TXMary
Pearl Clutcher
And so many nights I just dream of the ocean. God, I wish I was sailin' again.
Posts: 2,933
Member is Online
Jun 26, 2014 17:25:06 GMT
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Post by TXMary on Nov 13, 2017 4:40:15 GMT
Has anyone tried the indoor turkey fryer?? I have one. Pretty sure it’s a Masterbuilt. I don’t use it for Thanksgiving because we stuff the bird, but I have done some on other days and it worked out really well.
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Post by Eddie-n-Harley on Nov 13, 2017 4:59:12 GMT
Two years ago, a cousin who is local to me and his wife took over Thanksgiving hosting from our aunt and uncle. I gotta say, I like the holiday a lot more when the drive is 20 minutes instead of 80 (or 3 hours, which it was for several years). And actually, I like that I can volunteer to make a hot dish instead of olives and cranberries. LOL. So I will be making cheesy potatoes (aka funeral potatoes) which were a hit last year. And I will be bringing cranberries because I noted they were missing from the assignment list.
Some of us will also be getting together Wednesday night to go to a crafty place where we will stain/paint some wooden signs. My cousin's mother, wife, and sister went last year and enjoyed it and suggested then that we try it as a group this year. It was kind of pricey, and I don't know how many wooden decor signs a person needs, so I don't know if it's sustainable as an annual tradition, although maybe we'll substitute other activities in the future. I am looking forward to it.
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Post by ktdoesntscrap on Nov 13, 2017 11:33:26 GMT
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momto4kiddos
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,153
Jun 26, 2014 11:45:15 GMT
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Post by momto4kiddos on Nov 13, 2017 12:07:20 GMT
We're home and cooking for the first time in a few years. Decided to stay home and have a quiet day since my kiddos all seem to be burning the candle at both ends. Heavy school/work schedules for a couple, another logging 60 hour weeks at work plus a couple hours a day commuting!
Looking forward to a quiet day of doing our own thing with our family.
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Post by Fidget on Nov 13, 2017 12:31:25 GMT
I am hosting this year as I always do! I host DH's family and extended family. My head count for dinner is 27 right now. One of my kids is going to his in-laws to eat. There are others coming after dinner for dessert / drinks / coffee. I love Thanksgiving, and while it's a lot of work cooking for so many (others do help and bring sides), I wouldn't have it any other way!
My house is not very large, but I set up tables in my finished basement, my family room can seat around 10, and we can squeeze 8 around my kitchen table. It's cozy to say the least, but we all love it.
Now that there are grandkids and great nieces and nephews, I set up a craft table in the basement bedroom for the kids and this tends to keep them busy for hours.
We have 4 babies that will be in attendance, one is my 6 month old grandson, the others are my niece's 5 month old twins and my 1 year old granddaughter.
I enjoy Thanksgiving more than Christmas (I also host Christmas Eve with pretty much the same group). I feel like Thanksgiving is more relaxed and just a nice time, no hoopla over gift buying, just socializing and enjoying each others company.
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Post by tracyarts on Nov 13, 2017 13:42:09 GMT
It's just DH and I, he's working Fri-Sun, so we're taking it easy all day and going to a restaraunt to eat. Haven't decided where though. There are a few holiday buffet brunches happening nearby, but he wants to go out for supper. I don't care where we go, TBH.
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styxgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,923
Jun 27, 2014 4:51:44 GMT
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Post by styxgirl on Nov 13, 2017 14:04:52 GMT
Would love any great turkey recipes/methods. Even though I've hosted Thanksgiving for years, I only cook a turkey once a year and always seem to forget exactly what to do. LOL I guess I just haven't found that *one* favorite way of doing it. monicad Try this ... Best. Turkey. Evah! ALTON BROWN - Good Eats Roast Turkey
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styxgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,923
Jun 27, 2014 4:51:44 GMT
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Post by styxgirl on Nov 13, 2017 14:13:46 GMT
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, and I usually go all-out with a traditional turkey dinner. However, last year my sister couldn't make it, and my daughter couldn't make it, either, and none of our regular guests were around for it. I made the traditional feast and it was for just me, my husband, and my son, and it was kind of a downer. This year, my sister can't make it again. Daughter can't make it again. No guests. Just the three of us. My son reminded me how unhappy I was last year, and he suggested we do something different and save the traditional feast for Christmas when everyone will be here. He's going to bring a smoked turkey from work. I've asked my husband to make collard greens, and I'll make potato salad and banana pudding for dessert. It's a barbecue! So much more informal. I have my fingers crossed that it'll all work out! Totally understand that! For Christmas, we grill nice steaks instead of traditional turkey and ham. (Since we just had that at Thanksgiving. :-)
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Post by myboysnme on Nov 13, 2017 14:18:09 GMT
My mom and brother drive down from Pennsylvania. I cook - it is the one meal I cook all year with the exception of some easy stuff here and there.
