NOTICE: Thanksgiving Dinner

[NRiceDesigns]

Greetings All,

For those of you who are coming to my place for Thanksgiving dinner, Martha Stewart ain't gonna be here! I'm telling you in advance, so don't act surprised. Since Ms. Stewart won't be coming, I've made a few small changes:

Our sidewalk will NOT be lined with homemade, paper bag luminaries. After a trial run, it was decided that no matter how cleverly done, rows of flaming lunch sacks do not have the desired welcoming effect.

Once inside, our guests will note that the entry hall is not decorated with the swags of Indian corn and fall foliage I had planned to make. Instead, I've gotten the kids involved in decorating by having them track in colorful autumn leaves from the front yard. The mud was their idea.

The dining table will NOT be covered with expensive linens, fancy china,or crystal goblets. If possible, we will use dishes that match and everyone will get a fork. Since this IS Thanksgiving, we will refrain from using the plastic Peter Rabbit plate and the Santa napkins from last Christmas.

Our centerpiece will not be the tower of fresh fruit and flowers that I promised. Instead we will be displaying a hedgehog-like decoration hand-crafted from the finest construction paper. The children assure me it is a turkey.

We will be dining fashionably late. The children will entertain you while you wait. I'm sure they will be happy to share every choice comment I have made regarding Thanksgiving, Pilgrims, and the turkey hot line. Please remember that most of these comments were made at 5:00 a.m. upon discovering that the turkey was still hard enough to cut diamonds.

As accompaniment to the children's recital, I will play a recording of tribal drumming. If the children should mention that I don't own a recording of tribal drumming, or that tribal drumming sounds suspiciously like a frozen turkey in a clothes dryer, ignore them. They are lying.

We toyed with the idea of ringing a dainty silver bell to announce the start of our feast. In the end, we chose to keep our traditional method.

We've also decided against a formal seating arrangement. When the smoke alarm sounds, please gather around the table and sit where you like.

In the spirit of harmony, we will ask the children to sit at a separate table. .....in a separate room......next door.

Now, I know you have all seen pictures of one person carving a turkey in front of a crowd of appreciative onlookers. This will not be happening at our dinner.

For safety reasons, the turkey will be carved in a private ceremony. I stress "private" meaning: Do not, under any circumstances, enter the kitchen to laugh at me. Do not send small, unsuspecting children to check on my progress. I have an electric knife.

The turkey is unarmed. It stands to reason that I will eventually win. When I do, we will eat.

I would like to take this opportunity to remind my young diners that "passing the rolls" is not a football play. Nor is it a request to bean your sister in the head with warm tasty bread.

Before I forget, there is one last change. Instead of offering a choice between 12 different scrumptious desserts, we will be serving the traditional pumpkin pie, garnished with whipped cream and small fingerprints. You will still have a choice; take it or leave it.

Martha Stewart will NOT be dining with us this year. Next year is not looking good either.

HAPPY [EARLY] THANKSGIVING :D

[Wendy]

Hi Nita ...

Just wanted to say thank you for the best laugh I have had in months ... :D :D ... sounds like its going to be fun ..


Wendy

[LeeOtsubo]

I regret to inform you that my wife and I must politely decline your invitation to join you and your 10,000 closest friends for Thanksgiving dinner.

We awoke this past weekend, downed some "stupid pills" and proceeded to buy an RV. We will, therefore, in an effort to justify such purchase, be spending our Thanksgiving at the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge near Santa Maria, CA, freezing our behinds as we struggle to learn how to operate the propane heater.

If no one has heard from me in 2 weeks, please notify the local ranger station.:D

[Ward Grant]

A very clever post that bought a smile to my face.

Lee-having moved away from my family for a reason, I think the idea of Thanksgiving in an RV in a national park is great idea. Hope you enjoy the camper.

[tfry]

That was great!

[NMarti]

Thanks for a great laught Nita!

Lee - don't forget to take your turkey burgers to cook over the open fire in case you don't get the propane started!:D

[AngelicKim]

I can't stop laughing. My husband and the dogs are looking at me like I have totally gone off the deep end.:D Thanks Nita, after disturbing news yesterday I needed that.

[kimh]

Thanks for the laugh:D
I too choose the RV. Thanksgiving is the only holiday I have off this year and it will be to clean, entertain and cook. It will be fine though, I'll start off with a bloody mary and all will work out.
Kimh

[virgo1]

Nita,
That was great. As much as we'd like to join you and your guests, we're going to my sisters in Minnesota. The Mall of America is just up the road from Cannon Falls, ya hey. And Ikea across from it. Uff da!:D
Eva;)

[LeeOtsubo]

Ward: What part of Dallas? I did my undergrad and most of my grad program at UTD.

