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| Youngest...what a turkey. |
JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: Okay, the future function is Thanksgiving, but I really, really wanted that alliteration. It’s less than three weeks away, and many of us are faced with a lot more choices than last year, when the big question for the day was “Should we buy a turkey breast for the two of us, or just say the hell with it and go with Swanson’s Frozen Turkey Dinner?”
Let’s dive right in, shall we?
1. Friends, family, or just you? Immediate family here, minus the Sailor and his girl, plus one or maybe more boyfriends (we’re definitely getting into that stage at Chateau Hugo-Vidal) and featuring special guests Victor and Celia Wakefield, whose daughter will be away this year.
2. Stoneware and whatever glasses you can find, or china and crystal? We do it up. We all know I’m a china/silver/monogrammed napkins junkie, now is the time to use it. I set a special holiday table last year, and I’m not sure we got out of pour pajamas for the meal.
3. Turkey: fresh or frozen? Rubbed, brined or whatever the newest thing is? I’m going to try to find fresh, but I need to pre-order fast. I’m willing to try whatever technique might make the bird more moist - I admit I’m not a great turkey roaster. (Never been underdone though, thank heavens.)
4. What’s your must-have side? For the kids: Himmel und Erde, a German mashed potato/turnip/apple dish. It’s also on deck for Christmas. For me… I don’t know, it may be the Alabamian in me, but I always crave a good sweet potato casserole swimming in butter and covered with glazed pecans. Better hope the weather holds for a post-prandial hike.
5. Potential Thanksgiving disaster you must avert? The ceiling over my dining table got soaked from a bathroom leak last month, mildewed, and the middle of three dry wall sections fell in. It looks BAD y’all, and we’re not spending any time in the living room just in case the mildew spores turn us into pod people. Josh the Carpenter swears he can have it fixed before the big day. Keep your fingers crossed.
1. Friends, family, or just you?
It will be me, Hub, Hooligans and their Plus Ones. We might staycation it or vacation it - we haven’t decided but it will be the six of us, which is always fun as the Hooligans have chosen well.
2. Stoneware and whatever glasses you can find, or china and crystal?
Buffet style and probably stoneware as we’ll be off nature walking or something in and around the meal. Might even go to a restaurant!
As mentioned above, we might go to a restaurant or deep fry that bad boy. I have no idea. Seat of the pantsing here!
4. What’s your must-have side?
Pumpkin pie! What do you mean that’s not a side? Of course, it’s a side! LOL!
5. Potential Thanksgiving disaster you must avert?
Setting the backyard on fire with deep fried turkey mentioned above. No one needs that drama.
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| Hallie's granddaughter knows the best part of the day |
1. Friends, family, or just you?
Family! I’ll be in Brooklyn celebrating a delicious Thanksgiving with my daughters, son-in-law, and grands. What could be more perfect!?
2. Stoneware and whatever glasses you can find, or china and crystal?
Not my department!! Though I’m pretty sure there is neither china nor crystal to be had. Last year or so I gave them a pan to cook the turkey in.
3. Turkey: fresh or frozen? Rubbed, brined or whatever the newest thing is?
Guessing, frozen. Hopefully thawed. No one realizes how long it takes for something that big and frozen to thaw. Then seasoned buttered and roasted. The old-fashioned way.
4. What’s your must-have side?
Dressing! Pepperidge Farm seasoned, with onion celery and a ton of gravy. AND pies for dessert - 3 kinds (pumpkin, apple, and custard.
5. Potential Thanksgiving disaster you must avert?
Buying a turkey that’s meant for the soup pot instead of oven roasting. DisASter.
1. Friends, family, or just you?
Family. Daughter and family plus other daughter from LA plus dog, hopefully eating outside in daughter’s glorious outdoor space. Son and wife decided it was too expensive to fly in and other daughter goes to in-laws.
Last year we ate turkey outside at Sonoma daughter’s house. It was cold!
2. Stoneware and whatever glasses you can find, or china and crystal?
Clare will be hosting. She loves to set an elegant table. Best glasses and china. Also we are planning to make our own crackers with special gifts for everyone. Ambitious? Maybe
3. Turkey: fresh or frozen? Rubbed, brined or whatever the newest thing is?
Cage free. Organic. Not sure if she brines. We do!
4. What’s your must-have side?
5. Potential Thanksgiving disaster you must avert?
There will be 3 dogs and lots of food on tables, maybe outside.
HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: Um, I’m worried about Thanksgiving. I wonder what we’re celebrating, and it’s distressing.
1. Friends, family, or just you? It’ll be just us..and I’m not sure what we’ll do. Maybe make a land acknowledgement? And think about history?
