It’s that time of year again…time to get ready for the holidays, Thanksgiving dinner, food and merriment! Do you know what you are cooking this year? Perhaps you’d like to do something different. The library has a cornucopia of cooking books dedicated to holiday meals, baking, hosting, and so much more. Sara has just a small sample of what we have in our collection. Nicole chats about our fabulous Innovation Space where patrons can make personalized items for a potential gift for someone special…you’ll need to make an appointment and it’s busy this time of year, so check out the details at http://www.mcplibrary.org/innovation-space.
🎧 Upcoming on the Pod:
Before we dive into stuffing and sausage talk, Sal has a PSA: Subscribe! Trust us, you don’t want to miss what’s coming. Next week brings the annual Thanksgiving episode, complete with trivia and seasonal shenanigans. And to close out the year: their Favorite Things of 2024 followed by What They’re Looking Forward to in 2025. Yes, please.
Also? Sal may or may not have a 20-year high school reunion coming up. Will he go? Will it even happen? Who knows. Let’s get into the good stuff.
📚 Sara’s Thanksgiving Reading List: Feast Mode Activated
As tradition dictates, Sara has rolled up with a mountain of books—and we love her for it. From fancy wine pairings to plant-based mains, she’s got everyone covered for Thanksgiving (and Friendsgiving) prep.
Here are some of her delicious picks:
- 🍷 Wine Folly: The Essential Guide to Wine
Learn what to pair with what, or, as Sal puts it, embrace the folly. Red, white, rosé… and maybe a little chaos. - 🍰 Baking for the Holidays
50+ festive treats. Standout recipe: Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake. Yes. Please. - 🍝 Italian Holiday Cooking
150 classic recipes, including a ricotta layer cake and drool-worthy stuffed artichokes that sparked a very Sopranos-adjacent dinner invite from Sara. - 🦐 The Friendsgiving Cookbook
Marketing genius wrapped in mashed potatoes and witty titles like Hot Girl Shrimp. (Sorry, Sal, that one’s not for you.) - 📜 Giving Thanks: Thanksgiving Recipes and History
From Pilgrims to pumpkin pie—with a solid green bean casserole and a tempting cranberry pecan brie appetizer. - 🥦 Healthy Holidays with Mary Lou Henner
Recipes, playlists, party tips. Highlights: Brussels sprouts with marjoram and pine nuts—TikTok approved! - 🥕 The Vegan Holiday
For our plant-based pals. Think snow white layer cake, shiitake mushroom soup, and yes, a whole lotta seitan (pronounced say-tan, not… the other guy). - 🍽️ Williams Sonoma Thanksgiving
For the culinary pros: gorgeous rolls, elegant mains, and classic sides. - 🦃 The Thanksgiving Table
Skip the sad turkey on the cover and go straight for the Italian sausage, mushroom & sage stuffing. Sal’s go-to includes apples, cranberries, and a solid stick of butter. Sara’s Fennel-free sausage (shout out to Premio).
Basically, the MCPL squad could and should write their own cookbook. We’d buy it.
🛠️ Nicole’s Makerspace Moment
While Sara’s feeding your stomach, Nicole’s got your gift-giving game covered.
Reminder: the Innovation Space at the library is perfect for making personalized holiday gifts. Sublimated mugs, laser-engraved goodies—you name it. If you’re 14 and up, you can use the space solo (just behave!). Under 14? Bring a parent along.
She even suggests scrolling through Etsy for ideas you can replicate. Will it be Etsy-level perfect? Maybe not. But that handmade touch? Chef’s kiss.
According to the National Inventors Hall of Fame, makerspaces help kids and teens:
- Get hands-on with real-world projects
- Innovate and experiment
- Think creatively
- Apply what they’re learning in meaningful ways
So yeah, it’s kind of a big deal.
Whether you’re whipping up hot girl shrimp, laser-engraving a tumbler, or just stuffing your face with sausage stuffing (no fennel, please), the MCPL podcast crew has you covered this season.
Next stop: Thanksgiving trivia madness. Hit that subscribe button, and let the festivities begin.
