Creeping Up Upon Us - Thanksgiving

[twintubdexter]

please, no hissing at the table

<span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #008000;">I decided to invite a couple of friends over. I haven't had guests for a very long time. Standing is very difficult and they've promised to help me. I ordered a feast for 8 from Whole Foods so I assume it will be good but not the same as cooking yourself. I'm looking forward to the leftovers. It's the best I can do. My dishwasher has new stuff in it that's been there for over a year. I'll have to run it and we can eat off the new boa snake-skin pattern dishes...so appropriate for Thanksgiving. There's no room is the cupboards for them. At least we can look at the china and crystal in the cabinet while we're eating. It's just a hassle anyway. Another treat will be our dining companion, a vintage Haunted House pinball machine that was delivered from Dallas and never made it past the dining room. My eclectic home, once a showplace now suitable for that "Hoarders" TV show.</span>

 

[lordkenmore]

I've never shopped at Whole Paycheck, er, Whole Foods so I can't comment about their dinners. But I'd have to assume, based on reputation, that the dinner will be more than fine.

 

I've had at least two Thanksgiving dinners featuring a grocery store Thanksgiving dinner in a box. I can't really remember much about either, and if either had been horrible, I'd probably remember that.

 

Then, I've honestly never really noticed much variation between Thanksgiving dinners. Once a basic level of competence is achieved, it seems to be pretty much the same. But perhaps I'm cynical.

 

 

 

[fan-of-fans]

Thanksgiving

I'm still fortunate to have both paternal grandparents still alive and living at their home. I understand that's a very fortunate thing, and I try to relish the times that we are together. I'm very busy working and don't get to see them as often as I'd like. So Christmas and Thanksgiving dinner are special to me.

My mother tends to be bitter, and doesn't like going all that well because family, but I try to do my best to enjoy the holidays.

We'll probably have the usual turkey at Thanksgiving and ham at Christmas hopefully. I love the stuffing and biscuits that my grandmother does.

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

And this will be AMKrayo’s BAH-HUMBUG!!!! (Look, read

Thanksgiving-past: No big family reunion-type gatherings—the small feast was held at maternal grandparents, as was the equally-small sized Christmas visit...

So no huge Political rankings or religious ravings...

As for years passing, and people passing away, a passage to my wife’s parents in charge (very briefly) of the annual feast, saw a tofu turkey (one of my brother-in-laws, married into a family that only eats vegan, becom8ng suc( himself) that looked a lot like (& even better) than what I mistook for the real thing, served to the rest of us...

But, now, here’s Thanksgiving-present, and me, no-longer able to put away what I used to, even for past feasts, the wife never being a big eater, and the kid, always hungry, but equally fussy and appalled at everything we give her to eat will just make as what follows:

(To go into the slow cooker, and possibly, to be continued...)

— Dave

 

[soapgirl]

My parents are gone now, so no trips to my home for Thankgiving anymore. My in law are still with us. My dear mother in law gave up on Thanksgiving dinner years ago, it got to be too much. She still hosts a family Christmas gathering. We go out to eat with them on Thanksgiving. It used to be reservations at a nice white tablecloth restaurant. Now they do not want to travel any distance from their home so it's off to Bob Evans. And I enjoy it! Not so much the food, but being in their company for the holiday gives me joy.

 

[lordkenmore]

And I enjoy it! Not so much the food, but being in their company for the holiday gives me joy.

 

And that is what really matters--or should matter: the people...


 

As I mentioned earlier in this thread, short of a miracle, I'll be alone, which is typical. (Over the last 10 years, I've been alone 7 years.) It's interesting that I get "suggestions" of what I should do from people who know me and my situation. The two I've heard repeatedly (from different people) over the years is either find some community dinner (apparently churches or civic organizations do such things), or go out to dinner. The people making these suggestions mean well. But I really don't care about having a traditional dinner (which I find mostly boring). I have no budget for a restaurant. I have no interest in a community dinner. Most important factor: no matter what, I'll be alone--either totally alone where I live, or else eating by myself in that hypothetical restaurant or community dinner. So why even bother? I might as well stay in, and have a regular weeknight dinner.

[this post was last edited: 11/18/2018-04:23]

 

[appnut]

Well, things changed for me. All the usual people I spend Thanksgiving with decided to do other things with other people this year--well my partner isn't going to be able to be here year, but will be here for Christmas. My neighbors are going to distant relatives. The guy who usually hosts a big gathering, didn't return my text about the inquiry--he's lost a business this year. I was going to simply make my own at home--already had gotten a turkey breast and a few other things. A friend of mine called me on Thursday who lives in Abilene. He and his new husband are traveling to his sister's house just outside of Austin--I've been there several times before. She's having a potluck and I'm going to me several loaves of bread. The items I've already gotten will now be used for Christmas dinner when my partner is here.

 

[tomturbomatic]

Our high temperature on Thursday is predicted to be in the low to mid 30s followed by an overnight low of 21 so Friday morning will get off to a cold start. This type of weather makes it a good day to stay in or close to the bed. Like last year, the weather people are talking about a weak polar vortex that will be allowing cold arctic air to leak from the polar regions and invade the eastern US. They are hinting that it will be a seasonal pattern--how lovely.

 

[norgeway]

I cant do the heavy lifting and

All the work this year with my eye surgery, But I am making dressing, a pumpkin pie and a pineapple casserole.

 

[appnut]

Hans, I know you're mindful of the situation, but please don't try to be heroic in any way. Have Donald or someone else help you move things around in the kitchen. You'd be surprised how quickly combined ingredients can increase in weight.