My very special nephew is an ER nurse so his busy schedule sometimes prevents us from having our family holiday get-togethers at the usual time.
This time, instead of having it on November 23rd, we had our time together this past Saturday.
Therefore, we were able to relax 2 weeks ago. However, this past week was an extremely busy one. I prepared the lup cheong (Chinese sausage) stuffing on Tuesday. It required a LOT of prep work to get all the ingredients chopped and ready to mix with mochi rice. I then froze it.
Wednesday was the day to clean the house, get the buffet tables set up with all the take-home containers for family to take home left overs.
Thursday: We were gone just about all day for lots of tests, mostly for me at the Tripler Hospital.
Friday: Crazy day to prepare stuffing for the turkey, cooking my flan, roasting sweet potatoes, etc. However it was brining the turkey that turned out to be the most arduous of all. We'd bought a 21 pound turkey. No, we didn't need such a big turkey. Sigh... When you add the brine it would make it very heavy. If you put it into our sturdy giant soup pot, it would be very, very heavy. I was envisioning our glass shelf in the refrigerator breaking.
So we went out and bought a brining bag. That's when I learned with that big brining bag, the whole turkey wouldn't get covered with the solution. We tried propping it up, but it still wasn't great. In the end, we put it in the smaller soup pot and added more water. It sort of worked but was still heavy.
Saturday: Art prepared his pumpkin pie, while I chopped and diced what mom would need for her signature macaroni salad. She wanted to make it for the family as she'd always done.
And just around that time we saw something that sent shock waves and fear into our hearts. Termite droppings!!!
And it was all over the floor. Mom often cleans the kitchen floor almost daily, so we just missed this. When I opened the drawers, I saw more termite poop. Arrrghhh!
However, we were plugging along. Turkey was roasting and we waited for mom to wake up so she could start her macaroni salad. That's when we realized that even with the recipe in hand, she couldn't do it. So I needed to do 95% of the preparation while watching mom to make sure she did not forget and continuously add something where it wasn't supposed to go.
Yes, it was stressful and took twice the time anticipated which made our turkey carving late. It also delayed our making the gravy.
My brother and family arrived while Art was trying to carve what he could of the turkey and then we dashed upstairs to change our clothes and freshen up. We were really tired.
When we came down again, it was joyous to see everybody again.
We took several photos before we got one we liked.
Everybody brought several dishes to share. There was more than enough food and definitely enough for everyone to bring some home for dinner the following night.
And this year, like last year younger people were given the OK to take over duties like the distribution of desserts, helping with left-over packing, cleaning up, etc.
It was wonderful!
And if that wasn't enough wonderfulness, our neighbor surprised us with her church group to sing Christmas carols and dance the hula for us.
How much more wonderful can a Thanksgiving be?
Buuut... I'm thinking that when it's our turn to make the turkey again, Kentucky Fried chicken would be the way to go.
We don't do a full turkey anymore. We get a turkey breast (if we get turkey at all) and do dressing in a pan. It seems to take less of an effort, and it is good. I am not not what we'll do for Christmas.
ReplyDeleteSome of our grocery stores will roast turkeys and sell them; in fact, some of them will sell whole Thanksgiving meals.
ReplyDeleteWhy such a large turkey? So there would be leftovers? I don't think I've ever made one that big. There was so much food and many more meals for everyone. What did you do about the termites? Is that another blog post?
ReplyDeleteIt's a lot of work to host a crowd. I hope there will be more information about the termites. So scary!
ReplyDeleteI've never seen termite poo, just the damage. Oh my, I imagine they can move fast in your nice climate. Ok, take some breaths and rest a bit, then call those termite guys. I thought it was Art's parents who ran a restaurant. Certainly looks like you all opened one this week. That was nice of you to schedule it around your nephew's work days. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteBe very glad you haven't seen those termite poop. Granted, you said you've seen the damage. I'm told the drywood termite eat slowly. (So why is there so much poop?) I've called Aloha Termite and an estimator expert is coming over tomorrow to check it out and give his recommendation. I just don't want to tent the whole house. That is not fun!
DeleteLin Floyd-we did turkey breast only and it worked great for our small group for dinner-hubby and I!
ReplyDeleteIn all these years, I have never thought once to prepare the to-go containers ahead of time. I am always standing on our small ladder digging them out of the cabinet over our refrigerator WHILE guests are packing up their food to take home. I need to remember this next time so I can avoid that hassle!
ReplyDeleteI can never shake that feeling of what a waste it is to prepare food for days only to be done eating 15 minutes after starting. I temper it though with how nice it is to see other family and friends and have a great conversation while eating.
We gave up hosting the extended family get togethers as circumstances evolved, and I also was able to give up roasting a turkey, which I have never enjoyed. Now we have an occasional turkey thigh or drumstick meal, and a half breast to feed our picky tiny dog, but no more big dead birds. I highly recommend this approach! Having said that, your family party looks like it was lots of fun, especially with the carolers and dancers!
ReplyDeleteCeci
It really was a super party because we haven't been together since January. I'd host more often if it wasn't so much work.
DeleteI love this glimpse of your life, Kay. Well. Except for the termite poop. But everything else was great! I love your family.
ReplyDeleteLove the family photo!
ReplyDeleteI hear you. And thank you for reminding me about the brining. My mother, all her married life, canned fruit and made preserves all late summer and fall. When her memory started to fail her, she needed to do all her preserving, but could not manage it alone. If I started a batch, though, she could pick up and carry on if she was involved. So I would go with her to choose the fruit, get the equipment set up and, once she engaged, step back a bit in case she faltered. It was hard. But, when you think about how much work a child is for the mother, paying back just some of the time and energy and worry is not just fair, it feels right.
