Who else is NOT cooking for Thanksgiving?

[acorreia]

For me, this Thanksgiving will be a very unconventional. We just moved from Texas to CA and I will not be with family this year. So, I'm just going to relax, watch football, and maybe grill some fish, and drink some good wine of course. Anyone else celebrating "turkey day" like this? Kind of depressing, I know.

-ac

[Gail]

Kindasorta.

I do Christmas, New Year's Eve and another post-holiday dinner for cousins who can't make it to Christmas. If I did Thanksgiving, too, I'd probably drop dead!

Fortunately, we'll be spending our day with family, gobbling up the rewards of someone else's labor.

...as for your day, don't think of it as depressing-- think of it as a well-deserved opportunity to kick back, enjoy your day off and rest. Sounds good to me!

[Wendy w]

I'm cooking, but we are buying our pie from Costco. I am kind of ashamed after reading about all of those fabulous desserts on another thread that people are making.

I am cooking at my sister's and she is one of God's most unorganized creatures so my boyfriend are taking care of most of the cooking. Between disarray and navigating around unnecessary knickknacks, like Gail, I'd drop dead if I added pie making to my to do's.

I have had fantasies about going out or cooking at home but since my Dad passed away last week, it is best to be with family.

Have a wonderful, restful holiday.

Wendy

[Mamasue]

Not cooking here. My SIL has Thanksgiving every year and requests me to bring something. This year it will be Banana Cream Pudding from CL and I want to bring a Brie with pastry. I have downloaded a few recipe for Brie, but havent decided yet.

Christmas and New Year's is here at our home...every year since my daughter's birth....24 years. I love Christmas.

[KristaMB]

I'm not cooking. My husband and I were going to do something unconventional and go snowboarding for the day, but plans are currently changing. I spoke with my family in Northern California last week, and am now longing to spend Thanksgiving Day with them. So we'll probably end up going to my parents house. But if that road trip falls through, then we're headed to Big Bear. Either way, I probably won't spend any time in the kitchen.

Wendy, please accept my sympathy on the loss of your dad...

Krista

[Gail]

Originally posted by Wendy w:
...I have had fantasies about going out or cooking at home but since my Dad passed away last week, it is best to be with family.

Wendy

Oh, Wendy!

I am SO sorry to hear about your dad. Dunno if you ever saw my message after you first mentioned his pneumonia a while back, but he'd been in my thoughts and prayers since then. Having heard no updates, I'd been hoping for the best.

My deepest condolences to you and all your family.

[Jeanne G]

Ok, I'm choking up here reading about you losing your dad Wendy. I too am so sorry and wish you the best on Thanksgiving. Luckily I am blessed to have 2 parents still healthy and together and will cherish my T-day with them.

And as lucky as I am to have a healthy and happy family I am the only one of 4 siblings able to share Thurs with my parents (+ my boyfriend). So it will be nice but different & a little lonely. My mom's doing all the cooking(yum, I can't imagine Thanksgiving without her cooking!) but I'm bringing olive bread (I got the recipe here from a suggestion) and carrots with lemon and kalamata olives. I guess I sound like a bit of an olive fan?

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!! It really is nice to remember what we're all thankful for.

[kwormann]

Wendy,

So sorry to hear about your father! I also lost my father close to Thanksgiving (actually 7 years ago today) so I understand losing family at the holidays. Please tell your whole family there is a wide network of people who's thoughts are with them!

Kim

[mommywannabe]

Mamasue - Susann posted a yummy sounding brie appetizer recipe a few days ago: http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/Forum1/HTML/002379.html

Gee, I hope I did that right...my first time trying to link to another BB thread

[mommywannabe]

Oh, cool, it actually worked...I feel so techie Hey, I'm officially a member now, too

[Natasha]

Wendy,

Just wanted to add my condolences. It seems like you re being very strong about it, and I admire you for that. Remember that your family, boyfriend, and all of us are here for you, though, and hopefully we can ease the pain at least a bit. Very best wishes to you all.

[This message has been edited by Natasha (edited 11-20-2000).]

[HARRYET]

I acutally am not hosting Thanksgiving dinner, my MIL does most of the cooking, but I will be bringing along, broccoli casserole, cranberry relish, apple pie, stuffed mushrooms, cranberry & pumpkin breads, and maybe the pumpkin cheesecake I've been reading so much about.

[SusanL]

Wendy W- enjoy the time you have with your sister, our thoughts and prayers go with you also! It has been 25 years since I lost my grandfather(not the same but we were really close). Time does heal but try to keep busy! Being around other family members does help. We will be thinking of you!

[Mamasue]

Wendy,

I am also sorry to hear of your Dad's passing and understand how it can be especially around the holidays. Your presence around family and/or friends is the best medicine in times like this. Your dad will be near though....in your heart always.

mommywannabe...I was thinking of brie cranberry pizza, but SIL insisted that it be a brie wrapped in pastry type thing....so her wish is my command. Thanks though!

