I have done ThanksG dinner for our family for the last 7 or 8 years. I usually go all out on ingredients, make everything from raw ingredients and try to do something special/new every year. Yesterday morning I had gotten up, threw on a long skirt and comfy top, woke up with some coffee. I got into the kitchen at 8:00, prepping for our normal 2PM meal.
My menu:
Herb-brined turkey, butterflied and roasted at high heat (450 degrees, 90 minutes. Honest!!)
Hearty gravy from the drippings and bits
Apple and pecan herbed stuffling
Cranberry sauce (locally grown berries)
Mixed red & Idaho smashed potatoes with cream, butter and swiss cheese
Roasted buttercup squash glazed with honey and balsamic vinegar
Brown sugar glazed carrots
Fresh Haricot Vert (French 'long beans', kind of like thin green beans)
Pearl onions in cream sauce
I bought Irish butter for an extra bit of flavor for the breads
Mom brought the bread & an apple crumble pie, my brother brought a 'squmpkin' pie (He mixed up his cans, so it was 50/50 squash & pumkin), and my daughter brought cookies with mixed PB and chocolate chips (/drool).
How does this relate to CD'ing? Well, I didn't get to leave the kitchen that morning. I didn't get the chance to shower. I didn't get the chance to change into 'nice clothes' for the occasion. When people arrived, I will still in my skirt & top, bare feet & anklets, dripping sweat.
Nobody raised an eyebrow. Nobody said a word. Everyone had a great time.
Ok.. my wife did say something. After everyone left, she said 'I'm so glad you were just able to be yourself today!"
<3
- MM