Chaos in the Quiet
Every Thanksgiving is different.
I started my Thanksgiving Day morning by letting the dog out. I was unpaired for what I was about to experience outside. It was cold. It was quiet. There were no cars driving by. No buses. No kids outside. It was just me and the dog. It was a weird feeling for a Thursday, but refreshing thinking about what everyone else could be doing. I typically would be getting ready for work (news doesn’t stop for the holidays) but I’m grateful for the day off from my news station and getting to spend it with family. As I looked up and down my block every house had a light on from what I could see. I was started to picture the bustle inside the houses. Foreshadowing my morning to come.
Chaos in the Kitchen
Preparing a Thanksgiving meal on Thursday morning can definitely feel chaotic! This was my first year ever hosting Thanksgiving in my home. I’ve always been the daughter or niece to go with the flow and bring something easy to make. This year was a good test run for the challenge with just a small gathering. I didn’t realize there would be so much to juggle, from getting everything in the oven early enough to make sure it's cooked perfectly, to preparing all the side dishes like mashed potatoes, all the casseroles, and desserts. Plus, there's usually a lot of last-minute chopping, mixing, and baking. Timing is everything, and it can be stressful trying to get everything ready at the same time. Below is the cheat sheet I made to make sure I was going to end up on time for lunch and guests were arriving! It's a whirlwind of activity, but the end result is a delicious meal and a great time with family and friends!
I think back to standing outside with my dog, before my day started in the kitchen. I’m thankful for those moments of peace and quiet in the chaos.
Happy Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Shop Small Saturday!
Here's a fun Thanksgiving trivia question for you: What year was the first Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade?
A) 1920
B) 1924
C) 1930
D) 1935
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No shame in using instant potatoes. I’ve had the responsibility of Thanksgiving dinner for the 3 of us since 2020. I also use Stove Top stuffing and use broth instead of water to Gussie it up. Packet gravy mix as a base for the gravy again using the turkey broth made from the neck this year.