2. Stoneware and whatever glasses you can find, or china and crystal? In holidays past, we’ve done it up big.
3. Turkey: fresh or frozen? Rubbed, brined or whatever the newest thing is? I do love turkey, and maybe this will all move it from being connected with Thanksgiving.
4. What’s your must-have side? Oh, gosh, mashed potatoes were a staple.
5. Potential Thanksgiving disaster you must avert? An anytime disaster: forgetting to take the paper wrapped giblets thing out of the turkey before cooking it. I have done this. Once. And once you do it, you’ll never do it again.
LUCY BURDETTE
1. Friends, family, or just you? Neighbors this year, 5 of them. Everyone will bring something so the work will be spread out. And everyone’s vaccinated...the new low bar for guests!
2. Stoneware and whatever glasses you can find, or china and crystal? No crystal and china in Key West!
3. Turkey: fresh or frozen? Rubbed, brined or whatever the newest thing is? Gosh I hope it’s thawed by then...lots of butter, salt, pepper, onions and celery stuffed inside for flavor.
4. What’s your must-have side? Mashed potatoes and gravy. I’ll probably make cornbread stuffing, though I’ve toyed with the idea of Hallie’s Pepperidge Farm:).
5. Potential Thanksgiving disaster you must avert? Discussing politics. Period.
JULIA: Hank, if it helps, colonists up and down the Eastern seaboard were accustomed to having public days of thanksgiving. Lots of prayer, not necessarily feasting. And our official date of the third Thursday in November comes from President Lincoln's proclamation of a day to give thanks for Union victories over Confederate forces. So... moderately qualified yay?
Now it’s your turn, dear readers. Cut-n-paste the questions below and share your Thanksgiving plans with us! (Canadians, I haven’t forgotten you - let us know what happened to you on October 11…)
1. Friends, family, or just you?
2. Stoneware and whatever glasses you can find, or china and crystal?
3. Turkey: fresh or frozen? Rubbed, brined or whatever the newest thing is?
4. What’s your must-have side?
5. Potential Thanksgiving disaster you must avert?
1. Friends, family, or just you?
ReplyDeleteJust us . . . . As I write this, I’m in Georgia visiting the youngest daughter and her family [and collecting grandbaby hugs]. Unfortunately, that’s as much family visiting as we’re getting this November.
2. Stoneware and whatever glasses you can find, or china and crystal?
The good stuff because why not? Even if it’s just us, we can be festive.
3. Turkey: fresh or frozen? Rubbed, brined or whatever the newest thing is?
Considering how difficult it is becoming to get so many things, we’ll have whatever we can get, probably frozen. But it will be old-fashioned roasting for that turkey.
4. What’s your must-have side?
Traditionally, we have cranberry compote, mashed potatoes, dressing, sweet potatoes, and green beans or asparagus. [No green bean casserole here.] Mince pie is a must-have. If there’s company, then there would be pumpkin pie, too. I’m seriously considering pie crust cookies, though.
5. Potential Thanksgiving disaster you must avert?
Disasters? Nah . . . if the turkey doesn’t get in the oven early enough, we’ll just eat late . . . .
That's one of the advantages of the "just us" dinner, isn't it, Joan? Last year we had Thanksgiving for four, and it was VERY relaxing. Same feel - eh, if I don't get it in the oven until after the dog show, we'll just snack until everything is done.
DeleteCanadian Thanksgiving (Oct 11) answers:
ReplyDelete1. Friends, family, or just you?
Just me. My dad passed away suddenly on Sept 17 in Toronto, and I was not in the mood for any big Thanksgiving celebration.
2. Stoneware and whatever glasses you can find, or china and crystal?
This year: Takeout containers transferred food to Corelle plates.
Normally, I use stoneware.
3. Turkey: fresh or frozen? Rubbed, brined or whatever the newest thing is?
Since I did a single serving take-out turkey dinner, I don't know.
Normally, I do a smallish frozen turkey, brined.
4. What’s your must-have side?
Mashed potato and gravy (this year).
Some fruit pie for dessert: pumpkin, blueberry (I ended up getting three-berry pie this year.
Normally I make sausage meat stuffing with onion, celery and poultry seasoning (my mom's recipe).
5. Potential Thanksgiving disaster you must avert?
Food poisoning from improperly thawed turkey? Nah, has never happened yet.
Much love, Grace
DeleteYes same Grace, and I hope the estate settling is going easily!
DeleteANN AND ROBERTA: Thanks. Has anyone ever had an easy time settling an estate? Some roadblocks and annoyances persist for sure. That is why I was calling for the services of Saint $#&! a while ago.
DeletePure misery settling an estate - NOTHING works the way it's supposed to. And you age several years "on hold" waiting for customer so-called service. Grace, I'll be thinking of you...
DeleteHugs, Grace. Those first holidays are so rough.
