Thanksgiving is, in fact, our absolute all-time favorite holiday, being as it is devoid of political, religious, or romantic overtones and instead focusing all its holiday powers on the consumption of food. Much of which is covered in delicious, delicious gravy. -MenuPages Chicago blog
Although I could have crashed another family's Thanksgiving (last year with the Meckels was a hilariously good time), this year there were sufficient numbers of people hanging out in Chicago, so it made sense to cook our own meal. My first Thanksgiving without adults doing the cooking! Fear not, unlike the last time I cooked with a group of people, there were no fires this time. In fact, I'd say we had all the elements of a classic Thanksgiving day, including:
I. A megaton of food
As it so happens, everyone else was vegetarian, and I am pretty much a flexitarian, so that meant this would be a beast-less feast. However, Ricky still wanted a "traditional" meal, or as close to it as you could get sans turkey. (I scrapped my plan to have a fondue party instead.) The menu was as follows:
I. A megaton of food
As it so happens, everyone else was vegetarian, and I am pretty much a flexitarian, so that meant this would be a beast-less feast. However, Ricky still wanted a "traditional" meal, or as close to it as you could get sans turkey. (I scrapped my plan to have a fondue party instead.) The menu was as follows:
- Soy "chicken" cutlets
- Mashed potatoes
- Gravy
- Green bean casserole
- Pumpkin pie
- Biscuits
- Cornbread and broccoli rabe strata
- Curried lentils with sweet potato and napa
II. Heated argument in the kitchen
I'll just say that there was quite a brouhaha over whether we were serving pumpkin pie versus pumpkin scones or pumpkin bread. In this case, the conservative movement won.
III. Declarations of thanks, preferably inappropriate
As Ricky and I were mid-fork and about to chow down, Chris interrupted us with the obligatory "let's go around the table and say something we're thankful for!" He then launches into tirade of sorts, giving thanks that we were gathered here today not under the guise of religion.
IV. Relatives, preferably ones you see no more than once a year
Chris' mom, brother, and the brother's girlfriend stopped by for a brief visit after their own Thanksgiving fete, which is unusual since he rarely talks to them (even though his mom lives nearby in the suburbs). I can't say too much about the kin because after a brief round of introductions, the Family started chatting in the kitchen, while the Friends retreated to the living room. However, Chris' brother does share his uncanny knack for memorizing lines from TV shows. Perhaps the highlight of the visit was when Chris brought up the recent election (purely to agitate the waters some more). His (Republican) mom said something to the effect of, "Sometimes you need a Democrat in the White House, but I don't know..."
Chris: Yeah, we don't want the minorities getting too much power. I mean, look at China!
Family, in kitchen: [dead silence] [crickets]
Friends, in living room: HAHAHAHAHA!
Since the off-color political joke didn't go over so well, Chris then tried to navigate to safer waters, namely, embarrassing childhood stories about himself.
Mom: Yeah, like the time they elected you class president and then the school decided they couldn't possibly have someone like you at the head of the class. They called me and said, "We know this is supposed to be a democratic process, but with your son's behavior record..." I told them I completely understood, but they still insisted that a formal disbarment had to take place. The teachers were there, the principal was there, the school psychologist was there...
V. Staring at the TV in a gluttonous stupor
In my younger days, I used to be a big fan of watching whatever "Wonderful World of Disney" or "Charlie Brown" special aired at night. This year, post-meal digestion was accompanied by a season of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" DVDs. If you haven't seen this show, it's excellent, and has the irreverent humor embodied by Lucille from "Arrested Development." We were also on a roll with the PS2 playing, until we broke the Gran Turismo disc. Oops.
Finally, on an unrelated note, the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade Rick Roll was awesomely executed. It never ceases to amaze me how an obscure '80s star has found new life with the popularity of this seemingly-random internet meme. Go Rick Astley!
I'll just say that there was quite a brouhaha over whether we were serving pumpkin pie versus pumpkin scones or pumpkin bread. In this case, the conservative movement won.
III. Declarations of thanks, preferably inappropriate
As Ricky and I were mid-fork and about to chow down, Chris interrupted us with the obligatory "let's go around the table and say something we're thankful for!" He then launches into tirade of sorts, giving thanks that we were gathered here today not under the guise of religion.
IV. Relatives, preferably ones you see no more than once a year
Chris' mom, brother, and the brother's girlfriend stopped by for a brief visit after their own Thanksgiving fete, which is unusual since he rarely talks to them (even though his mom lives nearby in the suburbs). I can't say too much about the kin because after a brief round of introductions, the Family started chatting in the kitchen, while the Friends retreated to the living room. However, Chris' brother does share his uncanny knack for memorizing lines from TV shows. Perhaps the highlight of the visit was when Chris brought up the recent election (purely to agitate the waters some more). His (Republican) mom said something to the effect of, "Sometimes you need a Democrat in the White House, but I don't know..."
Chris: Yeah, we don't want the minorities getting too much power. I mean, look at China!
Family, in kitchen: [dead silence] [crickets]
Friends, in living room: HAHAHAHAHA!
Since the off-color political joke didn't go over so well, Chris then tried to navigate to safer waters, namely, embarrassing childhood stories about himself.
Mom: Yeah, like the time they elected you class president and then the school decided they couldn't possibly have someone like you at the head of the class. They called me and said, "We know this is supposed to be a democratic process, but with your son's behavior record..." I told them I completely understood, but they still insisted that a formal disbarment had to take place. The teachers were there, the principal was there, the school psychologist was there...
V. Staring at the TV in a gluttonous stupor
In my younger days, I used to be a big fan of watching whatever "Wonderful World of Disney" or "Charlie Brown" special aired at night. This year, post-meal digestion was accompanied by a season of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" DVDs. If you haven't seen this show, it's excellent, and has the irreverent humor embodied by Lucille from "Arrested Development." We were also on a roll with the PS2 playing, until we broke the Gran Turismo disc. Oops.
Finally, on an unrelated note, the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade Rick Roll was awesomely executed. It never ceases to amaze me how an obscure '80s star has found new life with the popularity of this seemingly-random internet meme. Go Rick Astley!
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