Stressing over Thanksgiving, anyone else?

[Marty]

You don't know who my mother was, but she was a chef and ran a very exclusive catering business in Westport Connectict catering parties for the rich and famous. Sound familar? Yes, that is where Martha Stewart lives and where she began doing the same thing my mother did only many years after of course. She knew Paul Newman and Ronald Regan on the first name basis and many others. So I am supposed to know some social graces and how to do a dinner party and be able to cook like she could ? Not hardly; not even close. I use the excuse that I was only a kid at the time....I knew how to cook two things: hot dogs and toast.

I over hauled the house today cleaining in preparation for Thanksgiving Day. Besides the regular cleaning, dishes, laundry, floors, etc. I did windows ugh, cleaned the oven, double ugh, defrosted the freezer, cleaned out the refriderator, washed the woodwork, washed curtains, floors, washed kitchen cabinets, moved all the furniture to get under them and even did corner cooties. Everything is done but the bathroom and that is one dangerous place......The boys helped with everything and we are all exhausted. They even cleaned the bird cages.

Sunday we will finish the outside lights and decorations and also will be helping insullate the barn and build barn doors. It's supposed to rain.

My problem is that we have a lot of people coming for Thanksiving Day that are very unexpected. Jerry works with two young men, both going through divorces, can't have their kids that day and had no other family and no where to go. So, he invited them here. I don't know them but I will soon! My step-son is coming from Ohio with his little boy who is also going through a divorce.

The boys have thier friends, a young couple that basically lives here most of the time too, and won't go home half the time anyway, and they

have no other family so they invited them.

Now comes yet another boy that has been raising himself since he was 15, now 18 and yup, he has no family either so the boys invited this young man, but I don't know if he'll show up. And oh, the boy's girlfriends will come sometime after dinner from their houses.

This is a lot of people for me! Not used to it but getting very excited over it. Anxious is a better word. Troubled because my house is so tiny and my table only seats 4! If this was summer, no problem, picnic tables to the rescue. I guess we are going to have to drag out the card table and tv trays, I just don't know what is going to happen and where to put all these people but I'm going to make a ton of food that's for sure. I always make more than enough anyway.

Glad Dan likes to help me in the kichen. He remembers more about cooking from mother's teachings than I do. He'll help make anything and we just finished working on the menu and huge shopping list. He always cleans out the turkey because he has a very strange fixation on guts and innerds and wants to be a C.S.I. I'm sure Michael will provide the entertainment as a stand up comedian and do his impressions.

I told the boys they are going to dress nicely for Thanksgiving Day too and not wear their jeans hanging down their cracks as Future Plumbers of America. I think I'm going to shock Jerry and dress up myself and wear a long dress. Why not? Let's celebrate the season and do it up right. I want to do Mother proud. I have visions of her having the place hit by lightening if I screw up this year's Thanksgiving Day feast. I hope everyone enjoys and has a good time.

 

[lyn_j]

[SIZE=14pt]Only 22 coming for here.[/SIZE]

Lyn

 

[Voodoo]

Marty it sounds like fun. I'm sure you'll do great, you always manage to pull it off. We never do too much for Thanksgiving, just the four of us, but it's still fun and lots of good food.

 

[Littleum]

Ah, Marty, be grateful you're having a holiday at all- even if it will be swarming anthill of people.

It will just be David and I this year... our families live on the East coast, and non-negotiable job obligations leave us shackled to crummy Mesquite this year. We have not had an oppurtunity to make any real friends since our move here, so no friends to invite over (or be invited to) for the day. So it'll just be us and Kitty, and no one else. No point in doing anything special.

It does make me sad that we have no one to share the holiday with. Doubly sad, I suppose, because we don't have anyone to share Christmas with either. The holiday season this year for us is just going to be a non-event, and that honestly makes me sad.

Although I DO plan on making Catch Me wear a santa hat with a bell and posing for photos come Christmas. Every year one of my horses has to dress up in a Santa hat, and this year it's his turn.

 

[Marty]

It does make me sad that we have no one to share the holiday with. Doubly sad, I suppose, because we don't have anyone to share Christmas with either. The holiday season this year for us is just going to be a non-event, and that honestly makes me sad.

Well I sure wish you would come and join us dispite my card table.

This was us too! With my parent's and brother gone we are here alone with no real close friends and no family I bawled my brains out just thinking about the holidays for years and years. One year we did get the step-son and his family and that was wonderful, but since then, no one and I dreaded the holidays not having a lot of people and fun and merriment. I'm sure we will be alone on Christmas but maybe if this goes good, they'll come back, or you'll show up!.

 

[MiniHGal]

Ah Marty I'm sure it'll be great! And tell those boys of yours to pull up their pants and dress nicely!! hehe

Thanksgiving is exciting for me too....I get to go home from college! Haven't gone home since Sept. 27th....yikes! I'm sure the horses are hairy fuzzballs by now...I plan on spending quality time with all of them. I get to see all of my friends and family too!! And then we all go over to the house one of the BEST cooks I know...and eat food!