DeleteHALLIE and KAREN: Thanks.
DeleteOn the plus side, I now have a better idea on how to modify MY WILL AND TRUST so that the executors for my estate don't go through the issues/frustrations that I am currently dealing with.
We had the same experience, Grace, after three of our collective parents died, and we redid our wills, etc. And I helped my mother with hers. That was lucky last year when we had to make family decisions when she was in the COVID ICU.
DeleteGrace, I've been there. First Thanksgiving without Ross was NOT during Covid, so the kids and I were able to travel away from home. And yes, settling the estate... I've come to believe it's so irritating and complicated because it's designed to keep you busy and feeling something other than grief in the first couple of months.
DeleteHugs, Grace. Big loss changes things. I get it.
DeleteHugs, Grace
DeleteJULIA: Well, the estate process is definitely keeping me occupied. Good thing I am retired and have time to be on customer service (hell) hold forever. And getting contradictory advice or responses when I do finally get to speak to a real person...sigh.
DeleteJENN and DANIELLE: Thanks.
DeleteOh, Grace, I'm so sorry to hear of your father's passing.
DeleteI’m so sorry, Grace. I just lost my brother this week quite suddenly, and my sister-in-law is getting a crash course in estate settling, etc. I was the executrix of my mom’s estate years ago, and the whole thing is kind of a fog in my head. My thoughts are with you.
DeleteDebRo
Grace, sorry for your loss. As you said to Dru below, be kind to yourself, especially through the holiday season when the expectation is that everyone must be jolly. I found a special church service shortly after losing my parents--it was held during the holiday season for those of us who were not feeling especially cheery and bright.
DeleteHugs from me too Grace. Give yourself time to grieve. We’ll be thinking of you
DeleteDEANA, DEB, FLORA: Thanks for your kind words.
DeleteYes,it has a bit of a haze/daze going to Toronto and packing up my Dad's suite in the retirement home and executor duties.
It has been a draining experience, but I am feeling better.
DebRo, I've been away all day and just seeing this. I hope you see my reply. I'm so sorry about your brother.
DeleteThank you, Karen. My sisters and I got to spend a couple of hours with him and his family a couple of days before he died. This is the second time I’ve lost a sibling and it’s just such a peculiar feeling. I don’t wish it on anyone!
DeleteDebRo
First: Hank, I think it's fine to make the day a celebration of family and food.
ReplyDelete1. Friends, family, or just you? Son, d-i-l, and our close friends, which now include a four-year old and a baby!
2. Stoneware and whatever glasses you can find, or china and crystal? My mother's elegant china and my grandmother's silver on white damask.
3. Turkey: fresh or frozen? Rubbed, brined or whatever the newest thing is? I've had such great luck with dry rubs on chicken, I think I'll try that on the local fresh turkey this year.
4. What’s your must-have side? Smashed potatoes with the skins on and lots of butter. Plus three kinds of pies - pumpkin, apple, and pecan.
5. Potential disaster: Any of us getting a COVID exposure (or worse, the disease) beforehand and not being able to make the gathering.
Edith, you make potatoes the same way I do - skins, lumps and lots of butter. Take that smooth-as-baby-food stuff and put it far away from me!
DeleteSame! I needs my lumps!
DeleteGah - just found out the local fresh turkeys are sold out! Who knew? Guess we're going with Market Basket butterball...
DeleteAlso, Hallie - the granddaughter/pie photo is the BEST.
1. Friends, family, or just you? Don't know yet. First Thanksgiving without my mom. Was invited to friend's place
ReplyDelete2. Stoneware and whatever glasses you can find, or china and crystal? Whatever glasses
3. Turkey: fresh or frozen? Rubbed, brined or whatever the newest thing is? Don't like turkey
4. What’s your must-have side? Baked macaroni and cheese
5. Potential Thanksgiving disaster you must avert? crying my eyes out
Much love
Deletethat's hard Dru. Hope you are able to share the day with others who loved your mom.
Deletestocking up on kleenex here, too - hugs, Dru.
DeleteHugs to you, too, Dru.
DeleteHugs to you, Dru. Be kind to yourself.
DeleteOh, Dru, the first holidays without a loved one are so hard. I hope you can share good memories and smile through the tears.
DeleteMy first holiday alone was while Mom was still alive but living with my sister in Oregon. I was physically alone but not without the contact via phone.
DeleteCry if you need to, Dru. Don't let anyone tell you to suck it up just because it's a holiday.
DeleteDru,
DeleteMy thoughts and prayers are with you.
DebRo
1. Friends, family, or just you?
ReplyDeleteWe aren't sure yet. But there is potential for including our neighbor. We have done this for all holiday meals since her husband died a year and a half ago. She's so lonely and her children aren't around.
