Planning a Thanksgiving Meal

Now that we are all stuffed like a 20-pound turkey, it's time to honor those who made the feast you indulged in today. This is my gift to those who spent hours planning, shopping, hauling, thawing, basting, baking, chopping, simmering, boiling, and serving. It's time to bring those who are blissfully unaware into the kitchen so to speak to see what it REALLY takes to put a Thanksgiving meal together. These are the email and facebook exchanges that took place over the last couple of weeks amongst me and my family members female family members.

November 16-24, 2011

Amy:

All of you turkeys are welcome to come to our house for the 2011 Unforgettable Thanksgiving Soiree.

If I remember right, Jessica works at 2:00 (?). How about eating at noon (which, thereby, will make it no longer a soiree)?

Now, for the food planning....

If you have an idea of what you'd like to bring, say so (reply to all). If you'd like the poultry party planners to sign you up for something, we can oblige.

Please note that Bud is included in the meal-planning process.

The way you get off the mailing list is by volunteering to make something for dinner. ;-)

Gobble Gobble!!

Robin:

Feeling festive already!!! Noon feed time sounds great. We have a smoked turkey we plan to bring. I'll wait to hear what others plan to bring to decide what else I should plan to fill in with. I'd be happy to make whatever...assign/request if you wish.

Debbie:

This is going to be great. Thinking about bringing sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, fruit, cake. What do you think?

Debbie:

Hello again. Dave thinks cake doesn’t go with Thanksgiving, so how does sweet potatoes, fruit tray, mashed potatoes and what ever else the turkey committee would want us to bring. Please let me know. Gobble, Gobble.

Bud:

He's an idiot. Go with the cake. You can tell him I said that.

PS... No stuffed animals ... Yes even turkeys.

Amy:

Does anyone have a different email address for Jessica? These are coming back to me.

I would love to make a pie (not necessarily in leiu of the cake). If Dad insists that you not bring it, I will make 2. But, the kids might like cake more than pie. ;-) I'll make something else too; not sure what yet.

Deb, that sounds great, why don't you just bring the whole meal? Just kidding! You don't have to do all of that; how about pick 2-3 out of the 4-5! Let us know what you decide.

Robin:

I will also bring a dressing to go with turkey. Bud - I won't stuff the turkey with it :)

Amy:

Ok, I think this is what we have so far:

Mom: Turkey and stuffing

Amy: 2 pies, Thoreson farm corn, cranberry sauce

Debbie: sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, cake????

Robin:

I'll bring gravy too.

Robin:

I know  Jessica worked 6pm-2am tonight so she will probably answer your message in the nightnow the address I gave you is the right one. She probably got it and forgot - I have experienced that with her before. Kisha...can't answer for her. I believe she is planning on bringing a ham...if Brandon picked up the voucher. I'll check with her because if she didn't I wonder if I need to get another turkey. The one I have is only 11 pounds I think.

Amy:

I do have another turkey; I'd need to take it out tonight.

Jessica:

okay my bad, i am just checking my email!!! sorry!! we can bring a relish tray and buns??? if there is something else let us know. Yes I work at 2:00, so 12:00 works great!!

Debbie:

ok here’s what I decided for us to bring. Sweet potatoes, 2 fruit bowels, cake. If there is something else you would like us to bring let me know. See all of you on turkey day!

Amy:

I didn't take out the turkey; at this point I think it's easier to buy one than try to thaw one out by tomorrow. I think they are 6.99 at Safeway. Debbie isn't bringing the smashed potatoes now so I'll do those too. If Kisha isn't bringing ham, maybe she could do a veggie/pasta salad (out of a box) and drinks for kids; and i might forget the corn in that case. Let me know what you find out (you said you were going to talk to her)?? Thanks!

Amy:

sounds like kisha is bringing ham, no worries

Robin:

Ok, just got these messages (last three) so all of this is just information at this late moment. Kisha is bringing a shrimp cocktail tray and crab dip with crackers. Dad and I are bringing the ham. You are probably planning on corn since you didn't hear back from me about what Kisha is bringing...and I didn't get your message about pasta salad. Corn sounds good to me. I'm relieved to know about the potatoes...I was kinda panicked about that one last night.

Amy:

These conversations would make a great blog. It's amazing what women go through to plan a Thanksgiving meal!

Robin:

No kidding! So much anxiety and heartburn its amazing we can sit down and eat whatever ends up on the table! I feel so much better now that the potatoes are covered. Dad has wrestled with the meat so I'm relaxing now...whew

Need I say more?

So, treat the woman in your house who endured emotional turmoil and went mad in the minutia in order to tantalize your taste buds today to a night on the couch with no responsibilities. And bring her wine. She needs it.---alg