I’m a fan of parties. I love parties. I love hanging out with my friends.
I especially love them when someone else is hosting the party!
Well, no more.
My dearest husband who I adore has wanted to throw a traditional Thanksgiving for years. And I’m usually like, seriously?
I guess this year he’s serious. It’s actually happening.
**Laura breathes into a brown paper bag**
The invites were sent out and they were hilarious. I keep trying to convince him to write middle grade nonfiction…maybe someday.
He’s all romanticizing the whole ordeal.
I’m like how do we feed forty people? You know how much turkey that is? Have you thought about details? Like drinks? And the fact that it might be snowing? Or raining?
He’s like no problem.
Well, everyone we invited responded enthusiastically. Some will be trying out recipes from the Plimouth Plantation cookbook. That got my husband excited.
I’m thinking. What if we run out of food? Should I have the Chinese Take out on speed dial? How do we keep food warm? I only have so many outlets for crock pots.
**Laura grabs the brown paper bag again.**
So what’s on the menu?
- Turkey cooked over a fire hanging from a string. (Yeah, we tried it today and only the bottom half cooked. Thankfully I’m the detail person and told him to experiment! So on the big day it will be two small chickens cooked over the fire from a string.)
- Turkey on the rotisserie.
- Fish.
- Venison.
- Clams/mussels.
- Butternut squash and apples – my one addition besides cleaning the entire house.
- Sweet breads.
- Baked Beans.
- Clam chowder.
- Pies/cookies.
Thankfully, we’re not providing it all. Just the turkey, chicken and venison.
I’m not freaking out yet because I’m in denial. I’m pretending it’s not really happening. And I told my husband that he’s in charge.
I’ll let you know how it goes after this weekend!
And in other news, have you signed up for the INDIE-giving blogfest? You do not need to be a published author or self published to participate. It’s for anyone.
And in other other news, How To Survive Ancient Spells and Crazy Kings is releasing next Wednesday! Eek. And the blog tour starts December 3rd.
So does anyone know of any pilgrim Thanksgiving games to keep the kids from tearing my house apart. Specifically outdoor games?
Just the thought of that many people in my house would cause me to panic!
It will be all right.
And if all else fails, take out works.
I know I’m panicking too. I told him this was a trial year. He wants to make it an annual thing.
A turkey cooked by hanging it over a fire from a string?
A “traditional” Thanksgiving feast sounds like something my husband would want to do — but I’m not sure even he would go that far!
I know, that crazy isn’t it? If he could go back in time and live with the pioneers he would in a heart beat.
Good luck Laura. I’m sure once you get through the details it will be great.
I’m sure the Pilgrims didn’t play it, but I always think of football as being a traditional Thanksgiving sport to play outside.
Funny. With the year my family has had, I’ve been wanting to NOT have a traditional Thanksgiving. But we probably will.
He means traditional as in let’s go back in time. Sorry you’ve had a tough year! Hugs.
Sounds major, can’t wait to hear how it goes! I don’t know about Pilgrim games, but for Joy’s birthday party last weekend we did an outdoor autumn-themed scavenger hunt that the kids seems to love. Another thing they loved? The red, orange, and yellow balloons we blew up and let them bat around and chase. Good luck!
Scavenger hunt is good but we have a lot of middle schoolers. Not sure if they’re too cool for that or not.
I’m sure it will be fine! But yeah, hosting Thanksgiving is a chore. Ugh. I can barely enjoy the food because I’ve stressed over it so much.
But the menu sounds delish! I want to see pics of the spread!
It will be great. REALLY! People will show up and take care of themselves, and help you out too boot. It’s like magic. They’ll rearrange the furniture if necessary (actually happened at one of my parties to make more room).
I laughed throughout your post, Laura! I’m so glad it’s you and not me. But, I have to admit, your menu looks wonderful.
Won’t the string burn if it’s hanging over a fire?
For some crazy reason, it doesn’t. We experimented. 🙂 You spin it and let go so the turkey spins.
HUGS. I’m hosting a small family Thanksgiving and my inlaws want to eat out? I’m making them stay in and eat my food. 😉 mwhwhahaha!
Frightening. I would move. That many people…and that much food…no wait, I’m probably not helping. *Hands over the paper bag.* It is Thanksgiving so surely you will make it. And then you can be thankful when it is over.
The food sounds good. Maybe you should plan for 41. I will be the shadow in the corner.
Good luck, Laura!! If it’s any comfort, remember, these are your friends and family who love you so they’re going to be in your corner about everything.
Okay, you’re cracking me up with the brown paper bag 🙂 Sounds like it’ll be a fun day. Though I’d probably need the bag if 40 people were descending on my house too!