2. Stoneware and whatever glasses you can find, or china and crystal?
All the fine china is packed away. Has been forever. Long story. We use my Mikasa, bought eons ago when I lived in SoCal. With fine crystal and sterling. No white damask although I have it. We will use the pretty tablecloth from Provence.
3. Turkey: fresh or frozen? Rubbed, brined or whatever the newest thing is?
Whatever we can find at Wegman's. A few years ago I trying convection roasting using the probe set at 160. I insert it not in the bird but up the wazoo in the dressing. Perfection! As for rubs, I season inside and out with kosher salt, pepper and Herbes de Provence. Then I leave it uncovered in the fridge overnight. This allows the salt to melt and permeate the entire bird. The stuffing starts with Pepperidge Farm -- did we all get imprinted or what -- sausage and celery and onions and an apple. And extra sage.
4. What’s your must-have side? Fresh cranberry orange relish. I could live on this. And for Julie, a can of Ocean Spray. Whatever.
5. Potential Thanksgiving disaster you must avert?
In years past I've forgot to turn on the oven, dropped the turkey on the floor, inverted the pumpkin pie in the oven, under/over cooked the turkey, but I managed to avert killing anyone. Unlike my friend whose husband "built" her a long table for her T-Day buffet for the immediate world. Once loaded with all the food it collapsed, and her entire efforts went on the floor, mixed with broken glass, mashed potatoes and a ton of gravy.
Oh yikes, that's a true disaster Ann! I hope your neighbor gets to join you...
DeleteOh, wow, that IS a disaster. Time to call the local Chinese restaurant!
DeleteYikes! I dropped a very buttery three layer cake once - this now seems like more of an incident than a tragedy. Oy.
DeleteOh… That is just breathtaking in its tragic and cinematic scope! Oh my gosh…
Delete1. Friends, family, or just you? We will be 20 -- all family, my 16 plus my mom, sister and her wife and their daughter. Thinking a lot about logistics and food (a GF, a couple of vegetarians, some traditionalists and some who cares).
ReplyDelete2. Stoneware and whatever glasses you can find, or china and crystal? It will be mid-level fancy. I have turkey dinner plates and a turkey platter.
3. Turkey: fresh or frozen? Rubbed, brined or whatever the newest thing is? Fresh, organic, oven roasted.
4. What’s your must-have side? I'd be happy if the entire dinner were mashed potatoes and gravy with a side of pie.
5. Potential Thanksgiving disaster you must avert? Exhaustion.
Exhaustion is always a potential issue when you're hosting, Denise! And there's more to think of nowadays, because there's always someone who is gluten free, and another who is vegetarian or vegan. over the years, I've master a few basic dishes that work for non-traditional eaters of various stripes, and are also tasty for the rest of us.
DeleteAt my house, the vegan brings a vegan side, the no-lactose-and-gluten-free brings a side she can eat, and so on.
Delete1. Friends, family, or just you? - I'm not sure yet. Ever since my mom died, a family that is "a friend of the family" has invited me over to Thanksgiving dinner. I wasn't able to go last year for obvious reasons, but they made me up a platter of food that I popped over to pick up and had dinner on my own. Since it is probably still not safe for "outsiders" to be around the older people in the family, I suspect that it will be kind of the same thing again this year. That's okay though, as it means I get to eat and watch football and have very little cleanup. I get the turkey, potatoes and I think they sent me dessert as well last year. I bought my own gravy, rolls and ordered pie as well which is probably what I'll do again this year.
ReplyDelete2. Stoneware and whatever glasses you can find, or china and crystal? - Assuming the above answer comes to pass, I'll just use the same generic plate, glass and silverware that I use all year round. Unlike you Julia, I don't go in for all the frou frou fancy stuff. Just give me a plate with a big mound of food and I'm happy.
3. Turkey: fresh or frozen? Rubbed, brined or whatever the newest thing is? - We always got a frozen turkey and then cooked it in the oven with the minimal stuff done to it to make it cook up nice and juicy. Again, nothing fancy. I do know that while deep frying a turkey leaves the bird still edible and all, it isn't the same as doing the hours long cooking job in the oven.
4. What’s your must-have side? I like my canned Ocean Spray cranberry sauce and I don't want to hear any crap about that...particularly from people who think pumpkin spice anything is acceptable. LOL! Beyond that, my plate is generally made up of the basic stuff. No veggies need apply though!
5. Potential Thanksgiving disaster you must avert? - Well, getting sick would be something to avoid and not dropping my plate as I move from the kitchen to the TV would help tremendously in the eating of the meal.
I know my answers don't really give off a "I love the holiday" vibe but as a fat guy I do enjoy a holiday that is pretty much centered on having a big meal that even my doctor can't kvetch too much about.