Nancy: My wife is most experienced at making reservations. We ain't burnin' no steenkin' burgers over a fire! BTW, next Webcast demo 11/30, let me know if you want a seat.

[nkeevers]

Nita, LOL!!! Sounds appealing but my bro is coming for Thanksgiving!:D :D

[kimi_boo]

Sounds wonderful, can't wait!:D

[Tom K]

Nita I seem to have lost the directions to your house, so maybe next year.
Respectfully yours.... Tom :p

[baderms]

I love it... By the way what time is dinner??? My wife is flying to Washington to see her dad who was just admitted to the hospital (he just got out friday), so Thanksgiving here has been canceled as my son is to picky to eat anything and my daughter won't eat meat. :confused:

[AngelicKim]

Mark, glad to hear my son isn't the only picky eater who will miss out on Thanksgiving. We are driving to Ohio and I have to buy hot dogs when I get there to take to my brothers so Chance will have something to eat besides pumpkin pie.:eek: :D

[Wags374]

I love it... By the way what time is dinner??? My wife is flying to Washington to see her dad who was just admitted to the hospital (he just got out friday), so Thanksgiving here has been canceled as my son is to picky to eat anything and my daughter won't eat meat. :confused:


You (or your duaghter) could make this for thanksgiving - its what my family has every year. (I'm a 3rd generation veggie)

Holiday Casserole
2 small cans of FriChik, diced (or any veggie chicken/turkey substitute)
2 eggs beaten
3/4 cup of stock (juice) in FriChik can
1 1/2 cups dressing cubes (or samll seasoned croutons)
1 cup cooked brown rice
1/2 cupped celery
1/2 onion or a small onion diced
1 tbsp oil
Salt & sage to taste

Sauté onion and celery. Mix ingredients together and place in a greased casserole dish. Bake at 350 for 1 hour. Serve with Golden Gravy.

Golden Gravy
3 tbsp oil
3 tbsp flour
2 1/2 cups water
2 tablespoons McKay’s “chicken style” seasoning
1/2 cup sliced canned mushrooms

Heat oil, add flour and brown until just toasty. Add liquid. Stir until smooth, then add seasonings and mushrooms.

[baderms]

Thanks for the recipie Jane... It was a nice thought. The problem is that my daughter is the pickiest vegetarian you ever saw. Won't do eggs, hates onions, doesn't like mushrooms or stuffing. I think we're having mashed potatoes, green beans with roasted garlic, green salad and maybe a turkey cutlet for me.

[Valerie]

Depending on where in the states you live, I can make it in 21 hours (none stop to Florida once), I'll bring my own plate. Can't wait...sounds just our Thanksgiving (October) dinners up at the cottage. Oh.....only one problem...I don't have a passport yet. Sorry, maybe next November

[Ward Grant]

Ward: What part of Dallas? I did my undergrad and most of my grad program at UTD.

NorthPark Mall area, near Northwest Highway and Central. I know this means little to non-Dallas residents. I am sure the views in San Diego are much better than the brown, flat land around Dallas (If you've seen a pancake, you seen central Texas).

[LeeOtsubo]

NorthPark Mall area, near Northwest Highway and Central. I know this means little to non-Dallas residents. I am sure the views in San Diego are much better than the brown, flat land around Dallas (If you've seen a pancake, you seen central Texas).

I remember Northpark but I don't recall a Northpark Mall. I was in the 2nd graduating class at UTD so you can imagine how long ago that was! I lived in Richardson, near TI.

Dallas is a great town but nothing beats Austin for that laid-back college town feel. (I hope it still retains that ambiance) Also, the weather in Dallas was a bit extreme for me. Too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter. Of course, it's been pretty extreme in San Diego lately. Yesterday it was freezing (~70F) and today, it's been broiling (~80F). (Sorry, just had to do that for the benefit of our friends up north. :D)

[Robyn]

Nita.........

Because of geographical differences, I am unable to attend. Next year please ensure that I have more notice so I can make my travel arrangements in advance! :D :D

[Llist]

Nita

Are you sure you didn't attend my Thanksgiving last year? It sounds eerily familiar. Unfortunately I will have to decline the invitation. The MIL is having everyone over to her new house this year... At least my house isn't going to be the one that's trashed this year :D

Laura

[NMarti]

Nancy: My wife is most experienced at making reservations.


Lee - when discussing who is cooking dinner and it's decided it's my night my hubby tells my daughter to get my cooking utensil - upon which my daughter hands me the phone!:rolleyes: :D :D

[GaryK]

Nita

Thanks for the laugh.. That's how it should be (except for maybe the roll passing:D )

I'm on my way.. we had ours a month or so ago, so I can do another.:)



Valerie: pick me up on the way by and we can tag team the drive.:D

[cad4men]

Ward,
I work at the intersection of Park Lane and 75, SouthEast corner across from the strip center. Ride the Dart to work, many times per week. We use Photoshop, Microstation, Autocad & 3DMax in our daily business.