My oldest son always has the parade on - not sure if he will be here this year since he just moved out. He usually invites 1-2 friends for dinner. He lives with his girlfriend so maybe he'll go to her house and hit ours later or earlier depending.
Younger son worked last year so we ate when he got home. I usually serve at like 4. I put out some snacks for eating until dinner.
No one is ever hungry for dessert so we usually have that in the evening.
--I bake a turkey - stuffed --out of the bird stuffing --green bean casserole with French cut green beans because I like it like that --apple-cranberry bake --mashed potatoes --gravy --I like to use Copes dried corn when I can get it, otherwise I serve white corn --Maybe I make some sweet potatoes for my mom but usually don't --rolls --pumpkin pie --mince pie - can't find them locally so my mom brings my Thanksgiving and Christmas mince pies.
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Post by lbp on Nov 13, 2017 14:23:31 GMT
I will be hosting again and I am fine with that! There will be 12 of us this year and we have the traditional sides and we always try something new too. My sister is going to do roasted parmesan cauliflower and loaded macaroni and cheese. We used to always have sweet potato casserole until I tried this Tyler Florence's mom's sweet potatoes. It is delicious! I will be making pumpkin and chocolate pie and a fresh apple cake.
Then we will sit around and groan about having eaten too much, look at old photos, the sale ads, and then go back for more dessert!
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styxgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,923
Jun 27, 2014 4:51:44 GMT
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Post by styxgirl on Nov 13, 2017 14:24:59 GMT
We're home and cooking for the first time in a few years. Decided to stay home and have a quiet day since my kiddos all seem to be burning the candle at both ends. Heavy school/work schedules for a couple, another logging 60 hour weeks at work plus a couple hours a day commuting! Looking forward to a quiet day of doing our own thing with our family. This is us this year too! Our girls don't work or drive yet so I am taxi-mom extraordinaire! LOL We all need a break!
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Post by Tammiem2pnc1 on Nov 13, 2017 14:28:14 GMT
It'll just be the 4 of us this year and we are so looking forward to it. We make it so informal and so fun. We do the traditional food, turkey, potatoes, mac and cheese, veggies and dessert. But we make it later in the day and enjoy fun finger foods while we cook and watch the parade on tv. Knowing DH he will start bringing the Christmas decorations down from the attic. He's like a little kid when it comes to decorating for the holidays. I am planning on doing a little black Friday shopping, but I think it will be all online this year.
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styxgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,923
Jun 27, 2014 4:51:44 GMT
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Post by styxgirl on Nov 13, 2017 14:31:51 GMT
This year we stay home after a couple years for traveling about 6 hours away. That was nice and I will really miss our extended family, but, I am looking forward to being home and cooking again this year. Our get-together will be pretty small. Me, DH, our 2 DDs, SIL, MIL, my sister and nephew. And maybe a couple of others.
I asked my girls what their favorite Thanksgiving food was and they both said "mashed potatoes" I was like, "Really?!" So, we'll make lots of those. LOL They added; corn, deviled eggs and mac-n-cheese corn casserole. We'll also have turkey, stuffing (not stuffed into the turkey), cranberry sauce and broccoli casserole. My SIL makes a mean pumpkin pie.
One thing I will drop from the menu, because I'm the only one that eats it .... Green Bean Casserole <gasp!> I know, I know, it's a tradition, but I'm the only one that eats the broccoli casserole too. I decided to keep that one because it's my Grandma's recipe <3
Then, we'll probably play some games, watch some football and look through the Black Friday Sales ads at the stuff we don't need nor have the money to buy. LOL
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iluvpink
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,362
Location: Michigan
Jul 13, 2014 12:40:31 GMT
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Post by iluvpink on Nov 13, 2017 14:45:54 GMT
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Yummy food, family without the stress of Christmas.
We spend the day with my parents at their house, along with my sister and nephew. Unfortunately for the most part, nobody is very adventurous or willing to try new things. Our menu is below.
Shrimp cocktail Cheese and Crackers Turkey Stuffing and Dressing Gravy Mashed Potatoes Green Bean Casserole Baked Butternut Squash Cranberry Sauce Biscuits Pumpkin Pie Apple Pie (or Blueberry, whatever my mom decides on that year, but usually apple)
Last year my sister decided to make macaroni and cheese, I hope she does again as it was really good. Everything's from scratch except the green bean casserole with it's condensed soup and the biscuits are Pillsbury. I'd like to try those from scratch but people are resistant. I have tried making the soup for the GBC from scratch and honestly it didn't IMO taste that much better to most,including myself. DD was the only one who found it an improvement. I don't much care for it either way and would prefer fresh green beans, but nobody else agrees and would revolte without their precious GBC.