Oh, and I just received my order from Candyfavorites.com of 8 bags of the Brach's Holiday Mix hard candies so I have a total of 10 bags which will carry me through the holiday season and well into next year as well.
Oh my gosh, Jay, Brachs Holiday mix takes me down memory lane. My grandmother always had little Christmas-themes bowls of those had candies all over, and it was SUCH a treat because otherwise she was pretty strict about sweets (as was my mom.)
DeleteThis is a year when being a good friend might mean not sitting down with your friends. You're a good man for helping keep others healthy. (Plus, the sitting down with a groaning plate in front of the tube has a DEFINITE appeal.)
candyfavorites.com - as a certified candy freak, why am I just learning about this???
Deletechecking out candyfavorites.com
DeleteDoes candyfavorites.com have ribbon candy? I need to stopping responses and check them out!
DeleteTo follow up on the candy part of all the replies. Because I can't find the Brach's Holiday Mix in any store within 50 miles of me (I've checked!), I have been importing the candy from Wisconsin for years now. However, I found out about 2 weeks ago that the place I got it from (O'Ryan's Village) shut down seemingly soon after the holiday last year. Even though they had just migrated to a new dotcom address last year as well.
DeleteSo I had to find a new source to get my candy from. My friend Ann bought me a couple bags from Amazon but trying to find a site that I could buy from myself had me Googling my fat butt off and I discovered Candyfavorites.com. And the site said they had it in stock. But I called first. Turns out they DIDN'T have it in stock. So I waited until November 1st and called back. NOW they had it! So I registered on the site and I bought 2 boxes (4 bags in each box) and had it shipped to me. It was like nirvana opening up the box and seeing all that candy goodness.
So Jenn, I don't know why you haven't heard of this site before because it's a candy lover's dream.
Dru, I hope you find something you like there.
Deanna, I don't know if they have ribbon candy. I only ordered my Brach's Holiday Mix and didn't look through the site for anything else yet. So I would say go check!
And should you order, feel free to tell them that you were recommended to the site by me.
Julia, yes the Christmas hard candies are definitely reminders of grandparents at the holidays since that is probably where most of us got our start with the hard candy stuff in the first place. As for not being with anyone for the Turkey Day, like I said, I'm good with it that way. It doesn't bother me to not be around people and if the bonus is that I do whatever little part I can to keep others healthy, well that's good too.
I checked, they do have ribbon candy but its out of stock
DeleteI've certainlyu enjoyed reading about everyone's holiday plans. For myself I have absolutely no idea wha will happen here at all. There is a rather large family kerfuffle, if not an outright ccrisis. I would hope things might be resolved and settled down by then but I just don't know. When there are two very hard heads who refuse to see any ideas other than their own, and they are both a little bit right and a lot wrong (I'm in the middle) it will not be easy.
ReplyDeleteSure I could plan a nice meal and maybe one of them would not show up or there will be yelling and a lot of tears. Maybe I'll plan on a can of soup for myself and everyone can do as they please.
Judi, make something that stays warm in the crockpot and leave it plugged in in the garage? If they can't get along, they can enjoy their food outside...
DeleteOh dear… Maybe just let the day go by, and that can be your own personal Thanksgiving :-)
Delete1- For my Canadian Thanksgiving, we were allowed up to 10 people from three households in Quebec. We finally were four.
ReplyDeleteI invited my single brother to come with me to another brother recovering from a large surgical operation and whose spouse stays at home assisting her dying sister and best friend. I brought the whole meal.
2- We ate in my brother’s ordinary stoneware
3- No turkey involved, I had marinated pork tenderloins in ginger, maple sirop and soy sauce that we cooked on BBQ
4- We had vegetables fried rice and steamed broccoli completed with maple syrup squares for desserts
5- All went well , we were happy to be together but didn’t stay too long to not wear out our brother.
Danielle, that sounds like a truly meaningful Thanksgiving, with the added benefit that marinated pork tenderloins sounds 100% tastier than turkey!
DeleteMy daughter's mother-in-law is hostess. She's an excellent cook and sets a fabulous table. I contribute apple pies and Louisiana sweet potato casserole topped with chopped pecans and brown sugar.
ReplyDeleteMy turkey stuffing is Pepp Farm herbal mixed with chopped celery, onion, parsley, and sausage. Yum!
On the disaster front, I'm dreading Christmas with no oven. I'll be cooking dinner for 7 on the stovetop, gas grill, and in the counter-top air oven. No cookie baking this year. The appliance guy told me in June "Christmas is a sure bet," and now he's saying Easter, with a lot of whining about one microwave manufacturer unable to meet demand (I need a wall oven/mic combo).
Oh, Margaret, that's a toughie. I've been hearing about the long wait for appliances (thanks to the supply chain problems.) I once made it through several months cooking only with the stovetop (only two burners worked) the microwave and a crockpot. Did you know you can make lasagna in the crockpot?
