Well, the graduation was a big success and, except for a couple of me, I can't share any of the pics, I apologize, hospital rules and HIPAA laws and regulations prohibit it, which I did not know until yesterday.
But, I carved the turkey, first removing and throwing out all the skin which was a beautiful deep smoke amber, a little darker than the one above in the smokehouse; (it finished reaching temp at about 5 pm at165°) by removing the leg an thighs first, popping them out of their hip sockets from the back bone. Then, removed the wings at their shoulder sockets. Then, flipping the bird over, broke off the hip section of the backbone and then cut the backbone from the breast. Normally I would then break the keel (breast) bone, loosening from the sides and pulling it out, but being such a big turkey the cartilage was hardened so much, I just placed my 12" cimeter in the center of the keel bone and took a hammer and hit it several times into the keel bone, cleanly parting it in half (I used to be able to do that just by burying my cimeter into it like a hatchet and then pushing down with it, but have less than 25% strength in my good hand from the strokes, so... use tools, lol!). Then, just pull the half keel bones out and remove the half breast cages; voila, boneless and skinless half turkey breasts that I could place on my slicer (took it with me) and slice the breasts for sandwiches. Cut the drums from the thighs and took the thigh bones out to serve the dark meat in chunks or hand sliced for sandwiches. Of course, the two drums got snatched up immediately! Broke the tips off the wings and cut the wingettes from the drumettes and they got snatched up quick too! Whole turkey done in about 30 minutes.
Also served all the cold smoked vegetables with dips; they were a hit, and the portabella mushrooms was the big winner of all of them! The head therapists took home the smoked corn and fingerling potatoes to steam and enjoy for their dinners later, and took all the carcass remains and misc. pieces to make smoky turkey soup with. Waste not, want not! Others also brought vegetables and snack trays and everyone have a great lunch! There was about 30 or more.
Shortly after I left with my wife (who came to it!) and we went to Thumbtechs Corp. to have me sign up as a volunteer and get started there; I'll be there about 8 hours a week doing miscellaneous things for them to help out as I can tolerate, no demands, just help where I can.
Just before the carving began..
Me Ringing The Bell for Graduation - a tradition there when someone is going home or being released from care, in my case graduating from the ABI class! (..got turkey juices on my shirt from carving, didn't think to bring a meat apron, sorry!)
And, a picture of my gorgeous wife at her desk at Thumbtechs Corp!
Thank you all for looking on with me!