 

[wcr]

Marty, it sounds wonderful to have a house full of orphans for Thanksgiving. That is the one holiday that means something to people but is always open to invite others in without making anyone uncomfortable (such as Xmas). Just put a big sign on the door where people can't miss it that says Martha Stewart doesn't live here. That should let you off the hook.

Littleum-The holiday is yours to make or break. Make your own new traditions or call a local church and see if anyone that doesn't have family would like to join you.

For myself I have started my own tradition a few years ago. I go to Sandy's(Sedeh), let her do all the work, eat her food and try not to kill her husband. After dinner I whop their fannies in cards until they kick me out. I have such fond memories of Thanksgiving now.....

 

[Jenn]

Oh, Marty, you'll do fine. It's great that you have people coming over - we rarely entertain and I really miss it! I've been doing the cooking for my mom's dinner parties since I was a teenager and I miss cooking for 20+ people.

I'm trying to start a new tradition in my husband's family this year by throwing a Christmas Day brunch and having everyone out. The kids can run around outdoors all they want and visit the critters and get rides on the snowmobiles and quads. Way more fun than having to stay in town all day!

 

[rabbitsfizz]

Marty do not even try to seat them- do a Buffet, and push all the chairs to the side and have chairs all over the place- the kids can sit on the floor- just put out plates and knives and forks wrapped in paper napkins. Throw a few cushions on the floor etc. OR You could come over here and clean my house and I will go up there and cater the whole thing- should be interesting to say the least as I have never done a Thanksgiving Dinner in my life- but, I can cook and I'm a quick study. What I do NOT do is cleaning, so the house is a mess!!

 

[ChrystalPaths]

Marty, first I cook with wine. I'm in the kitchen cooking I have a litle wine!

I came from a huge family. Holidays could be 10 to 30. We always did the buffet thing! Pretty holiday paper/foam ware, cups, etc. Folks could care where they sit. They've come for your good company and food! Realx and just be you and the day will be flawless.

 

[bfogg]

Marty,

I have a little sign on the dining room wall it reads,

"so its not home sweet home ADJUST!"

saysit all for me.

We are going to be alone this year as well, just Larry and I and it seems so weird

having 12 brothers and sisters holidays were noisy with all kinds of stuff going on.

Now it just doesn't seem worth bothering with.

Of course will do the whole turkey thing but its not the same after the kids grow up and leave the area.

But we sure are looking forward to Christmas in New Mexico!!!!!!! Wahoo

Have a nice turkey day everyone!!!

Hugs,

Bonnie

 

[DunPainted]

Hey Marty......Ms. UNMARTHA here!

Having stressed out for many years I've come to some conclusions:

1. CLEAN the house AFTER THE GUESTS LEAVE (why do housework twice).

2. Have a bottle of wine open and ingredients for food set out. People like to help.

3. If guests refuse to assist, you still have the bottle of wine that'll be glad to help.

4. Paper plates are good. They're great kindling for the after-dinner bonfire.

5. Plastic flatware doesn't melt in the dishwasher.

6. Remember, the average American household DOES NOT eat in a dining room!

 

[Leihala]

Hey Marty - you will do just fine.

I sure wish you were in my neck of the woods in Calif. I head the Community Thanksgiving. We could have so much fun decorating the hall and serving about 700 dinners, buffet style.

We are lucky to have two chefs doing the actual cooking, and volunteers doing the food prep. My truck has turned into a chuck wagon hauling food to be prepared hither and yon. This is my ninth year of doing this, one would think it was old hat by know, but coordinating volunteers is always a challenge. We do a more formal affair with real china, utensils, linen table cloths and all the food is from scratch. The Community loves the occassion. The next weekend the tree in the Park has to be decorated so we can have the tree lighting. Then we need to welcome Santa with a fly-in and parade through town. Then we do the Angel Project for the needy so they can have a wonderful Christmas. When Christmas comes, I crawl back into my shell with my adorable minis and of course Peakaboo.

Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving and special hugs to Timmy.

Sherrie

 

[RainSong]

You want to know the truth? I hate the holidays right now. Last year I became hugely depressed a week or two before Thanksgiving, and it just got worse afterwards. I was so bad that I'd see Christmas decor, and have fantasies of tearing it all apart and busting everything.

This from someone who LOVES the lights, the decor, the decorating, etc. It's because we're alone out here- and my holidays were spent with my family until we moved. I'm used to the warmth and joy and a house crammed full of those closest to us... not just two (now three) people who could barely even afford gifts... we did, at least, manage to afford a tree and some simple trimmings that first year, and we added a few more lights and all last year. We actually have enough lights for me to decorate more than just the tree this year LOL

I think that if I weren't on my "magic pills" (ie, the antidepressant for my bi-polar/post partum depression), I'd be as bad as last year.

But, we'll still have a turkey, potatoes, stuffing, and pie... I'll still miss having all those people around. It's just not the same- the last few Thanksgivings and Chistmases (sp?) have seemed a little cold and empty.