Deletegoogling it right now thanks!
DeleteYes, Pepperidge Farm stuffing is amazing!
DeleteWe used to use a stand alone roaster for meats for holiday meals at grandma's. Won't help with the cookie issue but might help with other thinks
DeleteA roasted chicken from the store can be delicious if your oven isn't working.
Delete1. Friends, family, or just you?
ReplyDeleteMy oldest daughter was born the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, and this will be her 51st. They are coming down for the weekend, but she and her family are hoping to have turkey with her dad. I'm going to get a small bird, and invite our neighbors, which we've done most of the 34 years we've known them. If my daughter's dad flakes out (a likely happening), her family can join us.
2. Stoneware and whatever glasses you can find, or china and crystal?
Such a small gathering, I'll use the good stuff. Our lady neighbor will appreciate the effort.
3. Turkey: fresh or frozen? Rubbed, brined or whatever the newest thing is?
Usually, it's a wild bird shot on our farm and just roasted, but Steve couldn't hit one to save his life last spring. So I'm hoping to score an organic bird. Which reminds me, the farmer has not gotten back to me.
4. What’s your must-have side?
Mashed potatoes for me, green beans and salad for Steve. Boxed stuffing and canned cranberries for my daughter. Our neighbor is GF, and she cannot have nuts, so I'll have to choose carefully. But the good news is we will have lettuce from my garden!
5. Potential Thanksgiving disaster you must avert?
Already averted. Not going to my brother's with the whole fam damnily. They will have almost 30 guests. During COVID. No thanks.
Smart, Karen! 30 guests sounds like a LOT, unless you're in a place where you can all be outdoors.
DeleteI love the "boxed stuffing and canned cranberries" - one of the great things about Thanksgiving is that people don't want the latest gourmet dish; they want the same things they've always had.
Yes, and at least six of those people will be kids under 6.
DeleteI've tried making homemade versions, but the girls wouldn't stand for it! They also want Cool Whip with their pumpkin pie, go figure. LOL
wow, that's too many people. Glad you're not going there.
Deleteeeek, 30 guests is too much, glad you are doing your own smaller gathering.
DeleteOh, that is so interesting and informative, Julia! I’m very grateful to hear that. Thank you!
ReplyDelete
ReplyDelete1. Friends, family, or just you? I will be house sitting. Might be able to talk my daughter into joining me. They have a big flat screen television. My mediation center hosts a vegan Thanksgiving. I will be a volunteer food runner, -- the meal will be outside -- but not eating there. I simple cannot imagine Thanksgiving chowing down on nut loaf.
2. Stoneware and whatever glasses you can find, or china and crystal? Depends on what the homeowners have for dishware. They do have a dishwasher. Big treat for me.
3. Turkey: fresh or frozen? Rubbed, brined or whatever the newest thing is?
Obviously not nut loaf. What ever bird we can find. My trick has been to break down the turkey before roasting the bird. That way the breast does not dry out before the dark meat is cooked.
4. What’s your must-have side? Lumpy mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce.
5. Potential Thanksgiving disaster you must avert? Setting off the smoke alarm in the homeowners house. I will have to practice cooking on their stove before T day.
Coralee, I'm glad you aren't eating at your mediation center. Because there is NOTHING to be thankful for if you are eating a Turkey Day dinner that doesn't have TURKEY! :D
DeleteSorry I missed this yesterday, Julia!!
ReplyDelete1. Friends, family, or just you? Hopefully getting together with daughter's family and friend Gigi. Last year we were alone with takeout and it was the pits.
2. Stoneware and whatever glasses you can find, or china and crystal? If we go to my daughter's, she will set some sort of very nice table. If we are at home, yes to the good china, silver, and crystal. Why not?
3. Turkey: fresh or frozen? Rubbed, brined or whatever the newest thing is? Daughter says they can get friends who own a barbecue place to smoke a turkey. Fabulous!
4. What’s your must-have side? Southern cornbread dressing. (Dressing, not stuffing, here in Texas. And homemade.)
5. Potential Thanksgiving disaster you must avert? Anyone being sick!!!
Dressing - southern thing - Yeah, grandma was from Oklahoma ....
DeleteThird times the charm.... finger crossed....
ReplyDelete1. Friends, family, or just you? Just me, myself and I.
2. Stoneware and whatever glasses you can find, or china and crystal? My earliest memories are sitting at Grandma's dining table with all her lace, linen, china and crystal. She would put Saran Wrap under the littlest diners place settings in case of spills and drips. I have her china, Mom's silver and my own crystal. I could do a fancy place setting or just be comfortable with my colorful Fiesta ware.