ReplyDeleteSince I moved to my own private space downstairs, this year was the last year I host a turkey lunch for family. Now the responsibility goes to the daughter who moved in. Phew! It is so stressful to clean, prepare and do logistics, even though I bought the turkey package from Lanakila Kitchen. Kentucky Fried Chicken sounds wonderful in anticipation of next year, but I still want to make mochi rice stuffing just because it is so delicious! And maybe I will make a pumpkin pie from scratch (this year's one was a disaster in my new kitchen), and I do like making yams with marshmallow topping. We shall see how it goes.
ReplyDeleteI think at our age the new generation has to take over and make their own Thanksgiving tradition however it may look like. I know when I got married in my 20s I took over the turkey and Christmas dinners but our family is small so I was very lucky. Eventually the older gen ages out of it and it's the Next Generation to step up. Ordering turkey to go is an expensive deal but if one has $200 to $300 then go for it. While Hyatt had their own turkey to go for many years it was very reasonably priced but for some reason they discontinued it. Others now offer it but to me the prices are Sky High and they're not as good as Hyatt's was. What I did do for the seniors in our senior housing was to cook a turkey breast and shared it with my neighbors that I'm friendly with . They really appreciated it because most folks this age no longer even cook. Surprisingly a lot of seniors do not have families . Maybe they all go out to them but I didn't see anyone picking them up . I think these holiday traditions are important for families to stay in touch so I hope to see that continue. BB
ReplyDeleteI've heard what those cooked turkey prices are like. I'm still thinking Popeyes or Zippy's or Kentucky Fried chicken might not be a bad way to go unless somebody else would like to do the turkey. You are absolutely wonderful to get meals for those who cannot cook anymore. It is sad isn't it when seniors don't have loved ones around. I miss our children and grandchildren.
DeleteThat was a huge group to prepare for. There were only seven of us at Thanksgiving dinner, and I was pooped. Our daughter (who could not be present) had sent the vegan pumpkin pie and Chad's mother had brought cranberry salsa and two loaves of pumpkin bread which our granddaughter had helped her make. I have no idea how you fed such a huge crowd, or even had room for them all.
ReplyDeleteOur church had Christmas dinner after church yesterday and it was all prepared by a local grocery store--fried chicken, potato salad, spinach salad, rolls, and two kinds of cake. Just setting up and serving was a huge job. We are all old people, so we farm out as many jobs as possible. Another crew came in and did the cleanup.
Preparing a meal is a lot of work . Preparing a special meal really lots of work. However you had a good time.
ReplyDeleteYour blog is simply wonderful. I'm impressed by your post and your beautiful photos. I enjoyed reading about how the final “Thanksgiving get-together/dinner” was with you and the family. Thank you for sharing this family fun with us. I wish you well, dear friend, Have a blessed week!
ReplyDeleteThe food looks and sounds wonderful--but what a lot of work and stress! I think buying an already cooked turkey is worth the price. I love the idea of already organized take home containers, brilliant!
ReplyDeleteIt was stressful but you did it. It turned out to be a wonderful celebration of thankfulness.
ReplyDeleteThis was a happy feast. And next year it will be a bit more streamlined.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful family! Thanks to your wonderful nephew for being a nurse they are lifesavers!
ReplyDeleteJamie here: Glad you got to celebrate, no matter how late. The important thing is to enjoy it all.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! And it was wonderful to see everyone.
DeleteMe too! I am glad to hear it was so successful, with all the stops and starts included. That termite problem, though... But thank you for the wonderful family pictures. You are fortunate indeed.
ReplyDeleteWhat a festive day! A a great family photo, too.
ReplyDeleteKay, I give you and Art a lot of credit for even hosting that many people, it's stressful but your family must look forward to it and love you for it. Robbie's mom use to do 20+ lbs every year.... Of course we would have lift it in and out of the oven for her....so heavy!
ReplyDeleteHad the same termite droppings in my kitchen cabinet months ago...find the opening and I recommend using Term Out. Good for spot treatment.
Bonny ogg
Hi Bonny! Happy Holidays to you and Robbie. I can't seem to find the hole where the termites might be. Looks like we're going to have to remove the cabinet and bring it to the gas vault to have it fumigated. I just hope it hasn't spread to any of the other cabinets. Or... I hope I don't start seeing termite poop dropping out of the other cabinets. Dang!
DeleteA lot of work.
ReplyDeleteA truly wonderful family Thanksgiving, lovely family photographs.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
A wonderful celebration Kay! Always a lot of preparation but it all came together beautifully from all those smiling faces. And the young ones cleared up? Perfect! Having awakened to an awful termite swarm in our living room years ago, it still sends shivers thinking about it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a time you had! Ah, your dear mother... Our Thanksgiving was in the city. I think Christmas is here. My SIL always cooks.
ReplyDeleteHi Kay, I'm late reading about your belated Thanksgiving. But gosh, yes, it is a lot of work and I wonder how long I can continue to host it at our place. But if the kids want to come home, I will never stop them. They just may have to take over some of the cooking (which they did this year). Your family pictures are wonderful... and will add to your memories. So glad it all worked out so well.
ReplyDeleteMy brother is a nurse but he always seems to get the holidays off. But he's been working at the hospital for a long time I think he got in a position where he could afford to do that
ReplyDelete