Thursday, November 15, 2007

Turkey Day 1 Week Away


This will be my 5th Thanksgiving that I am hosting. I always feel suprised when I am a week away and don't have so much as a stalk of celery in the house to prepare for the big day.
It made me start thinking of the Thanksgivings of years past and some of the huge mistakes and small triumphs I have had over the years.


Mistake
: Year 1 I decided to do EVERYTHING myself. I delegated nothing. Not only that, I had a fresh turkey for the first time (those are bloody little suckers!) which proved to be very disturbing to my 3 year old who screamed everytime she came into the kitchen. So there I was the mother of 2 children (3 year old and 6 month old baby) cooking everything from appetizers to desserts for the big day. Result: I was so stressed out by the time dinner was served I couldn't do anything but drink wine and yell at my husband.


Mistake
: My first year in my neighborhood I challenged by bigger and much (much much more) athletic neighbors to a "friendly" football game after dinner. Result: Embarrassment and a lot of pain. At one point I remember one of the teenage boys on the other team (I think his name was Rodney Harrison-ha ha) looking down at me on the ground like I had just fallen out of my walker saying "are you ok, ma'am?" Perhaps trash talking them since September didn't help our cause either.


Mistake
: This year, taking on a new job at my company which will require me to work right up until Thursday. I have NO idea when I am going to get anything done. However, I have delegated a lot of the work to my dad who is a fabulous cook and retired.


I have no tips...well maybe one.... My mother in law is in charge of mashed potatoes and she always brings them in a crock pot to keep them warm. I have a small crock that I put my gravy in as well. I do make my own gravy still.
Oh and tip #2, don't start drinking heavily until after dinner.....
~T

5 comments:

Unknown said...

I'm glad you listed that last tip because this year will be the first year that I prepare a large part of the Thanksgiving dinner by myself!

Kris said...

Great tips, Trish! As you know, I have taken your crock pot advice and dusted mine off soon after you moved into the neighborhood.

Everything goes in it now!

Anonymous said...

LOL! Thanksgiving #1 sounded very Stressful! By now you are a pro- it should go very smooth :)

Don Mills Diva said...

I have always said that nothing says happy holidays like drinking wine and yelling at your husband!

Pam said...

I love your tips! I may have to try to crock pot ideas! We rotate who hosts Thanksgiving- I had it last year (while I was pregnant and had a 2 year old!)- I am so glad to not have it this year (with a 3 year old and a 7 month old). I would be freaking and stressing if I had to do dinner this year.