Is it cheating ...
Is it cheating at Thanksgiving to purchase all or part of the dinner already prepared? I've been thinking about this a lot lately. The only thing I've ever bought before (because I'm too chicken to make them) is Parker House rolls - which I love. But how far down the slippery slope do you go when you purchase your turkey and a pie and maybe even the cornbread dressing? I always called my mom to help me through the dressing, but since she's not here any more, I'm sort of at a loss. I don't want to do the first (fill in the blank) since my mom died, so I'm trying hard not it. It's not quite Thanksgiving without smelling celery and onions first thing in the morning though. This year Thanksgiving will be for the four of us, me, the MotH*, the Boy** and my lovely mother-in-law.
I'm accustomed to cooking for 8-12 people, so is it worth the work to do everything from scratch for just the 4 of us. So this year is an experiment... I am purchasing a few things and making the rest and we'll see how it goes. I may hate it. I may feel guilty (highly likely). Or, I might think it's the best thing I've done lately. We'll have to wait and see. Why are holidays so full of things that are hard to deal with especially after someone is gone?
Full menu (w/recipes) to be posted on Turkey Day.
*Man of the House
**I'll have to stop calling him the Boy in a few months - yikes!
Hi Jj - It must be very hard to face the day without your mom. Perhaps trying some new traditions would make it easier? For example, since there are only four of you, what about making cornish hens, or a duck, instead of the ubiquitous turkey? There are also so many different kinds of dressing out there - one of my favorites is this Ciabatta stuffing with chestnuts and pancetta -
ReplyDeletehttp://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/ciabatta-stuffing-with-chestnuts-and-pancetta-recipe/index.html
So good! On the other hand, perhaps having all your family favorites is a good way to honor your mom? I am lucky enough to still have mine (I hope for many years to come) but I did loose my maternal grandmother a few years back, who raised me and felt like my other mother. Though it hurts and it makes us cry, there is something very cathartic about making and eating the food we associate with her. I hope you have a beautiful day with your family, despite the pain. Beat of luck to you!
Alexa - thanks for the note - it it hard. it was quite unexpected when my mom died and it hurts more than I could imagine. But I'll muddle through. Thanks for being so kind. It means so much that you commented. Thank you.
ReplyDelete