3. Turkey: fresh or frozen? Rubbed, brined or whatever the newest thing is? My first year on my own, I purchased a roasting pan and rack to cook the smallest turkey I could find. Way to many leftovers. Now I just make our traditional oyster dressing and forgo the bird. Which leads us to the next question....
4. What’s your must-have side? The afore mentioned oyster dressing. Neither my mom or grandma roasted a stuffed turkey. Turkey cooked in less time and easier to make sure the dressing was completely cooked. I like roasted vegetables: butternut squash, Brussel sprouts drizzled with balsamic vinegar. I found a great recipe online, years ago, for a pear/apple/cranberry tarte titan. Now I make the filling and use puff pastry for hand pies.
5. Potential Thanksgiving disaster you must avert? Cooking too much food. Try as I do, I still have problems cooking holiday dinners for one and hate finding dead food in the back of refrigerator two weeks later.
Okay, fingers crossed..... here we go....
It worked!!!!!
DeleteHey Deanna, if you happen to cook too much turkey and don't want it...you just feel free to box it up and send it my way. LOL!
DeleteYum, oyster dressing sounds yummy. Never tried it. Our pork sausage stuffing with veg was a family tradition.
DeleteAs a solo cook, I emphasize the challenge of having too many leftovers and experiments growing in the back of the fridge. Good luck!
Canadian here. Thanksgiving slipped by without incident. We are only two in the house and do not cook a turkey. I don't remember what we had, but if I were to eat my fantasy Thanksgiving meal it would include crisply roasted turkey, bread sauce on the side, green beans for colour, homemade cranberry+orange compote, and pumpkin pie for dessert. yum! Oh, and a large table with lots of friends joining me for the meal :)
ReplyDeleteBread sauce?
DeleteBread sauce?
Delete1. Friends, family, or just you? Family only--no plus-ones yet!
ReplyDelete2. Stoneware and whatever glasses you can find, or china and crystal? Stoneware, etc., but we'll decorate the table. Little guy did the cutest centerpiece in preschool--he loves seeing it!
3. Turkey: fresh or frozen? Rubbed, brined or whatever the newest thing is? Turkey breast--frozen or fresh, whichever is available here.
4. What’s your must-have side? Broccoli and bacon, mashed potatoes and gravy because I'm never sure if the turkey will be dry or not.
5. Potential Thanksgiving disaster you must avert? Trying a new dessert that gets a thumb's down--we're sticking with pumpkin pie and lots of whipped cream this year!
At this point, I don’t know what’s going to happen. Last year I was alone, due to Covid, and I don’t even remember what I did. I normally spend Thanksgiving and Christmas with my sister in upstate CT. The day after Thanksgiving I went to her house, and we ate outside wrapped up in blankets. One of her adult children and his family had Covid early on in the pandemic, and he had been especially sick. He and his family now do everything within their power to avoid crowds, understandably. Her daughter is two years into a diagnosis of a debilitating incurable illness that can cause irreparable lung damage, so they avoid crowds, too. I was okay with being alone because I felt I was doing my part to protect my nephew and my niece and their families. Everyone who is old enough has now been vaccinated and we’ve all had our booster shots, but they still feel uncomfortable about crowds. I’ll go along with whatever they decide.
ReplyDeleteDebRo
Julia, unless you insist on a Norman Rockwell picture with a whole turkey presented at the table, I'm told that roasting the bird with the legs and breasts separated is the best way to guarantee that light and dark meat cook properly without drying out.
ReplyDeleteLucy, my mother combined 1/2 of a batch of Jiffy cornbread and Pepperidge Farms stuffing mix with onions, celery, and water chestnuts, plus a ton of butter.
Rhys, I can appreciate your concerns about a dog disaster. I cooked 2 racks of lamb one time. Served one and the other was waiting in the oven with the door partially open. One of my cats reached into the oven from above and attempted to make off with the second rack! We caught her just in time!
Ack! My answer to all is I don't know! My sister and her family started going to a Korean place for dinner and then coming here for dessert. But not last year. We usually invite our nextdoor neighbor. But not last year. If we have turkey it will be because Frank wants one and will smoke it outdoors. I will definitely make cornbread dressing to go with it. We never had china or silver, just crystal and tons of fancy silver serving trays, bowls, etc that people thought we needed when we married. They haven't seen the light of day in years. This sounds grinchy-y but I'd love to skip the whole holiday. So much work. Who was it, Erma Bombeck who complained it was hours of work for ten minutes of eating? Bleah. Why did I marry a traditionalist????
ReplyDeleteA couple of years ago I was ill, and neither of my college aged children was up to cooking. And my husband is...welll...encouraged not to.
DeleteWe had crab legs, garlic bread, and salad for dinner and it was delightful. My daughter asked if we could do it again this year, but we settled on barbecue. We are giving thanks for pigs and corn casserole.
