Thanksgiving Whine

Phew. That's over. I know. I said I love Thanksgiving. I do. It's my favorite... but there was a big black cloud over it this year. First, we cooked on Sunday instead of Thursday. Sorry, babe, I know you have to work, but Thanksgiving is Thursday. Then, while his brothers showed up, one was falling asleep tired, and the other pissed B off in some way.

We used to have to stretch the table into the living room - all 3 leaves - and cram 20 people around the table and a "kid's" table tucked in the corner. B and I used to stay up 'til 2 am baking pies - 8+ apple, pumpkin and his specialty, Innkeeper. (he used to work at a country inn, doing everything from baking to bartending to raking leaves if necessary - he once carved over 20 turkeys for their Thanksgiving. When my Grandfather found out about that, he handed over the carving knife and discovered what a Thanksgiving meal tasted like when hot!) I'd be back up at 6 to make stuffing and put in a 22+ lb bird done in the 1997 Martha Stewart method covering the bird with a butter and wine soaked cheesecloth, rotating and basting every half hour. My grandparents would show up with shrimp and we'd all attack it like vultures while the rest of dinner cooked.

Alas, my grandparents have died, we moved, my Dad's wife has a job where she doesn't get Friday off, so we have a different group coming, and this group sees us as secondary, rather than the primary Thanksgiving meal. Sigh. The prep, cleaning and cooking just doesn't seem worth it... I'd like to host for folks who appreciate it... maybe next year.