[BernK]

We are going to a friends house for dinner. All I have to do is bring a bottle of wine. I will probably spend the day at the beach. Dinner is not until around 5pm.
Christmas my husband and I are going to spend alone. This is probably our last chance to have a quiet Christmas. Next year we will be back in the states and I'm sure we will be spending it with family next year. I can't wait. I love Christmas, I grew up in a big family and I'm used to lots of people around. Thanksgiving doesn't do much for me. I'm not american so I didn't grow up with it. Maybe whan we have lots of family around in the future it will start to mean more.
Everyone have a great holiday.

[MrsReber]

My mom is doing most of the cooking. It's usually her or my brother since my husband and I can't accomdate everyone at our house. We all try to pitch in and bring something, though. My sister and her family will be up from NC.

Wendy, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. It always makes us cherish family even more. I'm sure you'll be in everyone's thoughts on this holiday.

[Vanessa]

Wendy:
I am so sorry to hear about your dad's passing.
This yr I was tempted to sit back and not cook since it will be only Nick & I but that resolution lasted til Sunday evening. I marinated the turkey yesterday. Nick did promise to be in the kitchen observing and learning....

[This message has been edited by Vanessa (edited 11-21-2000).]

[Wendy w]

Everyone,

Thank you very much for your support and prayers - you are the greatest group of people and I genuinely hope that our trip materializes and we can meet. Dad isn't scared or in pain anymore and we have very fond memories of what a character he was!

In fact, I will be making cinnamon twists (the 1st recipe I learned in 8th grade home ec.) for breakfast on Thanksgiving morning. My 11 year old nephew has never had them, and Dad liked them when we used to go to the mountains. Dad has always loved his desserts - especially ice cream.

A very happy holiday to you all.

Wendy

[shoyski]

Wendy, I too would like to acknowledge your loss, especially during a time we usually reserve for family. I'm very encouraged by reading everyone's care and concern.

Gail, how does one become a knicknack? Is it like new member status, or something? Just kidding....it just read funny to me.

I will be helping my mom with Thanksgiving dinner but will not be in charge. We have a big family reunion that weekend which starts Wednesday night with some members and lasts until Sunday afternoon.

I am in charge, though, for dinner on Saturday night and per request, have made my annual lasangas. I'm glad this is the dinner I'm to prepare as I can do it ahead and freeze. Others will help out with side dishes. When you have 30 people or so, it's easy to spread responsibility around....especially when my entire family is kitchen oriented. We even have volunteer cleanup crews each meal!

[phantomcg]

Wendy:
I just wanted to add my voice to the chorus of love and prayers going out to you and your family. I hope that you and your family are able to enjoy being together over the holidays and that there are many, many happy memories of your Dad remembered amoung you.

We lost my Dad a little over 3 years ago and the first Christmas after that, it was really important to me to play Christmas carols on my violin for the family. Dad had always encouraged me to keep playing and I had started taking lessons about 6 months before his passing, so playing for the family at Christmas just felt "right". I hope that making your Cinnamon Twists for your family brings you the same peace and "rightness".

Cheryl

[Gail]

Originally posted by shoyski:
...Gail, how does one become a knicknack? ....

Shoyski,

I kinda like being a knicknack-- a status earned by sitting around doing little other than collecting dust-- but I do take issue with the designation "unnecessary..."

[This message has been edited by Gail (edited 11-21-2000).]

[SueK]

Wendy-You have my sympathy as well, especially because I also lost my father last week. It was very unexpected, and sudden, and I really don't even feel like having any special meal this week. This year was going to be the first year I hosted the Thanksgiving dinner. Now, of course, many relatives are in town, and we decided for the kids' sake that we will at least have the traditional Thanksgiving meal, but we'll be eating at a restaurant in town. No one really has their heart in cooking at this point.
Take care and hope you and everyone on this BB have a blessed Thanksgiving.

[phantomcg]

SueK:
I'm so sorry for your loss. The loss of a parent is a terrible thing and, when the loss is unexpected and sudden, it's even worse. Please know that you and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. I hope that peace soon returns to your households. Words never seem to be quite enough......

Take care.

Cheryl

[Wendy w]

Sue,

I am very sorry to hear about your Dad as well. Although we knew that we would not have Dad much longer, it is difficult whether it is sudden or expected. Mine kept bouncing back.Take care of yourself, you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Wendy

On the lighter side, Gail it is so funny that what you call a knick knack, I call a "decorator item"! I do know a couple of people that make you wonder what use they have.

[This message has been edited by Wendy w (edited 11-21-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Wendy w (edited 11-21-2000).]

[shoyski]

Sue, again, words of sympathy just don't seem enough. I will keep both you and Wendy in my prayers. I hope the holidays are a source of strength as you join with family.

[SusanL]

Sue K- Our thoughts and prayers will be with you this Thanksgiving also! Holidays are hard to lose a family member but he is with you in spirit! We all are praying for the comfort that you and your family needs. Take care and know that others are thinking of you and your family. Continuing the tradition for the kids' sake is important- good for you to see that! Please know that when our family prays at Thanksgiving, your family and Wendy W's family will be included!

[SusanL]

Sue K- Our thoughts and prayers will be with you this Thanksgiving also! Holidays are hard to lose a family member but he is with you in spirit! We all are praying for the comfort that you and your family needs. Take care and know that others are thinking of you and your family. Continuing the tradition for the kids' sake is important- good for you to see that! Please know that when our family prays at Thanksgiving, your family and Wendy W's family will be included!