Thanksgiving is coming, and........ - Page 6

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

When I think of Thanksgiving I remember running around in a hot kitchen all morning, carving the turkey in a hurry and sweating, then washing and drying dishes all afternoon--later on me and hubby.

My mother would NOT hear to doing what is sensible and what @SouthernBee is talking about--making things ahead and freezing them. No reason at all not to and nobody would know. So it was always a hot rushed mad kitchen of chaos every year and it got old.

As people died off, mother still wanted to do the full deal and since she was a lot older it was us taking food on along road trip. So I'm fine with two happy relaxed people eating something they enjoy having. No turkey to 'rassle with, gravy to stir, or pile of dishes to deal with. Not so bad!

SouthernBee · ‎09-16-2010

@Sooner wrote:
When I think of Thanksgiving I remember running around in a hot kitchen all morning, carving the turkey in a hurry and sweating, then washing and drying dishes all afternoon--later on me and hubby.

My mother would NOT hear to doing what is sensible and what @SouthernBee is talking about--making things ahead and freezing them. No reason at all not to and nobody would know. So it was always a hot rushed mad kitchen of chaos every year and it got old.

As people died off, mother still wanted to do the full deal and since she was a lot older it was us taking food on along road trip. So I'm fine with two happy relaxed people eating something they enjoy having. No turkey to 'rassle with, gravy to stir, or pile of dishes to deal with. Not so bad!

@Sooner : Totally agree. I told my husband: Please explain why - If I am supposed to be retired that I do all the work? Time for you and everybody to accept my choices or you do all the cooking and cleaning or go out to eat.

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

@Trailrun23 I am very proud of you! Tell grandson your next turkey dinner will be at his house, and you would rather he roast the whole turkey but you will settle for a turkey breast and 3 pies.

Tell him to look up "retired" in the dictionary.

SouthernBee · ‎09-16-2010

@Trailrun23 wrote:
Too much sodium in the pkgs of mashed potatoes and jarred gravy. I usually just do sweet potatoes at Thanksgiving. Just found out that all our kids will be in Mexico, Florida, or Michigan for Thanksgiving so it will be the two of us. DH wants me to still roast a turkey breast like I usually do but haven't been able to find one yet. Many places have signs up saying they wont be available. One of the grandsons want me to make complete Thanksgiving meal so they can have it when they get back a week after Thanksgiving from their beach vacation. Not doing it since they will be gone and don't care we will not have the pleasure of their company on Thanksgiving. I think expecting me to do all that cooking at their convenience is a bit much.

@Trailrun23 : You tell them and don't give in. Yes, them expecting you to do all the cooking at their convenience is a bit much.

vermint · ‎04-05-2010

DH & I hosted his family at Thanksgiving for a number of years after his dad died, and his mom just didn't want to do it anymore. We would have up to 25 for Thanksgiving dinner. It was a lot of fun...and a lot of work! We would do the turkey & dressing, everybody else would bring sides and desserts. My SIL's all helped with cleanup--when everybody was gone, the only thing left for me to do was wash the tablecloths, seriously! Even with all the help, I would be exhausted.

Now, it's just the two of us (we don't have children), and honestly, we enjoy that, too. No stress, no question of timing, we cook a smaller version of the traditional dinner and eat when we want. We do miss the "old days" sometimes, but things change and we've adapted. A nice, peaceful dinner for us and we give thanks for that!

BoopOMatic · ‎06-08-2021

bikerbabe · ‎03-09-2010

I’m working again as usual. We have a potluck at work that night and usually a horrible menu offered in the cafeteria. 🫣

lynnie61 · ‎04-28-2010

@Jacie Sadly, so many families still expect mom to cook. So many friends with moms in their 80’s. Crazy. My mom passed at 59, and my sister usually hosts but we have a small family for dinner, maybe 8 total, but she makes the turkey and stuffing, and we bring/make the rest. Last two years everyone stayed home because of Covid. We were happy just the two of us at home with wings, salad and pie last year.

The younger generation needs to step up. We had Christmas Eve at dads last year. Sandwiches, appetizers and cookies. He always hosted a houseful of friends and neighbors. (Around 25!) I think those days are over. I’m content with our small family of six being together Christmas Eve. Dad, his lady friend, sister, BIL, me and SO. It one of my favorite days of the year for me. The best memories ever.

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

We always opened gifts and had ham sandwiches on Christmas Eve when my family was alive. That was the most fun time. We got to have potato chips and French onion dip and I remember one year 5 pies and a cake.

My mom named off all the pies and said "But we have to eat the banana pie" which nobody wanted but she made us eat it because the bananas would get bad. But she said we could have whatever we wanted after we opened packages.

My aunt and uncle were always there and when we'd go in to open gifts I would hear my dad slip three small cokes in the freezer and he would pull them out all slushy when aunt and uncle went home! LOL!!!!

They were SOOO good. He had to make it four cokes when husband joined the group! It was a special time to relax and our little secret treat.

If you are old like me, do you always miss Johnny Carson and the gang during the holidays?