Awesome Thanksgiving
This year, I swore I wasn't going to cook. And if I did cook (because who can resist a kid who begs for her mom's home cooking?), it was just going to be us. BUT I always cook so much it seems a shame to waste it on just us... BUT I have friends with nowhere to go... BUT, but, but...
So, of course, I ended up with 5 people around the table, and you know what? It was awesome.
The deal I made with Bailey was that no matter what, I wouldn't stress out, so I didn't. I took yesterday off and got almost everything made in advance: I brined the turkey, made a nice giblet gravy, did a cranberry/orange sauce and assembled the stuffing, green bean casserole and sweet potato casserole. I also made some ice cream. My friends were bringing mead, wine, rolls and pie, so I just concentrated on the main meal.
We also decorated the table really nicely. I got out my wedding china and we had little maple leaf place cards. I filled the cornucopia with real fruit, and put out the cranberry relish in a Mason jar. In spite of using Lenox china and Waterford crystal, it still had a really warm feeling to it. I also set up the buffet as a dessert/coffee bar, and decorated with orange lights and a pumpkin wreath. The food was on a separate table to the side.
By the time everyone arrived, the turkey was ready and all I had to do was pull out the casseroles. I felt very relaxed the whole time. Everyone gushed over the food (one guest said, "I've never had turkey that was flavorful before!"), and everyone had seconds. Bella brought an absolutely fantastic mead, and C's rolls were awesome.
We drank mead and wine and tea and ate ourselves silly. Then we sat in the living room, knitting and watching Supernatural and cracking jokes. I was worried, because none of my friends had met each other before, but you wouldn't have known that from how relaxed everyone was with each other.
They stayed a good long while, and I sent everyone home with doggie bags. At the end of the day, it was just what I wanted: delicious food, great company and very low-key.
So, of course, I ended up with 5 people around the table, and you know what? It was awesome.
The deal I made with Bailey was that no matter what, I wouldn't stress out, so I didn't. I took yesterday off and got almost everything made in advance: I brined the turkey, made a nice giblet gravy, did a cranberry/orange sauce and assembled the stuffing, green bean casserole and sweet potato casserole. I also made some ice cream. My friends were bringing mead, wine, rolls and pie, so I just concentrated on the main meal.
We also decorated the table really nicely. I got out my wedding china and we had little maple leaf place cards. I filled the cornucopia with real fruit, and put out the cranberry relish in a Mason jar. In spite of using Lenox china and Waterford crystal, it still had a really warm feeling to it. I also set up the buffet as a dessert/coffee bar, and decorated with orange lights and a pumpkin wreath. The food was on a separate table to the side.
By the time everyone arrived, the turkey was ready and all I had to do was pull out the casseroles. I felt very relaxed the whole time. Everyone gushed over the food (one guest said, "I've never had turkey that was flavorful before!"), and everyone had seconds. Bella brought an absolutely fantastic mead, and C's rolls were awesome.
We drank mead and wine and tea and ate ourselves silly. Then we sat in the living room, knitting and watching Supernatural and cracking jokes. I was worried, because none of my friends had met each other before, but you wouldn't have known that from how relaxed everyone was with each other.
They stayed a good long while, and I sent everyone home with doggie bags. At the end of the day, it was just what I wanted: delicious food, great company and very low-key.