I’m pretty sure someone in my extended family made the restaurant reservations since I got the time notice, so yes, we’re ready. There should be 20+ of us - not sure of the exact number this year.
Now the Saturday after Thanksgiving could be trickier. That’s when immediate family hopes to be at my mom’s to do our own turkey, stuffing, and family. Youngest can only drive up on the Friday before and must drive through the snow belt with very limited snow driving experience if it happens to be snowy. Middle has a med school exam the Monday afterward so must leave the Sunday afterward. Mom doesn’t plan on us buying the turkey until we get to her house this Sunday or Monday. (Will they be sold out? Will we have time to thaw it?) That one I’m crossing my fingers and saying prayers for because barring a miracle from a medical trial, it will be my mom’s last Thanksgiving so it’d be really nice to have that one day together. The weather is the biggest potential obstacle. We can figure out the rest.
I STILL do not know exactly what we are doing. My husband’s family are notorious late planners, and somehow they all think this is normal because it is what they all do. I have, over the years, gotten my husband to round up plans early, so I know that we (make that me) are cooking and taking dinner over to my mother in law’s who is bedridden, and some family will eat there. The problem is, now the nieces/nephews, who are adults with kids of their own, were raised in this “plan a couple of days before” mentality so THEY don’t know if they will be there or not yet! So I don’t have a final number, can’t shop, etc.etc.
It’s crazy to me, but I’ve trained my kids (and my husband) that this is NOT NORMAL and not a good way to plan holidays!
So, @Creekland , I have experience with buying turkeys late and they have never been sold out, but I have had problems getting the size I want. You can also do a quicker thaw in a large cooler of cold water if you don’t have time for the fridge thaw. Or if it’s late enough, buy fresh. I hope that your day works out. I dearly remember our last holidays with my parents, when we all knew it would be the last. Make sure to make time to just hang out and chat and let others do some work.
All that said, I would appreciate ideas for mashed potatoes that can travel. Those are one of the foods that are really yucky when cooled off, and we have to cook at my house and transport 20 min to my mother in laws. Maybe make ahead, put in a preheated crockpot and take them over that way? Also transferring the rolls has been tricky as they get cold and/or steamed and soggy.
Dinner is at my SIL’s house and it’s a pot luck. We will be ready for that aspect as always.
But from an emotional standpoint, no one in my family will be ready for Thanksgiving. It has become apparent through veiled CaringBridge posts and messages from my MIL that a family member is rapidly losing her battle with cancer and this will be the last time we see her. (We typically do not travel there over winter, but I suspect DH might try to go back one more time.) I started preparing the two youngest this weekend that she will not look like they remember her. The hardest part is that she is not ready to give up the fight (has even changed doctors to find one who will allow her to continue treatment at this point). So our goodbyes can only be in our hearts and not in our words.
We keep a list of the last 20 years of menus in our family cookbook. We also keep the shopping lists ( this is really helpful). Yesterday I had some time in the grocery store. So I bought the things which always run out ( horseradish, pumpkin pie filling and special crackers).
@My3Kiddos Sorry about your MIL’s health. It is so tough and add to that holidays and potential last goodbyes that can’t be said and it is rough. Take care. I hope she finds comfort from you call going there if your DH wants to
We are hosting for the first time in several years. The friend who usually hosted these is now flying to be with her daughter. We will have about 18-20 people at home for dinner - completely vegetarian. My kids will be home which will be nice - they usually take care of all the baking. We are signed up for turkey trot in the morning - so we decided to make this a dinner event rather than trying for early afternoon.
Not even remotely ready! At least it’ll be small: DH up for the holiday combined with his telework week, my mother who lives locally, and DS1 from a couple of hours away. DS1’s visit timing is up in the air since he’s in the process of changing jobs, but we’re all flexible. Need to start my shopping list, though, so thank you for starting this thread!
There will be 9 of us at my house including 2 vegetarians. I do have a turkey and a Field Roast “Celebration Roast” but need to plan the rest of the meal. And clean. And get ready for houseguests. I’m still recovering from D’s wedding a few weeks ago! I figure if there’s enough wine everyone will be happy!
Too early. Hosting our family and kids coming home from college, got it down to a manageable routine, been doing it forever, shopping and cleaning will start this weekend.
We host every year so it’s pretty much a system now. H is the main cook- he does the turkey, dressing and several sides. I do the pumpkin pies and corn casserole, friends bring apps, other sides and wine.
D, S , SIL and I run the Turkey Trot in the morning.
D1 is hosting again. We are going to have 9 people, not too many people. She is cooking the main meal and I am responsible coordinating everything else with guests. I asked D2 and her BF to bring cheese and pie(s). My mother/brother/2 other guests are bringing wines (we drink a lot of wines). I am responsible for appetizers (shrimps, olives, charcuterie, dips). No ex-H. Yes, I am ready and I am looking forward to it.
“Mom doesn’t plan on us buying the turkey until we get to her house this Sunday or Monday. (Will they be sold out? Will we have time to thaw it?)”
@Creekland Try giving a call to a butcher shop or the butcher department of the grocery store in your mom’s area. You can order and reserve a turkey in the size you want
"All that said, I would appreciate ideas for mashed potatoes that can travel. "
@TS0104 You can find recipes online for “Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes”. They’re really good because typically they are loaded with yummy stuff like cream cheese and sour cream which means they reheat better. In my extended family, they are preferred by many over regular mashed potatoes. Here is one recipe:
Oh no! Just looked at the calendar and realized that it’s next week. I don’t know why I thought it was the following. That means the grocery store will be packed this weekend. I better make a trip before the weekend.
I guess I’m not ready for it but I’m not going to worry about it. It’s too soon for Thanksgiving! Is it just me but the holidays sure seem to come sooner each year. It’s just been busy lately and I haven’t been paying attention.
D1 is coming home Saturday night, but I asked her to provide grocery list items ahead of time (she is making the pie ) so I can hit the store early on Saturday and be done, except possibly an early pass through Whole Foods on Wed for hericots verts.
) so I can hit the store early on Saturday and be done, except possibly an early pass through Whole Foods on Wed for hericots verts.