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Post by elaine on Dec 24, 2019 5:07:16 GMT
I’m sitting down after 4 hours on my feet cooking tonight. 2 pies, cranberry salad, and a cheese ball. Onions and celery diced for stuffing/dressing tomorrow.
I made the sweet potato soufflé, corn casserole, cranberry sauce from fresh and green bean casserole 2 days ago and put in the freezer for tomorrow.
Tomorrow I’ll be cooking all the already assembled casseroles, roasting a turkey, making fresh rolls and baking the dressing/stuffing. Not to mention sausage balls, bacon wrapped scallops and prepping the breakfast casserole for Christmas morning.
Because we are the family that everyone here would complain about because of our special needs kids, we spend the holidays alone by ourselves and don’t inconvenience anyone else, but it is a f$ckload of cooking and prepping and staging for me.
It is freaking exhausting. And we get lonely at the holidays. But we don’t inconvenience anyone.
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Post by Eddie-n-Harley on Dec 24, 2019 5:16:46 GMT
I’m sitting down after 4 hours on my feet cooking tonight. 2 pies, cranberry salad, and a cheese ball. Onions and celery diced for stuffing/dressing tomorrow. I made the sweet potato soufflé, corn casserole, cranberry sauce from fresh and green bean casserole 2 days ago and put in the freezer for tomorrow. Tomorrow I’ll be cooking all the already assembled casseroles, roasting a turkey, making fresh rolls and baking the dressing/stuffing. Not to mention sausage balls, bacon wrapped scallops and prepping the breakfast casserole for Christmas morning. Because we are the family that everyone here would complain about because of our special needs kids, we spend the holidays alone by ourselves and don’t inconvenience anyone else, but it is a f$ckload of cooking and prepping and staging for me. It is freaking exhausting. And we get lonely at the holidays. But we don’t inconvenience anyone. You are a superwoman and if we lived closer, I would be happy to be inconvenienced by your family for the holidays. |
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Post by malibou on Dec 24, 2019 7:13:02 GMT
Holy crapoly, who think special needs kids are an inconvenience? That thought horrifies me. I am so sorry that anyone would make you feel like that.
Wow, that is a lot of cooking. I always love hearing about the yummy things you make.
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Post by lucyg on Dec 24, 2019 7:24:22 GMT
You’re doing too much! Holy crap. That much cooking should only be done by someone whose soul is warmed by doing that much cooking.  I’m sorry it’s a lonely holiday for you. Wish you had people nearby who would love to spend the holidays together. Like the peas! |
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Post by ~summer~ on Dec 24, 2019 7:25:27 GMT
I'm sorry you feel your special needs kids inconveniences people. I would love to have you all over for the holiday. I agree it is a lot of work!
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Post by leslie132 on Dec 24, 2019 7:25:34 GMT
I started mine today as well. Stuffed Cabbage (way to many) and cauliflower casserole. Along with baking cookies.
It’s a crazy household, but when we think back in the holiday I hope my kids have fond memories!!
I’m so sorry you feel like your children are looked upon as an inconvenience. Im sure that hurts.....I can’t even imagine. Im going to say an extra prayer this holiday. Even though we aren’t together just know someone is thinking of you and your family!!
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Post by ~summer~ on Dec 24, 2019 7:29:13 GMT
I also want to tell you it sounds delicious!! nothing really compares to home cooked Christmas dinners - even if they aren't "perfect" they are so good!!
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Post by ~summer~ on Dec 24, 2019 7:30:03 GMT
I started mine today as well. Stuffed Cabbage (way to many) and cauliflower casserole. Along with baking cookies. It’s a crazy household, but when we think back in the holiday I hope my kids have fond memories!! I’m so sorry you feel like your children are looked upon as an inconvenience. Im sure that hurts.....I can’t even imagine. Im going to say an extra prayer this holiday. Even though we aren’t together just know someone is thinking of you and your family!! Stuffed cabbage sounds so good, I love all things stuffed. Would love to know your recipe. |
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Post by bc2ca on Dec 24, 2019 7:30:58 GMT
I’m sitting down after 4 hours on my feet cooking tonight. 2 pies, cranberry salad, and a cheese ball. Onions and celery diced for stuffing/dressing tomorrow. I made the sweet potato soufflé, corn casserole, cranberry sauce from fresh and green bean casserole 2 days ago and put in the freezer for tomorrow. Tomorrow I’ll be cooking all the already assembled casseroles, roasting a turkey, making fresh rolls and baking the dressing/stuffing. Not to mention sausage balls, bacon wrapped scallops and prepping the breakfast casserole for Christmas morning. Because we are the family that everyone here would complain about because of our special needs kids, we spend the holidays alone by ourselves and don’t inconvenience anyone else, but it is a f$ckload of cooking and prepping and staging for me. It is freaking exhausting. And we get lonely at the holidays. But we don’t inconvenience anyone. I am asking as gently as possible, but why are you doing all this for just the four of you? My favorite Christmas is when it is just the four of us and we grill filet mignon Oscar style with Alaska King crab legs, asparagus and Bearnaise sauce. Nothing like the traditional turkey meal when we are hosting a crowd, but our favorite dinner ever. |
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Post by ntsf on Dec 24, 2019 7:36:51 GMT
I would host you in a minute.. I never forget going to dh's aunts house for the family holiday.. my kids are the only kids.. and there wasn't anything they would eat other than rolls.. even the ice cream was a strange flavor (coffee).. and I had to run out to the car for an apple so the kids would eat (I have a child with autism..picky eating)....I felt rejected and why didn't they ask before they served salmon? (we didn't eat that in those days.)
