Thursday, November 27, 2008

Avoiding disaster?

Well it is Thanksgiving Day, and I am blogging for therapy.

This year I get to host my very first Thanksgiving Dinner in almost 14 yrs. of marriage. I am so excited I can barely contain myself. Many of you know I am seasoned in the kitchen. Not much throws me, I know how to deal with just about every kind of kitchen disaster and fix it without freaking out too much.

On monday I decided I better make sure that I had every thing that I needed. Plates, cups etc...
Well upon counting my 2 sets of every day dishes I came up with a total of 10 dinner plates. Pretty good if you are only having 10 people over...... We are having about 12 adults and 4 children so this clearly is not going to work. So I rush on down to the nearest walmart and buy myself 12 openstock clear glass plates. Disaster averted right..... Next come the glasses, I counted these at the same time as the plates. and came up with the fact that I only have McDonalds/ Disney Land Commemorative glasses and not nearly enough of them any way so I now also need glasses. I opted for a case of 12 wine party glasses from the party store. Yea disaster averted again right....
Now in my mental inventory I am taking stock of tablecloths. No, I do not have even one that is not a plastic disposable one, that isn't in a color fit for a mexican fiesta. Do you have any idea how expensive a table cloth can be? Frankly they are outrageous. I finally found 2 vinyl table cloths that will do, not my first choice but.....

Now as far as food goes I know what I am doing I am not bragging just stating the facts.
1. I have catered events for upwards of 200 people.
2. I have done international luncheons with so many different dishes it was mind boggling.
3. the Kitchen is where I am most comfortable.

AS far as the menu goes I decided that I could not do it all by myself this year, financially, time wise etc... So I am having the rest of the family bring side dishes and I am concentrating on a few main things. Turkey, Gravy, Stuffing, Appetizers and Beverages.
Easy peasy melon squeezy right.....

So I have this brilliant idea, I am going to buy a fresh turkey to avoid having to thaw it for days on end. Unlike those people I saw at Harmon's yesterday at 3pm buying a frozen solid turkey. I am being proactive in avoiding Thanksgiving disasters. I bought my fresh turkey on saturday of last week fresh not frozen and I put it in the fridge out in the shed. Great turkey is just hanging out in the fridge, waiting until I decide to pull it out and cook it up. I am so calm, not nervous in the least bit, I got all of my appetizers done last night.

Just for reference I made dates stuffed with blue cheese and wrapped in bacon, Stuffed mushrooms, Mini Quiches (frozen store bought) and mini deli spirals (frozen store bought).

Now fast forward to 6 am this morning.
It is dark and cold outside and it is raining. I had to go outside to the fridge in the shed to get my fresh turkey... I didn't want to go out there. My dog even refused to go out. I get to the fridge and open it up to find my turkey almost frozen solid. What!!!!!! Frozen????? Are you kidding me????? well as we speak my turkey is sitting in a tub of hot water thawing. I am just hoping that it is not frozen all the way to the core. I have to have dinner on the table at 1 p.m. today. That means that no later than 7:45 a.m. My turkey needs to be in the roaster oven. I guess that is what I get for making fun of those people who bought frozen turkeys last night and are standing there with their blow dryer stuck up the back end of their turkey.

Well I am off to get my turkey a roasting. I have less than 10 minutes to get it in.....
I will update later if anything interesting comes up.
Please, Lord......

Monday, November 24, 2008

I'm so THANKFUL....

It's time for my Happy Thanksgiving post.

Here are a few things I am thankful for:

My Savior
My wonderful husband
My sweet kids
My new home
My extended family
All of my wonderful friends
My church family
My car
My school room
My garage
The abundance of food in my fridge and pantry
My washer and dryer
My dishwasher
My computer
Books
Costco (yes, costco I just found out they have vanilla beans 10 for $11.99)
Another day to spend with my family
The sunshine
My citizenship
Birds
Dragonflies (they are pretty and they eat mosquitoes!)

These are just a few of the things I am thankful for. I could probably go on all day but I think I better spare you.
However to wrap things up here is a Thanksgiving Blessing you may or may not have heard before.

May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey be plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have never a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!!!!

Monday, November 17, 2008

Lost And Found


Found 1 Laundry Monster
Description:
Paper towel dress, creepy toothy smile, pig nosed, with bushy brows.
This Laundry monster was found lurking in the laundry pile of a certain little girl, just waiting to be shredded into bits in the wash cycle. Fortunately I rescued him/her, and the laundry.
If you have any info pertaining to the where abouts of the owner please contact me immediately.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Rumor Has It......

Today I had an opportunity to attend another church for a special event that they were hosting. I believe while I was away My Son may have inadvertently started a nasty rumor about me. I think he must have been misunderstood in his telling of where exactly I was. I was at Freedom Worship Center. I had been invited there to judge their Annual Chili Cook-Off. (I had a really great time and the chilis were great.)
Justin was telling me that he was confronted by one of the Elders in our church of just why I had not brought My Chili to OUR Church. Funny thing is I did not make chili. But I sure did eat chili! So I am writing this post to set the record straight..... I did not go to another church to enter my chili in their chili contest.....I attend Discovery Christian Community and I only visited the other church to judge a chili cook-off. I have no intention of church hopping or leaving our church. I am perfectly happy where the Lord has placed us.
I think everyone should go eat a bowl of chili now.