AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
OK. I'm good now.
Don't get me wrong. It's has nothing to do with this particular holiday. I just can't believe that November is over halfway gone. I am sooooooo not ready for Christmas. Or Advent. Or even this weekend. But ready or not... here it comes.
We usually travel for Thanksgiving and our destination is always to my mom's house. She is a big Thanksgiving person and always has been. She has an iron grip firmly planted on that oven door. When I was a kid, there were never fewer than 10 people at our house usually consisting of relatives, neighbors and soldiers. Yes, you read that right. I said soldiers. The town I grew up in is a military town and they have a program that allows the trainees in boot camp the chance to get off base for one day and have a nice, home cooked meal. Most years there were only two soldiers, but some years we got four. As a teenage girl, Thanksgiving was my favorite holiday!
So what did we do on those years when we couldn't travel? I attempted my version of Mom's Thanksgiving Dinner. Or we picked up a pre-made dinner from the grocery store. Did I say that out loud? That was the year I was the one who was sick and I think I had also just given birth to my precious little one who just had a birthday. I have to admit, it wasn't terrible, but I wouldn't do it again unless I had to. The best part about it was a cranberry relish that came with the meal that I would love to find a recipe for (and might have...see below).
This year is a non traveling year due to Husband's job situation so we are inviting some friends over for dinner who are not "turkey people". To appease everybody's tastes and preferences, we have come up with a compromise. Our menu as planned:
Turkey Breast & Spiral Ham
Mom's Stuffing
Mashed Potatoes
Green Beans
Broccoli and Rice Casserole
Crescent Rolls (another family tradition)
Barb's Cranberry Relish
Pumpkin Pie
So, the point of this post was inspired by my favorite foodie, Barb. What are your plans for Thanksgiving? Do you travel or stay put? Do you have a menu set in stone or are you more flexible? Do you do all the cooking or do you share the kitchen? Inquiring minds want to know!Mom's Stuffing
Mashed Potatoes
Green Beans
Broccoli and Rice Casserole
Crescent Rolls (another family tradition)
Barb's Cranberry Relish
Pumpkin Pie
That's awesome that you used to host soldiers. Someone came and picked my brother at the base last year. It was his first day there and he was to spend it entirely alone. We were so grateful to wonderful people like you all!
ReplyDeleteWe alternate T-giving with each family. This year we will be spending the day with Husband's extended family in Arlington. I am never asked to cook or contribute. One time I brought fruit salad (okay, just diced fruit in a bowl) for my kids, and they ask me to bring that now. I just make whatever snacks and desserts I want to try and bring those.
ReplyDeleteIf we go to my family's, I might help a bit with the cooking, but my mom and sister seem to handle a lot of it. So, if I ever have to host T-giving, it could be a disaster. I enjoy my role as bearer of many children. :)
Love this picture! Your menu sounds perfect.
ReplyDeleteJust today, my neighbor invited my family to her house for turkey day, and I cleared it with hubby. If we weren't going there, the day would be extremely low key around here. I bought a very small frozen boneless turkey breast and a jar of gravy and a frozen pie. If I didn't have to please my husband, I would do chinese take-out. I am really at my limits right now!
ReplyDeleteWe will be hosting for the first time. Both our families will be visiting, as well as old friends and dh's college professor.
ReplyDeleteI'm doing a spiral ham and a dessert. Everyone is bringing a side dish and dessert. My father AND my mother in law are making turkeys.
I'm not picky about who brings what. I'm more concerned with making crafts with the kids and scrubbing the house until it shines. The food is secondary with me. LOL!
We do need enough left over food for the following day as we watch the A&M vs. t.u. football game. Guess who we're rooting for?! ;-)
Michelle,
ReplyDeleteIt was those years that I was at my limits that we took the easy way out. Thankfully in my husband's family, there were not specific traditions that I had to live up to. My family has more traditions surrounding the day (food, football, etc...) that he has been glad to give in to.
Lillian,
Well, I think I can guess who you are rooting for by your little capitalization faux pas. I have to be honest. I have never even tried to take sides in the UT/Aggie rivalry although my dad and my uncle loved giving each other a hard time about it. I went to a tiny private college in North Texas so I don't have a dog in that fight. Enjoy the game!
Thanks, friend. And I'm glad you liked the sweet potato pancakes!
ReplyDeleteI love that your family hosted soldiers for Thanksgiving. No wonder you're such a generous person!
ReplyDelete