I have a causal house and welcome everyone!!!! and I do plain food!! sorry for your pain and have the best holiday you can!!
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Post by leslie132 on Dec 24, 2019 7:45:31 GMT
I started mine today as well. Stuffed Cabbage (way to many) and cauliflower casserole. Along with baking cookies. It’s a crazy household, but when we think back in the holiday I hope my kids have fond memories!! I’m so sorry you feel like your children are looked upon as an inconvenience. Im sure that hurts.....I can’t even imagine. Im going to say an extra prayer this holiday. Even though we aren’t together just know someone is thinking of you and your family!! Stuffed cabbage sounds so good, I love all things stuffed. Would love to know your recipe. Today’s was a huge prep as I’m serving 16-20 on Christmas. Meat: 6 slices of bacon. Cook and set aside. Sauté onions and garlic in the grease Make a small pot of white rice. Crumble bacon and combine all of these items. Salt and pepper. Cabbage Cut slits along all 4 sides of the cabbage stem. Splash some water on the cabbage Cover with a wet paper towel Microwave for 8 minutes Pull leaves off the cabbage that are “limp” Cut the stem out of each leaf, take a “meatball” and roll the cabbage Pan: Have the roaster lined with tomato sauce. Layer in each cabbage roll. Over the top of the layer I take kielbasa and cut it into 2 inch pieces. I also open a small jar of sauerkraut. Do a layer of cabbage rolls, add the kielbasa, sauerkraut and a layer of tomato sauce. Repeat until your done. Cover with foil and bake. 325 for about 2-2.5 hours. Serving with Mashed Potatoes. |
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Post by malibou on Dec 24, 2019 7:59:51 GMT
leslie132, that stuffed cabbage sounds Devine. I am for sure trying this after ds goes back to college - stuffed cabbage would probably make him whine. 
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Post by Merge on Dec 24, 2019 12:25:44 GMT
I’m heartbroken for you that your extended family doesn’t accept your family at the holidays. Lots of people are inconveniences for lots of reasons, but special needs sons are not a reason to exclude someone.
We also spend the holiday on our own for a variety of reasons, but I’ve stopped doing all the cooking. I can totally understand if it makes the holiday more special for your family, but if it really doesn’t, I hope you’ll consider giving yourself a break next year.
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Post by yodutchess on Dec 24, 2019 12:27:02 GMT
I am going to start soon. I would host your family. Did anyone food shop Tuesday? It was as if three feet of snow was forecast. The shelves were bare.
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Post by mikklynn on Dec 24, 2019 12:37:34 GMT
I feel you regarding the cooking! We are hosting DH's family tonight. I told my MIL to bring potatoes and SIL to bring a side. DS and his family fly in tomorrow, so I'll be cooking like crazy until the 30th. elaine, I am so sorry your families aren't willing to accommodate your family. That is awful. I can't imagine behaving that way. |
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Dec 24, 2019 12:40:34 GMT
Lots of people are inconveniences for lots of reasons, but special needs sons are not a reason to exclude someone. I'll trade you one chain-smoking crabby aunt for a special needs son. I actually quite admire that you 'do it all' for your family. The meal sounds delicious. And hopefully, all that cooking now will yield days of leftovers that mean no extra cooking for several days. Happy holidays to you and your family. |
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J u l e e
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,531
Location: Cincinnati
Jun 28, 2014 2:50:47 GMT
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Post by J u l e e on Dec 24, 2019 12:47:01 GMT
I would come over for the homemade rolls alone! And also just to give you a big hug and hang out with your family! Specials needs people are some of my favorite people!
