuben Sandwich with his corned beef (cured right here), sauerkraut (made right here) and Andrew's Thousand Island Dressing (made right here.)

 

Right after this picture I ate.

 

YUUUMMM!!

 

Here's our menu for Thanksgiving Dinner to go for this year.  We'll be making the whole meal for you to pick up on Wednesday.  (Don't worry, we'll include instructions.)

Please order before Monday, November  23 if you can.)  Order for one or for 40.  And yes, you can get just parts of the meal if you wish, though don't you think it'd be fun to have us make the whole thing?

 

Here's the menu:

 

Thanksgiving 2009

 

At the start:

 

Smoked Trout Pate

With Roasted Garlic Crostini

 

**

 

The Dinner:

 

Oven-roasted Turkey with Fresh, local Herbs

 

North Carolina Shiitake Mushroom Gravy

 

Cornbread Stuffing with Hickory Nut Gap Apples

 

North Carolina Sweet Potato Wedges with a Sorghum Glaze

 

Brendan’s Southern-style Green Beans

With Bacon

 

Laurey’s Jubilee! Chutney

 

Soft Rolls made with YellowBranch Farmstead Cheese

 

**

 

The Sweet Finish:

 

Traditional Pumpkin or Apple Crumb Pie

 

Price per person: 29.95 + NC State tax

 

Call us!

Dinners come with a freshly-made green salad, salad dressing of the day,

and made-right-here bread of the day. We take reservations until noon or so.

 

Please order by phone (252-1500), by fax (252-0200)

or stop in to speak to one of us in person.

 

 

Monday November 2 Chicken and Leeks with Parslied Egg Noodles 10.75

 

Tuesday November 3 Shrimp enchilada with Guajillo Mole 12.25

 

Wednesday November 4 Spaghetti and Meatballs with Parmesan Cheese

 

Thursday November 5 Pub-style Fish and Chips 12.50

 

Friday November 6 * Black Bean + Chocolate Chili with Twice-baked Potato 10.75

 

* these items are Gluten Free

We make a special casserole each Wednesday.

 

Order by noon or so. Order a half if you have around 4 folks. If you have a bigger group, or you just like leftovers, order a full-sized one.

 

Then come pick up between 3:00 and 8:00. (Or bring a gang and enjoy your dinner right here. WE DO have beer and wine by the glass, you know.)

 

 

This week's special casserole is for Wednesday, November 4

Chicken and Shrimp Curry with Saffron Rice and Toasted, Slivered Almonds

 

Full: 55

We were a part of the worldwide event last weekend.  People gathered in thousands of places to point out the importance of reducing our carbon emissions and reducing greenhouse gasses and making sure we do what we can to keep our world, and the species in it, healthy.

 

Here is the "official" November note from Laurey.  I'm on my way to Washington, DC for a conference.  I'll tell you all about it when I get back next week.

 

"I’m in my office right now, crafting this newsletter. Out on the other side of the door there is a Garden Room full of Ukulele players, strumming away. “Don’t Fence Me In.” “Blowing in the Wind.” Sweet! We’ve started music jams on Tuesday nights. I like it very much. Tonight is uke night. I’m usually out there playing but it is my girlfriend’s uke and she is out there playing. I’m in here listening. It’s fine. Listening is good.

 

As the light leaves earlier and earlier these days, I’m happy to be hunkered down. Today I had the extreme pleasure of a steaming bowl of lentil soup, courtesy of Brendan, our chef. My he’s good! And my I feel lucky to be the recipient of his skilled palate. He’s been curing corned beef these days and I had my first taste of his experiment today too. He’s made sauerkraut, bacon, lots of wonderful things. Lucky me, lucky you, lucky us!

 

I’ve lit my woodstove once so far this year. I had a couple of trees at my home cut and the tree cutters sliced up the fallen trunks into manageable lengths for me. And then they split them up! I insisted that I stack the wood, and even got compliments for my tidy arrangement. A few days later it was cold enough to light it up. I live in a little log cabin and there is nothing cozier than a fire crackling away in my little blue stove, my cat and dog curled up next to (or on) me. I love the fall. Love this time of year.

 

I’ve finally found a spot to blow glass again. The local studios I was renting all shut down or moved. I’ve really missed this escape, this relaxation. In November I’m going to get back into it. There’s a new studio built on an old landfill near here, which means that the fuel is free (trapped methane). I walk up and down in front of the windows in my café, looking at the blown glass in my windows. I made all the glass on display, but it seems like years ago, so I’m excited to get back to it. Soon! Keep watch. I’ll be making Christmas ornaments and, perhaps, pumpkins (even though it’ll be a bit late in the season for them.)

 

We’ve got a lot on our calendar around here for November. Cooking classes. Special dinners. Music jams. Whee! It’s such a nice place. It feels really good to share it with friends, old and new. In a way, it’s what I’ve always wanted. How lovely it is to see it all taking place. I hope you’ll find a way to join us in one way or another before too long.

 

Henry's cells have started to grow.  Tiny progress for our favorite little boy.  He's still in the midst of scary procedures and so holding him and his family in your thoughts is still important. 

 

Join us on November 8th for Pancakes.  Right here.  9 - 1.  10.00 (kids are free).  and additional donations will be accepted and will go right to the Thomes.  Checks should be made payable to "Asheville Loves Henry."