New Year, Same Ol' Thang

Thanksgiving Ramblings...

Oh Boy. The holidays have begun to become a stressful time period for me. I don’t know what it is, but I always feel like a chicken running around with its head cut off around this time of year. Go get this, go do that. There are not enough hours in the day. I took vacation for Wednesday so I could sit back and relax before I start slaving in the kitchen. I have done most of my shopping for Thanksgiving dinner, but I still have some last minute items to pick up…I always like to wait to get the produce.
My sister is buying the Turkey (already smoked)...for the 2nd year in a row, we are on a wild goose chase looking for a Butterball fully cooked smoked turkey...my dad picked up the ham (which I will probably cook). I love my family, and I enjoy cooking…but it’s something about staying up all night on Wednesday so we can eat turkey the next day. But on the other hand…I will get great joy and satisfaction from cooking a scrumptious meal for my family to enjoy. I guess it’s only fair. I’m complaining and this is only my third year to cook Thanksgiving dinner…my mother did it for many years and not one complaint.

Here’s our Thanksgiving menu:
Smoked Turkey
Ham
Cornbread Dressing
Macaroni and Cheese
Broccoli, Cheese, and Rice Casserole
Yams
Mashed Potatoes
Greens
Corn on the Cob
Green Beans
Yeast Rolls

For Desert:
Peach Cobbler
Sweet Potato Pie
German Chocolate Cake (my mother is the only one that likes it, and since it is her birthday, I will hook it up).
Italian Cream Cake (maybe)
Banana Pudding (possibly, my nieces request)

I am cooking everything, but the Turkey (already cooked, just needs to be heated), yams, and sweet potato pie. Oh yeah, my sister is going to cook the greens. So, I guess it’s not that bad after all...what am I saying, yes it is. For the past two years I have been up until the wee hours of the morning prepping and baking so everyone else will enjoy a nice delicious meal. But you know that hard work is well worth it…even if it’s just for one day. I have a lot to be thankful for, and I guess the most important thing is not to loose sight of this holiday. I guess my sister refers to me as “Bah-humbug” for good reason . So I will try to stop complaining, and be thankful that I have a family to cook for.

But just one last complaint...my little greedy nieces had the nerve to say we did not have enough ham last year, so we might purchase two, meaning one more for me to have to prepare. *rolls eyes* They better learn to eat turkey.

Tis the Season...