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Post by mollycoddle on Dec 24, 2019 12:49:12 GMT
I am sorry that you are on your own. 🙁 I am tired just reading the list of what you’ve cooked! No wonder you’re tired.
Hang in there, Elaine.
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Post by MZF on Dec 24, 2019 12:55:38 GMT
I’m sitting down after 4 hours on my feet cooking tonight. 2 pies, cranberry salad, and a cheese ball. Onions and celery diced for stuffing/dressing tomorrow. I made the sweet potato soufflé, corn casserole, cranberry sauce from fresh and green bean casserole 2 days ago and put in the freezer for tomorrow. Tomorrow I’ll be cooking all the already assembled casseroles, roasting a turkey, making fresh rolls and baking the dressing/stuffing. Not to mention sausage balls, bacon wrapped scallops and prepping the breakfast casserole for Christmas morning. Because we are the family that everyone here would complain about because of our special needs kids, we spend the holidays alone by ourselves and don’t inconvenience anyone else, but it is a f$ckload of cooking and prepping and staging for me. It is freaking exhausting. And we get lonely at the holidays. But we don’t inconvenience anyone. You are a superwoman and if we lived closer, I would be happy to be inconvenienced by your family for the holidays. I, too, would be happy to invite your family for the holidays. Come on over!! |
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Post by mollycoddle on Dec 24, 2019 12:57:35 GMT
Stuffed cabbage sounds so good, I love all things stuffed. Would love to know your recipe. Today’s was a huge prep as I’m serving 16-20 on Christmas. Meat: 6 slices of bacon. Cook and set aside. Sauté onions and garlic in the grease Make a small pot of white rice. Crumble bacon and combine all of these items. Salt and pepper. Cabbage Cut slits along all 4 sides of the cabbage stem. Splash some water on the cabbage Cover with a wet paper towel Microwave for 8 minutes Pull leaves off the cabbage that are “limp” Cut the stem out of each leaf, take a “meatball” and roll the cabbage Pan: Have the roaster lined with tomato sauce. Layer in each cabbage roll. Over the top of the layer I take kielbasa and cut it into 2 inch pieces. I also open a small jar of sauerkraut. Do a layer of cabbage rolls, add the kielbasa, sauerkraut and a layer of tomato sauce. Repeat until your done. Cover with foil and bake. 325 for about 2-2.5 hours. Serving with Mashed Potatoes. Oh, yum! I am going to try a (smaller) version of this. |
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Post by rainangel on Dec 24, 2019 13:00:53 GMT
I really can't understand people who would see a child as an inconvenience. How cruel!
Then again, my brother is bringing his new girlfriend for christmas this year and she has several food allergies. Guess how many times my parents have complained about 'her special food' that they have to provide....? It boggles my mind how little it takes for someone to feel inconvenienced.
Have a wonderful christmas, your meal sound incredible!
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pilcas
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by pilcas on Dec 24, 2019 13:31:49 GMT
Honestly, maybe I’m just lazy, but I avoid labor intensive dishes. Perhaps it depends where you live but the bakeries in my area have amazing pies and Artisanal bread. We are six of us I made a lasagna yesterday, will put in oven today. A green salad, roasted potatoes with green beans. BakeryApple pie and bread for dessert and some cookies that were gifted to me.
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Post by candygurl on Dec 24, 2019 13:48:40 GMT
That’s why the last couple of years we do very simple meals, like tacos or pasta. We have decided if people want traditional meals they can make them at their house. It’s not fun to be cooking and cleaning all day and then even more after everyone leaves. We usually cook for 30 people so it’s a lot of work.
Sorry for the way your family has been treated. My family would gladly accept your family and invite you over. Hope you can relax a little bit today.
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Post by leslie132 on Dec 24, 2019 13:56:30 GMT
leslie132, that stuffed cabbage sounds Devine. I am for sure trying this after ds goes back to college - stuffed cabbage would probably make him whine. Growing up I wouldn’t eat the cabbage. Instead of kielbasa my mom always made meatballs out of the meat mix and planted them through out the casserole. She made sure I never had to ate the cabbage. Now that I’m married I eat way more foods than I ever did as a kid. Makes my mom shake her head |
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Post by tyra on Dec 24, 2019 14:04:43 GMT
I am so sorry that your family is on it's own sweet elaine. I so wish you were closer. I would have your family over in a heartbeat. We have special needs in our family as well, we all "handle" it wonderfully! Your family is blessed to have you, and the yummy meal you are making! Thankfully I didn't have to do any cooking this year, other than the meatballs I will throw in the crockpot in the morning. We trade off hosting duties, this year we are totally off. Next year we will host Christmas eve and Christmas day. But both are easy. Christmas eve is a ham and sides, Christmas day is just appetizers. We started that 10 years or so ago and it is amazing. Everyone just makes munchies, we snack all day, no last minute rushing, don't have a huge meal, easy! My favorite is when I do Christmas day brunch. Leftover ham from the night before, some sort of breakfast casserole, bagels/cream cheese, mimosas, etc. Merry Christmas Elaine!  |
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luckyexwife
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by luckyexwife on Dec 24, 2019 14:15:31 GMT
I'm so sorry there are people in your life that treat you that way. I wish we were closer, you could come here, or I'd love your menu, then playing games after the meal. Seasons Greetings to you and your family.
