Well, it’s that time of year.  I can’t resist showing you some of what my little girl’s classmates in Kindergarten wrote for a project on “How To Cook A Turkey”.  I hope this isn’t plagiarizing as I’m listing the work of little 4, 5 and even 6 year olds (there’s a mixture of ages in this Kindergarten class)  – but when I first read this, I couldn’t help but laugh.  I don’t want to give you their names or even the name of the school, but how about their initials?   By the way, one of the set of instructions is also from my little cutie!  So here are the kindergartners’ instructions on how to make a turkey:

“First, you get a turkey from a store. Then you use a wipe to make sure it is all clean.  Then you put some strawberries on it.  You put it in the oven for minutes.  Then you eat it!”   (T.L.)

“First, you get a turkey from in the wild.  Then you use water from the lake to clean it.  Then you put some sauce on it.  You cook it in a pan in the kitchen on the cooker for 1 minute.  Then you eat  it!” (B.C.)

“First, you get a turkey from the supermarket.  You use water from the sink to wash it and use a towel to dry it.  Put spices on top of it.  Go to the woods to find a turkey when you see one you catch it and then ou take it home with you.  Turn the pan on and put the turkey in it.  Flip it over when it’s white.  First blue fire temperature About 10 min. Take the turkey out and let it cool down.  Serve it.” (C.B.)

“Go to the Thanksgiving, look all around, and get a turkey.  Wash the turkey with water in the bathroom.  Put an eye on it.  Next, put in the pan and put it on the warm fire for 4 hours.  Finally, you just eat it!” (C.L.)

“First, you get a turkey from the Thanksgiving store.  Next, you wash it in your sink with your hands.  Then you put toppings on it, such as frosting and sprinkles.  Cook it in the oven on 4 degrees for 5 seconds.  Finally, eat it with a fork.” (A.E.)

“First, you get a turkey from the farm.  You need to wash it with a towel in the bathroom.  Next, chop the turkey.  Then you put it in a pot on the warm fire for 5 minutes.  You then chop it again and eat it!” (L.K.)

“First, you get a turkey from a special store.  Use water and a rag in a big pan in the sink to clean it.  Next you put oil on it.  Cook the turkey on the stove in a pan on 50 degrees.  Cook the turkey for 1 hour.  Finally, let it cool down and then eat it!” (B.K.)

Okay, now I will give you a break and present you with two pictures:

First, a picture of a turkey that I made:

Then this is a picture taken of a scrumptious Thanksgiving Day dinner

Now let’s continue with more instructions:

“First, you need to get a turkey from outside.  Wash the turkey with your hands in the sink.  You cook the turkey in the toaster on 10 degrees for 1 hour.  Finally, you eat it!”  (R.A.)

“First, you go to Trader Joes to buy a turkey.  Next you rip the skin off and put oil on it.  Then you put it on the oven on 50 degrees for 60 minutes.  Finally, you put good stuff on it like salad dressing and then you eat it.” (C.B.)

“First, you go to Jimbos to get a turkey.  Then you sanitize it with a special spray.  You put cheese, and a little lettuce on the turkey.  Cut the turkey in small pieces.  Before you cook it take out the bones.  Cook the turkey in the oven on 60 degrees for 40 hours.  You can play with toys while you are waiting.  Put a warm towel over it when it comes out of the oven.  Make rice and dumplings and brocolli and cheeseburger.  Enjoy!”  (I. S.)

“First, buy a turkey at the store – Sprouts.  Use a knife, and you scrape the stuff off.  Next, put soy on it.  Put the turkey on the pan in the kitchen.  Make sure it is really hot – 58 degrees for 1 minute.  Eat it!”  (L. C.)

“First, you go to the store (supermarket).  Next, wash the turkey in the sink with a washcloth and soap.  You need to put some spices like salt on the turkey.  Cook it on the stove for 2 hours and 15 minutes.  Finally, let it cool then you put it on a plate and eat it!”  (A. G.)

“First, you get a turkey from the farm.  Use water to clean the turkey.  Cook the turkey on the stove.  Eat it!”  (A. R.)

“First, you need to catch a turkey outside or buy one at the store.  Get a knife and scrape the dirt off.  Then put spice on the turkey.  Put the turkey in a pot and put it on the stove.  Cook the turkey for 15 minutes.  Then you eat it!”  (C.K.)

“First, you get a turkey from the store – Thanksgiving store.  Then you wash it with a sink and soap and water.  Next, you cook the turkey in the oven on 30 degrees for 40 hours.  Then you just eat it!”  (J. P.)

“First, you get a turkey at the turkey store.  Next, use a wipe to clean the turkey.  Then, put bread, potatoes, and salad on the turkey.  Cook the turkey in the oven – it should be way hot.  Keep it in the oven for about 20 minutes.  Finally, you eat it!”  (T. G.)

“First, you get a turkey from the store.  You need to clean the turkey with water.  Put the turkey in the oven.  Then you eat it!”  (W. H.)

“First, get a turkey at the store – Trader Joes.  Next, put it in the washing machine to clean it.  Cook the turkey in the oven on 25 degrees for 1 hour and 60 minutes.  Finally, take it out and eat it!”  (B. M.)

“First, you need to get a turkey at the store – Jimbos.  then you take the stuffing out and take the bones out.  Next, put oil on the turkey.  Cook it in the oven on 1 degree for 13 minutes.  Finally, put it on a tray, put it on a plate and then you eat it!”  (D. M.)

“First, you need to get a turkey at the store – Target.  Then you need to wash it in the dishwasher or the sink.  Cook the turkey in the oven on 40 degrees for 60 minutes.  Then you take it out and let it cool.  Finally, you put it on a plate, cut it and put it on the table.”  (E. M.)

“First, you need to get a turkey from the store – Vons.  Next you wash it in the sink with water.  Cook the turkey in the oven on 7 degrees for 4 minutes.  Finally, eat it!”  (E. F.)

Did you like the variety of instructions?  I think we can gather from what they wrote that these little people know the stores that their parents shop at, and obviously participate in some of the routines of their parents such as the shopping.  But where did they get the idea that turkeys are washed in the dishwasher or washing machine, or that you cook the turkey for 1 minute or on the other extreme 40 hours?    Also, please, please ……if you follow these instructions….don’t cook the turkey on just 4 degrees or 10 degrees!  You might be waiting until next Thanksgiving!  Whatever you do, and however you cook your turkey……cook it well, I like to cook it on 325 or 350 degrees for at least 8 hours.  I’ve even put a turkey in at night in the oven on a very low temperature such as 225 degrees, and cooked it overnight and there is no better smell to wake up to (other than coffee).

If you need a little bit of a Fall or Thanksgiving atmosphere other than turkey pictures, I think these two pictures taken a couple of years ago in Las Vegas should get you in the spirit!

Thanksgiving Time – Las Vegas

Thanksgiving Time – Las Vegas

Happy Thanksgiving!