Peace and Love in the Kitchen

My mother orders the turkey from a caterer. The only dish she cooks is her gumbo, and she does that the day before. She delegates the sides and the desserts and then she concentrates on getting her house ready. She sets tables in the dinning room and the breakfast room and then adds card tables with round table tops that seat 6 as needed in various places around the house. She covers all the tables with linen table cloths and napkins, and she sets them with crystal, silver, and her fine china. There is a special children’s table with child-appropriate dishes and plastic glasses. She orders fresh flowers for each table and then prepares her buffet for all the food. It is a big production, but all of the work is complete the day before Thanksgiving.

I love going to her house for Thanksgiving. I love it not just because it is easy for me but because her efforts make everyone there feel special. There are cocktails and hugs for everyone when you walk in the door. There are loud conversations and outbursts of laughter, especially when my aunt and uncle, cousins and their children, sister in-laws in-laws, and their grandchildren are there. We eat our gumbo in the living room and then walk through the buffet for the main course. We find our place cards at the table and sit down, say a blessing, and then eat. The children rush through their meal to get to the dessert, but the adults take a long pause. We clear the dishes and put on the coffee. Then, we trickle up to the dessert buffet. There is usually apple and pecan pie.

Since I host Christmas dinner, it is my Thanksgiving assignment to bring the pecan pie. I have an amazing pecan pie recipe. I do not cook it for Thanksgiving. It is not because my pecan pie is inferior. It is not. It is because it just wouldn’t be Thanksgiving if the pie didn’t come from Goode and Company BBQ. They do make the best pecan pies. You can order them by mail or you can go by and pick one up. If you are local, go early before the crowd arrives. The pie speaks for itself, but for those who really want to get down and dirty, I also pick up some Haagen Daz vanilla ice cream and Somebody’s Mother’s Chocolate Sauce for serving on the side.

Note: Goode Company pies can be shipped anywhere. In their wooden boxes, they make wonderful hostess gifts as well as Christmas presents. Ditto for Somebody’s Mothers dessert sauces which are as scrumptious as they are charming.

If you are in a quandary over Thanksgiving, I suggest following in the footsteps of my mother. Delegate. A potluck Thanksgiving is good for everyone. It takes a heavy load off of the hostess and it gives everyone an opportunity to contribute.

Once you have given or perhaps received your Thanksgiving assignment, you will need to cook. It is a special day and you only have to bring one thing, so make it something good. Here are some places for inspiring Thanksgiving dishes:

The New York Times:
Thanksgiving Cooking
The Minimalist: 101 Head Starts on the Day

Gourmet Magazine: Thanksgiving
Martha Stewart: Everything Thanksgiving
The Washington Post: Holiday Guide

Note: Before you eat your beautiful meal, remember to thank God for it and for everything else you have. Look for the good in everything and everyone. Be generous with your time, attention, and love.

May your Thanksgiving be filled with peace and love in your kitchen and at your table,

Waverly