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pudgygroundhog
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,648
Location: The Grand Canyon
Jun 25, 2014 20:18:39 GMT
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Post by pudgygroundhog on Nov 13, 2017 15:19:36 GMT
Non-traditional Thanksgiving for us - we'll be in the Grand Canyon. We're backpacking and will come out of the backcountry on Thanksgiving. We did this a few years ago and had possibly our worst meal ever at a restaurant at the Grand Canyon. Not sure what we will do for Thanksgiving this year (certainly no the same place, lol), but figure our Thanksgiving meal will actually be the next day when we are back in Vegas and can get something decent.
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Post by maryland on Nov 13, 2017 15:48:39 GMT
This is just our 3rd time in 22 yrs. not traveling 5 hrs. on Thanksgiving! We are hosting this year and my husband is cooking (for us, Thanksgiving is an easy meal, we stick to the basics)! Inlaws are coming to our house.
I get to watch the Macy's parade! I am so excited not to have to spend all the Thanksgiving break in a car! (I have a student 5 hrs. away that I have to pick up Tues. before Thanksgiving and take home Sunday after Thanksgiving).
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Post by mikklynn on Nov 13, 2017 16:02:49 GMT
Thanksgiving around here is pretty straight forward. This is the first year that I've been off of work in 8 years so I don't really know what to do with myself. Because of my schedule, we usually do Thanksgiving on Friday. I smoke a turkey breast on the Egg and make some type of bacon green bean thing while the rest of the family does other sides - mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes (I make these too), mac and cheese (my sis in law's is AMAZING), squash casserole, etc. My mom does a roasted turkey and dressing and deviled eggs. We may have a few other sides like creamed corn or something but it all depends on who all decides to show up. This year should prove interesting...my dad is coming to my mom and step-dad's. My exH will also probably come. It is my dd's 18th birthday so we can't not include him. He's all alone so I hate excluding him. My new DH is ok with it at least. Maybe our thanksgiving isn't quite so straight forward after all. We will, however, take a hayride through my mom's property and that's always a lot of fun. I probably look forward to that more than the dang food and we make some primo food, too!! I admire that you all try to get along, ex's and all. We do the same with our son and former DIL. It's easy for us, we adore her. It's probably not as easy for our DS and for ex DIL. We all do it for the kids.
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Post by mikklynn on Nov 13, 2017 16:09:27 GMT
We usually host a small group. We are a little bigger this year as our former neighbors and one of my young co-workers will be joining us, for a total of 9.
I purchase the meal pre-made at a local, upscale grocery store. It's fabulous. And honestly, if I add up what I would spend on the supplies to make everything, it's cheaper. I'll add a few sides and desserts.
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Post by malibou on Nov 13, 2017 16:58:16 GMT
We already did our Fauxgiving on Friday at my in-laws. No turkey as no one is that keen on it.
For Thanksgiving, dh and I are thinking of going to San Francisco on our own for two nights and leaving ds 16 at home. Ds is excited as this is the first time we will be leaving him overnight. We will ask our friends if he can crash their Thanksgiving meal.
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Post by Susie_Homemaker on Nov 13, 2017 17:42:00 GMT
It's usually us (me, DH, DD18 & DD22) and my parents but they've moved to TX so it's just the 4 of us. We talked about going out but I don't want to do that so I'm cooking and recruiting my girls to help. We'll have turkey, mac&cheese (which I always do those 2 anyway), sweet potatoes (I'm going to attempt my mom's recipe!), 7up salad (DHs family tradition), and maybe some green beans. And of course a can of cranberry sauce! It's not a ton of food but it's still the traditional stuff that we've always had (minus some) so it'll feel 'special' and like Thanksgiving.
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Post by monicad on Nov 13, 2017 20:38:00 GMT
Would love any great turkey recipes/methods. Even though I've hosted Thanksgiving for years, I only cook a turkey once a year and always seem to forget exactly what to do. LOL I guess I just haven't found that *one* favorite way of doing it. monicad Try this ... Best. Turkey. Evah! ALTON BROWN - Good Eats Roast TurkeyThanks...I think I'll give that a try!
