Sigh. Here it comes, that holiday meltdown, when I begin with a brilliantly conceived menu, and slowly descend into the mania of menu anxiety. I start here, and end up THERE, I worry. I shop, but while I remember the turkey and the extra toilet paper, I forget the rapini, that was carefully written in as the extra veg, I am suddenly seized with worry that our gluten-free, dairy-free recipe plan this year will not be enough – that everyone will surely starve. I fiddle with vegetable dishes, desserts, and sides and soups, moving them around on paper until ( hopefully) they re-assemble into a calm, Martha Stewart-like celebration I'm hoping for. And just as I heave a sigh after the feast has been presented, the children and guests have dug in with enthusiasm, just as the last glass of seltzer, the last cup of coffee is emptied – everyone leaves. And I do the dishes.
I am delighted tonight to talk with a new guest arriving tomorrow with her toddler - she laughed when she heard me say we would be having homemade cranberry sauce - and Ocean Spray jellied cranberry sauce, which I have always loved. "You mean the cranberry sauce that looks like the can?" And of course, that IS what it looks like as you decant it.
Here are a few of the recipes that might come in handy during your last minute frenzy:
Gluten-free, dairy free chocolate coconut pudding pots
Fresh strawberries dipped in chocolate
Butternut Squash soup with Indian spices
It may take some time to hook up the links, but you can also check the blog, if you're impatient.
Live, laugh, and love your Thanksgiving ! Have a wonderful day!
Oh, Katrina, this was absolutely delightful to read. I could relate on all levels. My 90 year old mother-in-law, who will be dining elsewhere for Thanksgiving, called today to giggle with me because when she asked her hostess what she could bring to dinner, the response was, "Oh that good ole green bean casserole." My MIL replied that she'd be happy to, of course. But she told me, "I haven't thought about that glop in a couple of decades and I'd hoped everyone had forgot about it by now!"
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving, Kat. I'm sure you'll do yourself proud.
Oh NO! Donna, I had a taste of that once and that was enough - not a fan. Thank you for your kind words and laughter! Sometimes I have so much to do I get in a tizzy, but I'm sure it will be a delightful Turkey Day - and I hope yours is also a delight.
ReplyDeleteI love that Donna's MIL referred to the green bean casserole as 'that glop' - hysterical!!!
ReplyDeleteAs for your offerings on your post - I know everyone is delicious!! May your Thanksgiving be warm, wonderful, peaceful, happy and fun. Enjoy your family, friends, food and thank you for sharing a little bit of your life with the rest of us.
Happy Thanksgiving!!
Barb
Oh, Barb - Happy Thanksgiving! Thank you for your always wonderful comments, and wishing you a day of warmth, good food, good friends, and family!
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