How Can it be Thanksgiving Week Already?!
I can’t believe it’s Thanksgiving week. Where has the time gone? Am I the only one that feels it has been a little sneaky this year?
I do love the idea of stopping and giving thanks, but the meal intimidates me. Cooking is not my gift. The idea that I have to make this enormous meal consisting of foods that I never get the chance to practice is my nightmare. People are coming to my house to eat this stuff. I am hoping that my cute decorations will distract them from the fact that I couldn’t get the mashed potatoes and the broccoli casserole to be warm at the same time. And let’s not even talk about my effort at making gravy.
I may start referring to it as, “The sad day of other people being forced to eat Lisa’s cooking”.
In other news, my sweet Faithy turns 15 this week. This one is hitting me hard. I guess it’s official. She is not going to be little ever again. No more dolls, no more dressing up like Mommy. Hey! Do you think she’s getting old enough to learn to make Thanksgiving dinner on her own? Maybe there is a good side to letting them grow up.
To prove her 15-year-oldness, she wants to go shopping for her birthday. “No gifts Mom, just money for shopping.” She’s a chip off the old block, that one.
Since her birthday is Black Friday, she wants to get up and leave at 5AM. Hit the stores, find some bargains and be home by lunch to celebrate the rest of the day.
I love this child. Just in writing this I am realizing that I may have to make her my favorite. Especially if she can learn to make my grandmother’s cornbread dressing. Plus she keeps my sewing room organized. Oh yeah. It’s official. She gets my Amish quilt in the will. That’s pretty much the only nice thing I own.
You all have probably already planned and shopped for your Thanksgiving feast. Not me. I did get a turkey at Costco. I suppose I should go to the grocery store for the rest of the ingredients, but I saw the parking lot yesterday and I am not sure I am up for it. I live in a small town with a high population of elderly and let me tell you, they are not the friendliest. I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but if one more octogenarian hits me with their cart I may have a meltdown.
Maybe a 5AM grocery shopping trip is called for. Maybe I could get the girls to do the shopping. Maybe I should just call Luby’s and make my reservation.
I’m putting off making a Thanksgiving dinner for as loooooooooong as I can. “Mommy!! I’ll be home for Thanksgiving!”
I do make some killer side dishes, but 3 is my limit.
I’m so glad to see you have a favorite child, too. hehehe
Where in Ktown can you go shopping at 5am? That HEB is just not conducive to having TWO carts at a time on any one aisle. It seems I have turned into my Aunt Mildred…who can never get anything going in a hurry. Last week it took me 4 hours to get a dinner for FOUR ready…and yes the roasted vegetables were a bit chilly. But I decided that it was more important to visit with friends and fix at the same time…so however long it took, we just got to visit more! (and guess what, it doesn’t matter how many ovens you have going either!) oh well…
Lisa, we’re off to the big city. No small town shopping for us! But you’re scaring me a little with the dinner for four story. I may be in more trouble than I thought. Lisa~
Lisa, Happy birthday to your daughter. It won’t be long until she will be driving then the headaches really begin. I say bake the turkey and have each guest bring a dish!
xo, Sherry
Ah, since it is just the four of us, I am keeping it simple. Turkey in the crockpot. Baked potatoes, corn, pumpkin pie, corn bread, and Stove Top stuffing.
I am thankful for so many things – not the least of which is my lovely mother in law who will be preparing most of the meal and cleaning it up, too! The next day I get to whisk my little family off to West Virginia for a week of hunting(for the boys) and shopping(for us girls)! That does mean no 5am shopping for me, oh drat! 🙂
Your daughter is sweet and such a blessing for helping out! I remember 15 – it was difficult. I know she will have a fabulous day shopping with you, what a great bonding time for the two of you!
And yes, I agree, Thanksgiving got here much to soon – let’s hope Christmas isn’t in such a hurry!
Blessings,
Sheri O.
Cook everything Wednesday (except mashed potatoes)! Make a schedule for Thursday to help keep your sanity.
Put the turkey in Thursday morning. Start potatoes boiling 45 minutes before turkey is done. When turkey comes out to “rest”, put all your other dishes in the oven to reheat. Does your husband carve the turkey? If so, while he’s carving, make gravy. If not, get the gravy going then carve. Have a child mash the potatoes. Put turkey on a platter, gravy in a boat, and potatoes in a bowl.
Voila! You’re done & everything is warm and ready for the table.
And make a list, like me, for the side of the fridge so you don’t forget to put anything out! Oh, and take pictures of your cute decorations…
Right there with ya on the behind-ness (both HAVING one and BEING so) 🙂 Our prep for Thanksgiving that, yes, we’re hosting here at our house? Went on a weekend vacation with Jocie and Ethan from OPC … a little over 24 hours ago I was on a cruise ship eating brunch. A little under 24 hours from now, there will be 11 guests dining at our table. Now how to bridge that gap…. ???
Happy Birthday to beautiful Faith!! I still have ornaments with each of the girl’s names and have great memories of each of them. I even have a “Tater” ornament in honor of Levi.
I have an idea. However, since we are getting so close to the feast, you may want to consider it for next year…assign a piece of the menu to each child, Grace makes the potatoes, Jacob makes the gravy, Faith the veggie dish, etc…then all you need to do is the turkey and decorate…and your most organized child can be the “coordinator” of the timing and work with the rest of the siblings on oven timing and keeping things warm.
You have a wealth of brains and talent right there in your house…next year give some thought to making Thanksgiving a family project and it might be more fun for everyone!! Or you can go to Aunt Jan’s and enjoy her fabulous feast (I miss it so much)…I have been trying to replicate her artichoke casserole for years and I never quite get it right.
Whatever you do, I know it will be great and your feast will be delicious. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. You have so much to be thankful for. I so enjoy reading about your lovely life through this blog. Although it has its ups and downs like every life, your life has been so blessed and I am so happy for all of you.
love, Laura