I just found out, due to unfortunate circumstances, I'm doing Thanksgiving this year.
My parents usually did it in the past, but have since moved to a smaller house, and the family has grown significantly, so although they participate with some of the dishes, they have passed the torch to my brother and sister in law, who have a huge house. We all usually chip in and bring something, but this year had a few curve balls thrown at us.
1) 2 weeks ago, my father passed out ( due to all the meds he is on, dropping his heart rate to below 40bpm, after my mom performed CPR ( she was an intensive care nurse for 25 + years), he was rushed to the hospital where he stayed fro 4 or 5 days to stabilize his meds. He is now in a rehab facility, cause he kinda got banged up on the way down.
2) Last week, as my mom was leaving the rehab facility ( after visiting my dad), she got in a car accident, totaling her car. She is ok, but just added to her misery.
3) That brings me to yesterday, about 6pm I get a text from my wife, that my sister in law, while preparing for Thanksgiving at her house, was up on a chair searching for serving platters and such, fell off the chair and busted her leg. needless to say, she is not up to having a house full of people, and serving them.
So, my wife offered our house , and originally it was a go. But, we live about an hour from everyone else ( and the rehab facility), and we wanted to somehow include my dad in the festivities. So, we all decided to keep the group to immediate family, having it at my mothers house. Im in charge of preparing and bringing the bulk of the food. After dinner we will bring all the desserts to the rehab facility to have it with my dad.
My sister in law got a little pissy at first when we said we'll do everything but not the turkey ( since we are vegetarian, and Im understandably not about to start roasting a turkey). So instead of saying " Hey, thanks, I really appreciate you offering to hold thanksgiving". her reply was , in a very very snotty tone " what's thanksgiving without turkey? " Well, we were the bigger people and just ignored her stupid remark ( to her face, but behind her back we cursed her sniottiness and attitude). Now, since it will be at my moms, I think someone else is preparing the turkey and bringing it.
So, I now have to first start shopping ( since I just found out) and shop for, and prepare enough food for 15 people.
For the Thanksgiving themed Items, I will do Roasted veggies, roasted or BBQ'd potatoes, stuffing, stuffing stuffed mushrooms and cranberry sauce ( since I have gallons of cranberries from my cranberry picking experience a few weeks ago).
In addition, I will make a veggie meatballs ( which were suggested by everyone, as they love them), and a bunch of pasta dishes ( lasagna rolls, pasta with garlic, spinach and feta, baked ziti and garlic bread along with a salad.
My sister will cover the desserts and I assume the turkey.
And with al the bitching and complaint, Ill put money on it that my dishes all go, and there is left over turkey. And Im glad there will be left over turkey, cause that's when I tell my sister in law where she can shove it .
Sorry guys, just had to vent
Happy Thanksgiving everyone !!!