We do have Nathan now. He's not old enough to remember, or to even really know what's going on, but I know he's going to love the lights

And I already have a gift for him and another for Dave, too!

Sorry for the ramble- I had to get it all out somewhere.

 

[Kathy2m]

Marty, if you want to seat everyone (we always had a large crew and had to do it up to the nines, linens, china, crystal) we used 2 hollow core doors and banquet table legs that you can buy at Lowe's or home depot. attach the to the doors, instant tables and when your are done they fold up for easy storage. I'm sure you'll do great.... Kathy

 

[DunPainted]

Rainsong:

I truly understand your feelings, as my family is on the West Coast and husband's is in Europe. Thus, it's the three of us. At first, the holidays felt "empty" (our son was 7 months old when we moved to America)....but then came to realize that it's not so bad. Think about it. You can stay in your jammies all day and have dinner the same way......trust me, guys don't care! There's no need to reach for a bottle of wine to get you through a day with that ONE obnoxious relative that everyone wants to throttle.

We've made friends through the years who invite us to their festivities. However, the three of us look forward to hanging around at home, without the worries and grumbles folks express both before and after "the event".

Yes, I used to feel like someone was tailgating me to get into "the spirit" when the Christmas decorations were brought out in the stores. What I've found is that "Mr. Last Minute" comes to visit and I get excited a couple days before.

What makes our Christmas special is getting out the tree ornaments, unwrapping them from tissue paper and relive the memories of the time we bought them. Yep, we have a fake tree with lights......but that's what the guys wanted because they hate the mess.

So, relax and shop "on-line" and save gas. Besides, you can shop in your jammies!

Take care of yourself,

Cindy

 

[DunPainted]

 

[runamuk]

I truly wish I had people coming

it's just us myself hubby and the boys.......I love cooking for family not big on the cleaning part we tend to sweep and clean the bathrooms for guests and so far have never had a complaint.....my family knows we have our critters and well heck I have a pig living in my house

you'll do fine your mom will be proud.......just try to remember it is about being with family/friends not putting on a show

 

[Marty]

Well guess what RainSong, I spent a lot of hours yestarday crying like a baby because my family has passed and all this is reminding me of what it used to be like. I have had two backouts today, my step son from Ohio and one of the men Jerry invited won't be coming now but I'm still making tons of food.

Mother loved her wine and whiskey sours while preparing dinner. Every day at 5:00 the Church Bells would go off and she'd say "Jesus says it's time now....." and blub blub, there she'd go with my Aunt May and my Daddy just chugging them down and then they would go through the whole thing of having to toast everything and everyone with every sip. What a bunch of silly grownups I used to say. But sorry, no liquor in my house of any nature period. We use sprite and non-alcoholic beverages to celebrate and I make a mean Shirley Temple.

There is no way I can use paper plates or paper anything. One year when I did Thanksgiving at my house in Florida I used a paper tablecloth. Well, you can only imagine my mother's reaction. She ripped it off and went running next door to her house and replaced it with one of her cloth ones and was thoroughly disgusted with me especially since I tried to serve the pies on paper plates. Heck they had turkeys on them! No, the good china is coming out of the china cabinet and will be used with the good silverware and waterford crystal. If I don't, she'll be putting the whammy on me from heaven and I do not want that. I know they will all be right here watching me too so I can't put anything over on any of them.

 

[RainSong]

It may sound wrong, but I'm actually glad to know I'm not the only one who gets a bit upset around the holidays.

Oh Marty, that's just too funny. My family was always relaxed about Holiday feasts- we have the same feast for Thanksgiving and Christmas. We never used fine china or silverware, but we always hauled out the odd assortment of platters plates, etc that rarely got used otherwise.

We (hubby and I) don't have china, or anything but cheap silverware. But all those years of "nothing fancy" sorta ingrained a sense of "it's not the settings, it's the sitters", if that makes sense.

Dave gets cranky around Christmas- the commercialism annoys him. But heck, he's cranky half the time anyways. One of these days I'm just gonna grouch back at him and shut him up LOL I think it's all going to be different now, because of Nathan. Last year we didn't even get the tree up until Christmas eve, but Dave said we could set it up right after Thanksgiving

I told him we'd wait till at least the first week of December.

I think my mom is actually surprised. Her youngest has changed alot in the last 3 years... and alot more in the last three months. Even I'm surprised by what Nathan's changed in me- and I still don't know it all.

Wise I could come be part of your feast, Marty- it sounds amazing, and so fancy that I'd be terrifed of "messing up"

I think you'll do wonderfully... and your boys (I feel odd refering to them that way when they aren't too much younger than I am) will remember it. Maybe not the details, but the warmth, love, and joy will never be forgotten.

Even if it did involve paper plates

BTW, there's almost never any alcohol in our house either. I can't stand any of the stuff, and Dave's drinking days are pretty much over. It's soda pop, water, coffee, etc for us.

You guys all make me smile