My favorite from my childhood was the year my grandmother, who lived with us and was a bit forgetful, put the Christmas turkey in the oven and forgot to turn the oven on. No one realized until hours later, when it was too late to start the turkey roasting. That year we had Christmas dinner at Luby's Cafeteria. (And no one had to clean up the kitchen, which as an adult I think is the best part...)
Then, a couple of years ago, we'd planned to go to my aunt and uncle's for our traditional Christmas Day dinner, but we got snowed in. Yes! In Texas! Beautiful white fluffy snow that started at breakfast and fell all day. Of course our three or four inches would have been nothing for you hardy northerners, but in Dallas, that much snow means that the roads were shut down. We found something in the freezer to cook, and spent the day in front of the fire with just our daughter and son-in-law, and it was THE best Christmas. After that, I vowed we'd stay home on Christmas Day (we do Rick's family celebration on Christmas Eve.) This year we'll have some friends and family as well as the kiddos, and best of all, Wren!!! So looking forward to our adorable grandbaby's first Christmas!
REDS, any Christmas disasters for you?
RHYS BOWEN: The only one I can think of was the year there was a massive power cut right before I was about to put the turkey in the oven. It was a year my brother was visiting from Australia so we had around 14 people in the house. When I got upset my calm and wonderful son in law Tim went out and came back with Chinese food. So we have photos of a perfectly decorated table and lots of little food containers all over it!
HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: Seems like there's a theme here...Mine wasn't Christmas, but Thanksgiving. We had friends over, and I was doing it up big. Delish appetizers, then turkey and elegant elaborate sides. I was so proud of myself because everything was ready at the same time! The green beans were perfect, and the broccoli souffle puffed exactly when the turkey timer popped! But when I cut into the turkey--AHHHHHH. Not done! Pink, red, awful. I slammed it back into the oven, and stalled, more wine anyone?? It cooked and cooked, endlessly. (It seems like that, anyway,but it was thirty minutes at least.) When it was FINALLY done, long story short, I realizedI had neglected (because I had decided it was not good to stuff the turkey for some reason) to take out the bag of neck and etc.
Dear Miss Manners. And so?
READERS, any Christmas disasters for you?
