Holiday food--meal planning gone amuck?

One week 'til we have a nice break for Thanksgiving. I am thankful, for one, that we have been granted the full day before the Turkey Day off from school-- time to get things prepped, time to take a breath before diving into holiday foods, time to enjoy family before the usual little spats over matching table settings erupt (there won't be any of that-- I have new flatware). 

Why do I put so much emphasis on making things "nicer" than usual? I think we are programmed from birth, both from social expectations and family traditions, to set certain almost impossible standards for ourselves and our guests/family members. One of these years, I'm just going to scale it way back, and focus on what I'm thankful for --those same guests and family-- and not worry about how many pies and how big a bird. A couple times, we went out to dinner, and that was lovely, but then, no leftovers, and that was kind of sad. It's a balancing act.

Granted, I've given up the whole appetizer stuff-- no one needs to eat that much food. And the pies and rolls are ordered from the bakery; if I get to make one or two others, so be it, but I'm really trying to relieve the pressure. We did get a big bird --I actually have three in the freezer-- and I'm probably going to have to do both meat dressing and bread stuffing, in order to make everyone happy. I can do that. And as much as I don't really care about mashed white potatoes, they have been requested. Again, easily done. I will NOT make that green bean casserole thing-- it's gross. There, I said it. And I am still yet to figure out this whole Southern thing of macaroni and cheese with the turkey. It's cultural.

I did make a quart of applesauce and put it in the freezer, back when we harvested our meager crop. That will grace the table: our own apples, my own effort. And there will be a dish of cranberry sauce, Ocean Spray of course. I love sweet potatoes and butternut squash--those will be included. Holly will only willingly eat broccoli, so I'll steam some. 

There? see? The meal is getting pretty big already. But leftovers are lovely, and they ease the cooking question for a few days. Then, we get to the turkey soup level, and everyone is tired of turkey. 

Next up: Christmas. I may just cook a ham. I have two of them in the freezer...

Have a good day,

C