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used2scrap
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,072
Jan 29, 2016 3:02:55 GMT
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Post by used2scrap on Nov 13, 2017 20:48:24 GMT
For some reason I keep thinking Thanksgiving is 2 weeks away, not one! Just a quiet turkey day here, but we make a traditional feast and enjoy lots (and lots) of leftovers. I will do quite a bit of dessert baking the beginning of next week to take to the USO (they do a free Holiday dinner for active, retired, and military veterans) and for the Marines staying in the barracks over the holiday. Can't wait for turkey, stuffing, and pie!
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Post by Tamhugh on Nov 13, 2017 21:03:33 GMT
Can mine be a little bit of a nervous vent?
I am hosting 20 people for Thanksgiving dinner. On Sunday, I am also hosting an annual family event here which is just supposed to be for the ladies in the family, but a few of them have decided to bring husbands and kids. No big deal. DH will entertain them. I am a little stressed because I have only hosted Thanksgiving once and my dad did most of the big cooking. He has since passed away so I am in charge.
We have had work that needed to be done on our house for ages, but we kept postponing it while kids were in college and we were paying tuition. Last week, DH decided to hire someone to do the exterior work. No big deal. But.... He chatted with the guy and found out that we could get a nice discount if we scheduled some of the interior work at the same time. So he signed a contract to redo our hardwood floors. He assured me it would all be done by mid-week this week. On Sunday we spent the whole day packing up pantries and closets, and all decorative items so that the sawdust wouldn't get into everything. Disconnected and moved the refrigerator and stove. Moved furniture. Want to guess where this is going? Delays in the work have it being finished on Friday. We can walk on the floors IN SOCKS on Saturday. Can move the appliances and furniture back on Sunday. The day we have 14 people arriving. I am going to have a small nervous breakdown. Please assure me that I will not be cooking Thanksgiving dinner for 20 people on my gas grill, on the patio, in the freezing cold.
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imsirius
Prolific Pea
Call it as I see it.
Posts: 7,661
Location: Floating in the black veil.
Jul 12, 2014 19:59:28 GMT
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Post by imsirius on Nov 13, 2017 21:28:17 GMT
It's just DH and I. We have been going out to a buffet for a number of years now, but good ones are getting harder and harder to find. The place we went last year raised the price and then tried to spin it as a good thing by including a glass of wine, which is fine if you drink, but we don't. So this year we have decided to stay home. But since it is just the 2 of us, a full traditional Thanksgiving feast isn't really practical. We are still kicking around some ideas, but I think it might be Chinese food. We will have to buy it the day before, so technically it will be leftover Chinese food. What about a small turkey breast or thighs? We buy these all the time and they are really good. You could do potatoes and one veggie with it and some stove top for easy prep.
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QueenoftheSloths
Drama Llama
Member Since January 2004, 2,698 forum posts PeaNut Number: 122614 PeaBoard Title: StuckOnPeas
Posts: 5,955
Jun 26, 2014 0:29:24 GMT
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Post by QueenoftheSloths on Nov 13, 2017 23:03:05 GMT
It's just DH and I. We have been going out to a buffet for a number of years now, but good ones are getting harder and harder to find. The place we went last year raised the price and then tried to spin it as a good thing by including a glass of wine, which is fine if you drink, but we don't. So this year we have decided to stay home. But since it is just the 2 of us, a full traditional Thanksgiving feast isn't really practical. We are still kicking around some ideas, but I think it might be Chinese food. We will have to buy it the day before, so technically it will be leftover Chinese food. What about a small turkey breast or thighs? We buy these all the time and they are really good. You could do potatoes and one veggie with it and some stove top for easy prep. We did think about this, but to me, if you are making a THANKSGIVING dinner, it needs to be all out, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, stuffing, veggies, etc. It's just not Thanksgiving dinner if some of those parts are missing. And I don't want to be eating Thanksgiving for the next week! So I figure, we will have something totally different, but over the next month or so, as parts of other meals, I will serve things like sweet potatoes, or stuffing, so we don't feel like we "missed out" on the one chance to have those things.
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The Birdhouse Lady
Drama Llama
Moose. It's what's for dinner.
Posts: 7,326
Location: Alaska -The Last Frontier
Jun 30, 2014 17:15:19 GMT
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Post by The Birdhouse Lady on Nov 14, 2017 0:15:48 GMT
We too are traditional Thanksgiving eaters - even with desserts. The Macy's Thanksgiving parade followed by the dog show. We try to eat at high noon, then spend the afternoon strategizing Black Friday shopping. This is us to a "T"
I am thinking about doing a berry pie to go along with the pumpkin this year though!
Someone remind me...the internal temp of the turkey is supposed to be 160 or 165??
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The Birdhouse Lady
Drama Llama
Moose. It's what's for dinner.
