This Monday is Thanksgiving, here in Canada. I cannot wrap my mind around that.

First of all, it’s October. We have not even celebrated my birthday yet, although you are welcome to start doing that at any time. Let alone Halloween.

Second, it’s on a Monday. Weird.

However, that is not going to stop me from making a Thanksgiving dinner. Shocked? Amazed? Scared? It’s ok, I understand. I haven’t been completely forthcoming with you. I’ve been cooking all sorts of things. I’ve made Beef Stroganoff. Twice! I can make the homemade Mac and Cheese that Arifa makes for me when we get together. Myself! I have several chicken recipes I make regularly. And I’m on my way to recreating Buca di Beoppo’s excellent Lemon Chicken. Last night was Too Lemony, but I’m getting closer. I look forward to getting my Alton Brown cookbooks out of storage someday. Along with my beautiful red Kitchen Aid mixer.

Oh sure, every once in a while I manage to ruin every single dish in a meal, and we have to have sammiches. But I would say that I’m successful about 8 out of 10 times. And while Thanksgiving is ambitious, I’m going to give it a whirl anyway. If it works out, I fully intend to make another one in November. Otherwise, I won’t know when it’s time to start Christmas Shopping.

However, we are not having turkey. There is not a turkey small enough for only two people. We have a tiny kitchen, a tiny refrigerator that features a tiny freezer. I don’t think we even have room for a turkey in this place. I was going to just get one of those turkey breasts instead, but the truth is, I like dark meat. I think it will still be thanksgiviny as long as I have pumpkin pie. And stuffing. These are the dishes that MAKE THANKSGIVING for me. There will be smashed potatoes. And I’m making my mom’s bean dish for Wil. It has all the good things in life in it, butter, sour cream, cheese, almond slivers. But it also has green stuff. And I am deadly allergic to cooked green stuff. Truly.

So, instead of turkey, I am going to roast a chicken. I’ve decided to make Beer Can Up The Butt Chicken. My friend Marie did it once, and not only did she say it was delicious, she provided me with step by step instructions. With pictures! So I’m going to give it a try. Tomorrow, I’ll ask Wil to pick up a six pack on the way home from work, and let him keep five. That should make him pretty thankful. And isn’t that what Thanksgiving is all about?