1. Friends, family, or just you?
ReplyDeleteLook forward to celebrating Thanksgiving with my family.
2. Stoneware and whatever glasses you can find, or china and crystal?
Since I love to set an elegant table, it will be a tablecloth with pretty placemats, my 2x great grandmother's pretty plates (china?) with French words for each month (I think they lived in France for a while while waiting for passage to America?), and pretty glassware given to my grandparents for their wedding from the Lord Mayor of Reading, England and his family in 1927.
3. Turkey: fresh or frozen? Rubbed, brined or whatever the newest thing is?
This year will be the first year without turkey at all! Maybe pumpkin soup or carrot ginger soup instead with a big salad? Maybe vegetable lasagna?
4. What’s your must-have side?
Pumpkin pie is a must!
5. Potential Thanksgiving disaster you must avert?
No idea. I do not know.
Diana
My Internet connection has gone off twice as I've tried to type a response here, so I'm going to summarize quickly.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter and her family will be here for Thanksgiving dinner. I'm not sure about my son and his girlfriend yet. We will probably use my Christmas dishes, as we will be gathering for Christmas at my daughter's and I like to have Christmas decor up for the kids at Thanksgiving. Turkey will be bought cooked and sliced this year, along with dressing, gravy, and green beans. I will be fixing mashed potatoes, scalloped oysters, pumpkin pie, and chocolate cherry cake. The must-have side would be the scalloped oysters, as that's a tradition from my mother. The disaster I must avert is keeping the dogs from tripping me, as there will probably be three running around.
Just me using my regular dishes. I already bought turkey legs and thighs so one of them in the crockpot. I usually do potatoes and vegetables in the pot but may just make Bob Evans mashed potatoes with lima beans. I'm thinking of turkey leftovers, especially sandwiches. And hopefully no disasters. Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDelete1. Friends, family, or just you? The boy is flying in! He hasn't been here since covid reared its ugly head, so we are excited. It'll likely be just the four of us. We spend the next day getting and setting up a Christmas tree as a family.
ReplyDelete2. Stoneware and whatever glasses you can find, or china and crystal? Grandma's china and Great-Aunt-Adina's Crystal along with husband's Grandmother's silver.
3. Turkey: fresh or frozen? Rubbed, brined or whatever the newest thing is? I've done it all, but this year a fresh turkey from Pat's Meat Market (they still have some Julia) roasted upside down in the oven. I don't care what it looks like because the juices all run into the white meat and make it edible. Just butter, salt & pepper, oh and stuffing inside.
4. What’s your must-have side? So many! Mashed potatoes, stuffing from scratch, gravy, fresh cranberries cooked with orange zest, and usually Brussel sprouts with maple syrup and mustard.
5. Potential Thanksgiving disaster you must avert? Granddog is coming. Granddog jumps on counters.
Oh, and so glad Celia and Victor will be with you, Julia. I got to see them briefly after picking apples out near them. Dropped off a few there and had a lovely cup of tea and a chat.
Delete1. Friends, family, or just you?
ReplyDeleteJust the two of us. As of now. Plans may change.
2. Stoneware and whatever glasses you can find, or china and crystal?
Corelle and Waterford wine glasses. I’ve recently been using the Waterford every day because why not! They’re just sitting in a cupboard otherwise and what am I saving them for?
3. Turkey: fresh or frozen? Rubbed, brined or whatever the newest thing is?
Turkey for sure and probably frozen. I would like to try it in the Instant Pot but I’m not sure it’ll fit.
4. What’s your must-have side?
Homemade cranberry sauce. I’ve been making it for 50 years or so. Sugar free.
5. Potential Thanksgiving disaster you must avert?
The turkey not thawing on time. And, sadly, it’s happened more than once. I learned early on the hard way that those little packages of innards were put in two openings. That hasn’t happened again.
I’m a day late on this, but…
ReplyDelete1. Just the two of us. I can’t remember the last time we used our dining room table which seats 10.
2. Just the everyday things. We got rid of the fancy, packed-away stuff years ago. As my wife said, “If it’s good enough for Tuesday, it’s good enough for Sunday.”
3. Though we usually have turkey, brined, there is so much bird left on the carcass, and we don’t like the drumsticks, that this year we’re having lasagna.
4. With lasagna, it’ll be garlic bread, naturally. For dessert, there will be pumpkin pie and vanilla bean ice cream.
5. With no guests, no turkey, store-bought pie, there shouldn’t be any disasters, though if it’s as windy as it has been the last three days, a power outage is possible. Fingers crossed on that.
Hank, we can be thankful that book sales are good, that the previous President is no longer in office and that there is music.
Oh! That is a brilliant plan!
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