Posts: 7,326
Location: Alaska -The Last Frontier
Jun 30, 2014 17:15:19 GMT
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Post by The Birdhouse Lady on Nov 14, 2017 0:20:42 GMT
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, and I usually go all-out with a traditional turkey dinner. However, last year my sister couldn't make it, and my daughter couldn't make it, either, and none of our regular guests were around for it. I made the traditional feast and it was for just me, my husband, and my son, and it was kind of a downer. This year, my sister can't make it again. Daughter can't make it again. No guests. Just the three of us. My son reminded me how unhappy I was last year, and he suggested we do something different and save the traditional feast for Christmas when everyone will be here. He's going to bring a smoked turkey from work. I've asked my husband to make collard greens, and I'll make potato salad and banana pudding for dessert. It's a barbecue! So much more informal. I have my fingers crossed that it'll all work out!
Maybe after that you guys can go catch a new release movie. We used to do that before we had a crowd come over. It was really fun!
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The Birdhouse Lady
Drama Llama
Moose. It's what's for dinner.
Posts: 7,326
Location: Alaska -The Last Frontier
Jun 30, 2014 17:15:19 GMT
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Post by The Birdhouse Lady on Nov 14, 2017 0:29:59 GMT
Can mine be a little bit of a nervous vent? I am hosting 20 people for Thanksgiving dinner. On Sunday, I am also hosting an annual family event here which is just supposed to be for the ladies in the family, but a few of them have decided to bring husbands and kids. No big deal. DH will entertain them. I am a little stressed because I have only hosted Thanksgiving once and my dad did most of the big cooking. He has since passed away so I am in charge. We have had work that needed to be done on our house for ages, but we kept postponing it while kids were in college and we were paying tuition. Last week, DH decided to hire someone to do the exterior work. No big deal. But.... He chatted with the guy and found out that we could get a nice discount if we scheduled some of the interior work at the same time. So he signed a contract to redo our hardwood floors. He assured me it would all be done by mid-week this week. On Sunday we spent the whole day packing up pantries and closets, and all decorative items so that the sawdust wouldn't get into everything. Disconnected and moved the refrigerator and stove. Moved furniture. Want to guess where this is going? Delays in the work have it being finished on Friday. We can walk on the floors IN SOCKS on Saturday. Can move the appliances and furniture back on Sunday. The day we have 14 people arriving. I am going to have a small nervous breakdown. Please assure me that I will not be cooking Thanksgiving dinner for 20 people on my gas grill, on the patio, in the freezing cold.
Yikes, that is cutting it close! I would be nervous too!!
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Post by Belia on Nov 14, 2017 0:38:18 GMT
Can mine be a little bit of a nervous vent? I am hosting 20 people for Thanksgiving dinner. On Sunday, I am also hosting an annual family event here which is just supposed to be for the ladies in the family, but a few of them have decided to bring husbands and kids. No big deal. DH will entertain them. I am a little stressed because I have only hosted Thanksgiving once and my dad did most of the big cooking. He has since passed away so I am in charge. We have had work that needed to be done on our house for ages, but we kept postponing it while kids were in college and we were paying tuition. Last week, DH decided to hire someone to do the exterior work. No big deal. But.... He chatted with the guy and found out that we could get a nice discount if we scheduled some of the interior work at the same time. So he signed a contract to redo our hardwood floors. He assured me it would all be done by mid-week this week. On Sunday we spent the whole day packing up pantries and closets, and all decorative items so that the sawdust wouldn't get into everything. Disconnected and moved the refrigerator and stove. Moved furniture. Want to guess where this is going? Delays in the work have it being finished on Friday. We can walk on the floors IN SOCKS on Saturday. Can move the appliances and furniture back on Sunday. The day we have 14 people arriving. I am going to have a small nervous breakdown. Please assure me that I will not be cooking Thanksgiving dinner for 20 people on my gas grill, on the patio, in the freezing cold. I get why you're nervous! I would be a wreck in your shoes. Fingers crossed that all goes well.... and if it doesn't, then you'll have one hell of a story to tell in a few years! P.S. Have a Plan B in mind, whether it's Boston Market or your local grocery store or Cracker Barrel or whatever. That way you will not have to use it!
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Sept 21, 2024 0:51:18 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 14, 2017 0:40:44 GMT
My MIL makes an evening meal for thanksgiving and we play with the nieces and nephews.
I cook my meal the day after thanksgiving so I don't have to fight for time with my ex and mil. Just my kids and husband and we put up our tree. It's a nice day where we don't feel rushed and I'm so glad I started doing it that way. I pick up my kids on thanksgiving around 4-5 and we head to MILs. So they get to enjoy their holiday in all ways.
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