The Lionel train setup should be proceeding at the Mall, quite soon. Do you visit that?

Dallas is flat, you are correct. I can stand on my porch in Allen and see the coast. Well, almost. :)

[pixlbandit]

We awoke this past weekend, downed some "stupid pills" and proceeded to buy an RV. We will, therefore, in an effort to justify such purchase, be spending our Thanksgiving at the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge near Santa Maria, CA, freezing our behinds as we struggle to learn how to operate the propane heater.

:D

Lee, if you and your wife take me with you I'll show you how to work the heater. I lived in one of those things for about 3 years. You can pick me up on the way--I'm in Orange County, CA right off the 405 freeway--you'll be back on in less than 5 minutes. I got my own sleepin' bag, blow up mattress and credit card too--not to mention that I have experience with dumping the black water and gray water tanks... You all don't think I am too forward do you??? :)
Vicki

[Valerie]

No problem Gary....just realized I don't need the passport till next year.... don't pack to much...need to bring back a stock of booze for xmas and we know it's a lot cheaper in the states.

[LeeOtsubo]

Lee, if you and your wife take me with you I'll show you how to work the heater. I lived in one of those things for about 3 years. You can pick me up on the way--I'm in Orange County, CA right off the 405 freeway--you'll be back on in less than 5 minutes. I got my own sleepin' bag, blow up mattress and credit card too--not to mention that I have experience with dumping the black water and gray water tanks... You all don't think I am too forward do you??? :)
Vicki

Not to worry, I've got it all figured out. Black water - isn't that for making coffee? And gray water is for the shower. If I can't get the propane heater going, I'll just light a fire in the fireplace. I think there's a fireplace in the family room or was that the upstairs game room? :confused:

So, you were a full timer for 3 years? If things go well with this little 24 footer, I'm thinking of convincing my wife to try full timing for a few years while we tour the country, supporting ourselves through photography workshops.

One of the reasons I bought the RV was so I could go to places like Bolsa Chica Preserve in OC, shoot early in the morning and still be able to get some work done without killing hours on the freeway.

[NRiceDesigns]

[quote=Wags374;179755](I'm a 3rd generation veggie)/quote]

Hey Jane.. thanks for the recipe. I'm an on-again-off-again vegetarian. My sister has been vegan for about 6 yrs. The first year she wanted to fix dinner we had Tofurky breast (nastyyyyy, although I love their Tofurky sandwich slices). Now she uses frozen cutlets that I'd swear taste like the real thing. The rest of us the family bring turkey and/or ham. I still require meat twice a year - Thanksgiving & Christmas. ;)

[NRiceDesigns]

we're going to my sisters in Minnesota.
Eva;)

We used to summer in MN (my aunt lived in Bemidji... BRRRRR). Change of plans... Eva, I'll meet you at the Mall of America (who wants to eat when they can shop?), then Lee & his wife will be picking me up for a wild RV trip. (only one request Lee... I don't like to get dirty, so we'll have to stay away from anywhere with dust or insects. You might have to rethink the Preserve & just head towards coastal waters. :D )

Oh, one more thing... I'll be bringing my only child, Chloe. (see avatar). We'll take the bed. Thanks in advance for offering to sleep in the driver's seat.

[Punkinsmom]

I have tears rolling down my cheeks from laughing so hard!
I too, regret to inform you I won't be able to attend, I'll be busy cooking! and alas, without Martha's help.

[LeeOtsubo]

... then Lee & his wife will be picking me up for a wild RV trip. (only one request Lee... I don't like to get dirty, so we'll have to stay away from anywhere with dust or insects. You might have to rethink the Preserve & just head towards coastal waters. :D )

Oh, one more thing... I'll be bringing my only child, Chloe. (see avatar). We'll take the bed. Thanks in advance for offering to sleep in the driver's seat.

The RV is going to be a bit crowded with my wife, me, Pixelbandit, you and Chloe. I'm beginning to think an RV might be the same as a house in San Diego when it comes to visitors. I was amazed at the number of friends and family who suddenly decided to visit California once I moved here. I'd get calls like, "We're attending a wedding in Moosecrotch, Montana and we thought we'd just drop by San Diego." Huh?!? :D

BTW, the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Preserve is right on the coast. I'm hoping to photograph some migratory birds. That's why it's gonna be cold enough to freeze _____ (use your imagination). Photographing birds means crawling around in the sand and mud, trying to appear like a sleeping walrus. :D

[GaryK]

Valerie

I can understand your concern.. I know how us guys tend to overpack.:D

Now that you have mentioned the "B" word.. I'll just shower with my clothes on. That'll save a whole lot of room.:D :D