topic Re: Parents Visiting for Christmas! in Kitchen

Parents Visiting for Christmas!

HonnyBrown — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 04:14:02 GMT

I am so excited! My Mom called me yesterday and told me that she and my Dad will be our guests for Christmas!

DH and I usually go to their house (2 hours away) but the plans were different this year.

Mom told me not to cook, but I have to show her that she trained me well:

Simple Roasted Turkey

Blueberry Balsamic Roasted Vegetables

Sauteed Kale with Garlic

Rolls or cornbread (Mom will disown me if I don't)

My Dad is on blood pressure medication, so the menu is with him in mind.

Any other low carb, low sodium suggestions? And Bacon Fatty-liscious will not be on the menu!

Re: Parents Visiting for Christmas!

AuntG — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 04:49:52 GMT

If mom told you not to cook, was she planning to take you out, or cook for you?

Re: Parents Visiting for Christmas!

Sakuya — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 04:58:48 GMT

How exciting! That's so fun that they will come to your house fo the holiday this year. What a treat it will be for them to have you cook a well thought out meal for everyone to enjoy.

Re: Parents Visiting for Christmas!

Kachina624 — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 09:13:20 GMT

Let the housecleaning begin!

Re: Parents Visiting for Christmas!

Kay SD — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 09:22:50 GMT

What fun for you! Your menu sounds scrummy-licious. Maybe you could add a simple salad for something fresh and crunchy? Butter lettuce and radicchio with a very light, lemony dressing, toasted sliced almonds on top, something like that? And, hey, a slice of crisp bacon crumbled wouldn't add much fat, but maybe a lot of good flavor if you are missing it.

Re: Parents Visiting for Christmas!

HonnyBrown — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 15:41:27 GMT

On 12/8/2014 AuntG said:
If mom told you not to cook, was she planning to take you out, or cook for you?

She's being a polite Southerner!

Re: Parents Visiting for Christmas!

HonnyBrown — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 15:43:13 GMT

On 12/8/2014 Sakuya said:
How exciting! That's so fun that they will come to your house fo the holiday this year. What a treat it will be for them to have you cook a well thought out meal for everyone to enjoy.

Thank you Sakuya! I'm going to go all out for them. I am so looking forward to this!!!!

Re: Parents Visiting for Christmas!

HonnyBrown — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 15:44:48 GMT

On 12/9/2014 Kachina624 said: Let the housecleaning begin!

White glove, spring cleaning in December.

Re: Parents Visiting for Christmas!

HonnyBrown — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 15:48:33 GMT

On 12/9/2014 Kay SD said:
What fun for you! Your menu sounds scrummy-licious. Maybe you could add a simple salad for something fresh and crunchy? Butter lettuce and radicchio with a very light, lemony dressing, toasted sliced almonds on top, something like that? And, hey, a slice of crisp bacon crumbled wouldn't add much fat, but maybe a lot of good flavor if you are missing it.

Kay, GMTA! I am going to add purple and green cabbage for color and crunch.

My Dad is a health nut, so the bacon will be out (sodium).

Re: Parents Visiting for Christmas!

Vamp — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 15:50:28 GMT

How wonderful for you! Your menu sounds delicious. Enjoy your time with your parents, and Merry Christmas!

Re: Parents Visiting for Christmas!

house_cat — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 15:53:10 GMT

Oh, how joyful! Enjoy spoiling them the way they spoiled you when you were a kid at Christmas!

Re: Parents Visiting for Christmas!

HonnyBrown — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 16:05:54 GMT

On 12/9/2014 Vamp said:
How wonderful for you! Your menu sounds delicious. Enjoy your time with your parents, and Merry Christmas!

Thanks Vamp! I'm going to try to talk them into staying that weekend. Then I can really go all out!!!

I have to look at some Christmas Decorating ideas.

Re: Parents Visiting for Christmas!

HonnyBrown — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 16:08:05 GMT

On 12/9/2014 house_cat said:
Oh, how joyful! Enjoy spoiling them the way they spoiled you when you were a kid at Christmas!

Exactly!

My Dad is easy. Last year, I got him a model space shuttle. My Mom said he invited his friends over to see it.

Mom isn't so easy. She doesn't want anything but appreciates everything.

Re: Parents Visiting for Christmas!

Eileen in Virginia — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 17:01:49 GMT

What were you planning for dessert? If you don't already have something, maybe an Edible Arrangement fruit dessert would work for your Dad. You could get some of the "flowers" dipped in chocolate and leave others plain. Most of my dessert recipes wouldn't really work for someone who has to watch their blood pressure. Good luck and enjoy their visit!

Re: Parents Visiting for Christmas!

Mominohio — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 17:12:29 GMT

I'm so excited for you! I love when family comes to my house, and while it can be a lot of work to prepare, I thoroughly enjoy the entire process, from cleaning to cooking, to spending time with them while they are here. It is all about having a plan, and it is never really 'work' when done with a cheerful heart.

I sense your excitement and joy. Have a wonderful time and treasure the moments together.

Re: Parents Visiting for Christmas!

LeaLeander — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 17:16:00 GMT

The Harry & David Royal Riviera pears are well-received and usually on sale this time of year -- might make a nice dessert; you could make a sauce for those who want it.

Re: Parents Visiting for Christmas!

HonnyBrown — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 19:29:39 GMT

Thanks everyone!

I think I am going to do a homemade applesauce and pick up a sweet potato pie for my Mom and husband. I'm not a dessert person.

Does Jell-O qualify as dessert?

Re: Parents Visiting for Christmas!

HonnyBrown — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 19:33:59 GMT

On 12/9/2014 mominohio said:
I'm so excited for you! I love when family comes to my house, and while it can be a lot of work to prepare, I thoroughly enjoy the entire process, from cleaning to cooking, to spending time with them while they are here. It is all about having a plan, and it is never really 'work' when done with a cheerful heart.

I sense your excitement and joy. Have a wonderful time and treasure the moments together.

Thanks mominoh! I am butterflies-in-the-stomach, floating-on-gossamer-wings excited!

I'm nowhere near as stressed out about Christmas as I was for Thanksgiving. And my parents have higher expectations! But since everything will be done with a loving, cheerful heart, how will it be work?

Re: Parents Visiting for Christmas!

Mama Mia — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 20:35:21 GMT

On 12/9/2014 HonnyBrown said:
Thanks everyone!

I think I am going to do a homemade applesauce and pick up a sweet potato pie for my Mom and husband. I'm not a dessert person.

Does Jell-O qualify as dessert?

Only if it's green and you live in Utah!

Re: Parents Visiting for Christmas!

Perkup — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 21:23:55 GMT

So happy for you HonnyBrown. My parents have been gone now for over over 40 years, but I still miss then - especially my Dad.

I was listening to some Phantom music last night - the part that says, "wishing I could hear your voice again - knowing that I never could" brings tears to my eyes. If you have a tape recorder, please bring it out and use it while your parents are there. How I wish I had a recording of mine. I'd give anything!!