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| Youngest...what a turkey. |
JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: Okay, the future function is Thanksgiving, but I really, really wanted that alliteration. It’s less than three weeks away, and many of us are faced with a lot more choices than last year, when the big question for the day was “Should we buy a turkey breast for the two of us, or just say the hell with it and go with Swanson’s Frozen Turkey Dinner?”
Let’s dive right in, shall we?
1. Friends, family, or just you? Immediate family here, minus the Sailor and his girl, plus one or maybe more boyfriends (we’re definitely getting into that stage at Chateau Hugo-Vidal) and featuring special guests Victor and Celia Wakefield, whose daughter will be away this year.
2. Stoneware and whatever glasses you can find, or china and crystal? We do it up. We all know I’m a china/silver/monogrammed napkins junkie, now is the time to use it. I set a special holiday table last year, and I’m not sure we got out of pour pajamas for the meal.
3. Turkey: fresh or frozen? Rubbed, brined or whatever the newest thing is? I’m going to try to find fresh, but I need to pre-order fast. I’m willing to try whatever technique might make the bird more moist - I admit I’m not a great turkey roaster. (Never been underdone though, thank heavens.)
4. What’s your must-have side? For the kids: Himmel und Erde, a German mashed potato/turnip/apple dish. It’s also on deck for Christmas. For me… I don’t know, it may be the Alabamian in me, but I always crave a good sweet potato casserole swimming in butter and covered with glazed pecans. Better hope the weather holds for a post-prandial hike.
5. Potential Thanksgiving disaster you must avert? The ceiling over my dining table got soaked from a bathroom leak last month, mildewed, and the middle of three dry wall sections fell in. It looks BAD y’all, and we’re not spending any time in the living room just in case the mildew spores turn us into pod people. Josh the Carpenter swears he can have it fixed before the big day. Keep your fingers crossed.
1. Friends, family, or just you?
It will be me, Hub, Hooligans and their Plus Ones. We might staycation it or vacation it - we haven’t decided but it will be the six of us, which is always fun as the Hooligans have chosen well.
2. Stoneware and whatever glasses you can find, or china and crystal?
Buffet style and probably stoneware as we’ll be off nature walking or something in and around the meal. Might even go to a restaurant!
As mentioned above, we might go to a restaurant or deep fry that bad boy. I have no idea. Seat of the pantsing here!
4. What’s your must-have side?
Pumpkin pie! What do you mean that’s not a side? Of course, it’s a side! LOL!
5. Potential Thanksgiving disaster you must avert?
Setting the backyard on fire with deep fried turkey mentioned above. No one needs that drama.
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| Hallie's granddaughter knows the best part of the day |
1. Friends, family, or just you?
Family! I’ll be in Brooklyn celebrating a delicious Thanksgiving with my daughters, son-in-law, and grands. What could be more perfect!?
2. Stoneware and whatever glasses you can find, or china and crystal?
Not my department!! Though I’m pretty sure there is neither china nor crystal to be had. Last year or so I gave them a pan to cook the turkey in.
3. Turkey: fresh or frozen? Rubbed, brined or whatever the newest thing is?
Guessing, frozen. Hopefully thawed. No one realizes how long it takes for something that big and frozen to thaw. Then seasoned buttered and roasted. The old-fashioned way.
4. What’s your must-have side?
Dressing! Pepperidge Farm seasoned, with onion celery and a ton of gravy. AND pies for dessert - 3 kinds (pumpkin, apple, and custard.
5. Potential Thanksgiving disaster you must avert?
Buying a turkey that’s meant for the soup pot instead of oven roasting. DisASter.
1. Friends, family, or just you?
Family. Daughter and family plus other daughter from LA plus dog, hopefully eating outside in daughter’s glorious outdoor space. Son and wife decided it was too expensive to fly in and other daughter goes to in-laws.
Last year we ate turkey outside at Sonoma daughter’s house. It was cold!
2. Stoneware and whatever glasses you can find, or china and crystal?
Clare will be hosting. She loves to set an elegant table. Best glasses and china. Also we are planning to make our own crackers with special gifts for everyone. Ambitious? Maybe
3. Turkey: fresh or frozen? Rubbed, brined or whatever the newest thing is?
Cage free. Organic. Not sure if she brines. We do!
4. What’s your must-have side?
5. Potential Thanksgiving disaster you must avert?
There will be 3 dogs and lots of food on tables, maybe outside.
HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: Um, I’m worried about Thanksgiving. I wonder what we’re celebrating, and it’s distressing.
1. Friends, family, or just you? It’ll be just us..and I’m not sure what we’ll do. Maybe make a land acknowledgement? And think about history?
2. Stoneware and whatever glasses you can find, or china and crystal? In holidays past, we’ve done it up big.
3. Turkey: fresh or frozen? Rubbed, brined or whatever the newest thing is? I do love turkey, and maybe this will all move it from being connected with Thanksgiving.
4. What’s your must-have side? Oh, gosh, mashed potatoes were a staple.
5. Potential Thanksgiving disaster you must avert? An anytime disaster: forgetting to take the paper wrapped giblets thing out of the turkey before cooking it. I have done this. Once. And once you do it, you’ll never do it again.
LUCY BURDETTE
1. Friends, family, or just you? Neighbors this year, 5 of them. Everyone will bring something so the work will be spread out. And everyone’s vaccinated...the new low bar for guests!
2. Stoneware and whatever glasses you can find, or china and crystal? No crystal and china in Key West!
3. Turkey: fresh or frozen? Rubbed, brined or whatever the newest thing is? Gosh I hope it’s thawed by then...lots of butter, salt, pepper, onions and celery stuffed inside for flavor.
4. What’s your must-have side? Mashed potatoes and gravy. I’ll probably make cornbread stuffing, though I’ve toyed with the idea of Hallie’s Pepperidge Farm:).
5. Potential Thanksgiving disaster you must avert? Discussing politics. Period.
JULIA: Hank, if it helps, colonists up and down the Eastern seaboard were accustomed to having public days of thanksgiving. Lots of prayer, not necessarily feasting. And our official date of the third Thursday in November comes from President Lincoln's proclamation of a day to give thanks for Union victories over Confederate forces. So... moderately qualified yay?
Now it’s your turn, dear readers. Cut-n-paste the questions below and share your Thanksgiving plans with us! (Canadians, I haven’t forgotten you - let us know what happened to you on October 11…)
1. Friends, family, or just you?
2. Stoneware and whatever glasses you can find, or china and crystal?
3. Turkey: fresh or frozen? Rubbed, brined or whatever the newest thing is?
4. What’s your must-have side?
5. Potential Thanksgiving disaster you must avert?
