Originally, I was going to be out of town the weekend before Thanksgiving. Since I was thinking I’d be busy and tired, I asked my husband and son to make the dinner. Then my trip was postponed. Still, even though I have done Thanksgiving dinner for 35+ years, my guys still wanted to make the dinner and give me a holiday off from not only making the whole dinner, but doing most of the dishes as well. It was weird. All those years of having the system down, I tried to let go. My son called me a helicopter cook and ordered me out of the kitchen. Sigh….
I did make the sweet potatoes as my contribution. My husband did the brining, too. When both of them got the turkey out of the brine and getting it ready for the roaster, I stuck my fingers into the turkey just to check for any pinfeathers and other leftover stuff. Also discovered was the giblets and neck were left in the cavities. Good thing I spotted that. I guess it wouldn’t have been the end of the dinner if it were left in there. They both utilized my computer to check various
recipes.*
I asked about the cranberries. Husband took them out of the freezer…frozen cherries. Luckily, my son was dropping his friend off who worked at a grocery store so was able to pick up a bag. I coached him how to make them. Son used the Microplane very well zesting the blood orange. No pith!
I learned a lot with this process. I can trust my guys to do well with the dinner. They figured most things out. They worked well together. I was still important from afar. After all was done and the dishes and kitchen cleaned up, my husband commented about how much work it is and how much food was made. Maybe there was appreciation for the years I did make the dinner. Organization and timing is important. Trusting is very important, too. They came through.
As we sat down to eat, my son asked what we are grateful for. It was very touching when he said he is grateful for what his dad and I do for him. Our little family is very grateful for each other while our hearts are pretty big.
So for consideration of next year’s dinner, I can pick up one of those frozen turkey loafs in an aluminum pan, already made refrigerated mashed potatoes, jarred gravy, canned cranberries, Stovetop dressing and a bakery pie. Not likely, but a great back-up plan!
Hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful.
*Sorry I did not take a picture of this wonderful feast.
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