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purplebee
Drama Llama
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Post by purplebee on Dec 24, 2019 14:18:51 GMT
Merry Christmas, Elaine. I know your cooking is a labor of love, but I hope you can find some downtime for yourself this holiday. Sorry your family is mean about your sons, that sounds awful. Hugs and wishes for a better 2020.
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Dec 24, 2019 14:43:38 GMT
It is freaking exhausting. And we get lonely at the holidays. But we don’t inconvenience anyone. This makes me so very sad, that people who are supposed to love and care for you and your family don't. You would be very welcomed here, although I don't cook too much! Short on seating here, but lots of clean floor! We, my grandparents, mother and me, always stayed home on Christmas Day. There was cooking on the Eve, but the Day was relaxed, everyone welcome. Lite food, which transitioned into make your own sub, everything provided with some exotic included. Pleas consider lightning you load in the kitchen so you can enjoy your immediate family! Wish I could hug you up close and personal! ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) |
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Post by cmpeter on Dec 24, 2019 14:57:21 GMT
That’s a very impressive menu, it’s going to taste amazing. I pared way back this year. It’s just 5 of us. We are doing surf and turf, asparagus, baked potatoes and salad. Dd is making a gingerbread cake. It’s different enough from our regular meals to be special, but not as complicated as Thanksgiving. :-)
You and your family would be welcome here anytime. I have a special needs nephew and can’t imagine making his family feel unwelcome. He’s an amazing kid.
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Post by elaine on Dec 24, 2019 15:40:25 GMT
Holy crapoly, who think special needs kids are an inconvenience? That thought horrifies me. I am so sorry that anyone would make you feel like that. Wow, that is a lot of cooking. I always love hearing about the yummy things you make. My younger son, as some know, can be challenging and has meltdowns. My mom lived in California until August of this year (and now at 85, doesn’t cook - we had her here for Chanukah over the weekend), and my sister lives in Israel - so none of my family close enough to spend the holidays with. My husband’s parents in WV would have us over, until my FIL passed 10 years ago. My MIL is in a nursing home with Alzheimer’s - she had to move out 3 years after my FIL passed - we hadn’t realized how much he compensated for her until he was gone. We now own the house. My sister-in-law, who was a special ed teacher, wants nothing to do with us - they live 2 blocks from our house. My adult nephew (33) - her son - has a house 1 mile away. He is married and has two toddlers. I haven’t met either toddler yet, even though we go to WV regularly - he is always too busy to see our kids, even though they idolize “Cousin B” and ask about him all the time. Anyhow, we are the ones who asked to stick as close to planned mealtimes as possible, because my kids are/were the ones who didn’t do well when dinner wasn’t on the table at 7 pm, even though we were told 5 pm. And younger ds sometimes obsesses, especially about his presents, and dominates the conversation. We aren’t a lot of fun sometimes, but family should be somewhat forgiving; ours aren’t. So, we do holidays alone - although now that my mom is up in Rockville, we will host her for the Jewish holidays. Anyhow, last December I had a major reconstruction surgery on 12/14, and had a bad reaction to the anesthesia and was so sick at Christmas that I didn’t make much - just the turkey and dressing - we had the sides and desserts catered. And this year we did Thanksgiving at the Grand Floridian. So, the boys and Dh have all been missing our traditional foods - Christmas Eve dinner is a repeat of Thanksgiving just with different pies - and I want to give them the gift of homemade Christmas dinner. The plus is that we will have leftovers for a few days! So, the pan of rolls is rising in the kitchen, Christmas Story is on the t.v., and I’m about to go make sausage balls. I’m trying it with Red Lobster biscuit mix - as mentioned on the sausage ball thread - this year. You all are my family too - and it is wonderful to have you all here with me today. Merry Christmas and Happy Chanukah! |
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