Posted in Home Organization

It's hard to believe that we are once again nearing Thanksgiving Day.  Wow!  It seems like it was just a few weeks ago that I was preparing last year's dinner!  I must say, time does seem to find a way of getting away from me at times.  I only tend to realize that when I come up for air and notice the date on the calendar, though.  Whew!

Of course, the snow that's been flying and the frigid temperatures gave me a clue, too, that we are heading out of Autumn and getting ready for Winter.  Brrr!  Deer hunting season (with firearms) begins next Monday here in West Virginia, and I know the hunters are glad to see some of the snow.  Problem is, in the mountains where most of the major hunting goes on, they've seen well over a foot of snow already and more coming down!  Not good for deer hunting from what I hear!  To my understanding, the hunters prefer a light coating of snow to make it easier to track their dinner and then drag it out afterwards.  Oh, well, best of luck to them!  This is a big season here in the state--millions of dollars pour in from hunters around the country.  They just seem to like our deer and our mountains.  Of course, Snowshoe Ski Resort is opening (its either today or next Friday--I forget which one now), and they've had a wonderful natural snow pack falling.  Added to it is their manmade snow and the slopes are more than ready! 

I'm out of school for the next week and will be spending time preparing my home for guests, and doing the prep work for our big meal.  I've done this for so many years its become quite easy to me.  I don't have to think about it anymore--I just do it.  However, I'm teaching my grandchildren about it, so thought I'd share a bit with you here.  (I'm also working on the Nuggets of Wisdom Newsletter!  Hopefully it will be out in the next few days!)

I remember well the first year I was married to the father of my children.  We were married on November 10, and Thanksgiving Dinner was in our home just a couple of weeks later!  His sister and her family came, and I know I was in a panic!  You see, I'd spent my whole life around wonderful cooks who always prepared the meals for each holiday.  My precious Mama had restaurants down around Beckley when her natural children were small, and they all grew up in her kitchens.  By the time I was adopted, they took care of everything major like holiday meals.  However, I am a master of observation, and much of my learning came through that means.

That first holiday meal was somewhat simplified, compared to what I fix now, but it was quite good.  I already knew how to prepare the stuffing (that was always my "job"--helping Mama make the stuffing each year), mashed potatoes, the veggies, the gravy, and the pies.  Our dinner rolls that year were store-bought (yikes!), but they were quite good (if I remember correctly, they came from Publix's Danish Bakery which is known for its wonderful breads!).  However, that blasted turkey threw me!  I read the directions, and yes, was a bit stumped when it said to clean the bird.  Well, like any good daughter, I called my Mama!  She came right over early that day and showed me how to wash out and clean the bird, stuff it, butter it down, and roast it.  It turned out excellently and I still prepare it the same way today!

Except for my new sister-in-law telling me that I should use white pepper instead of black pepper in my mashed potatoes (yes, I still use black pepper--I don't care for white pepper!), the meal went off without a hitch.  However, after eating, things were quite a bit different from what I was used to. 

As I said earlier, I have a very large family.  My precious Mama had 8 natural children and then adopted me later in her life.  Her children were nearly all grown and out on their own by the time I came along (except for my special sister who was still at home and in high school), so holiday dinners were always large.  Everyone pitched in and cooked, and afterward, plates were scraped, stacked, and washed while others put the food away.  By the time the dishes were washed, the food was divided up and ready to go home with everyone, and then we all pitched in to dry and put away the dishes.  The floors were swept and the kitchen was tidy once again.

Not so after that first "guest dinner" in my new home!  Noooo--after eating, everyone headed to the living room and left me alone to clean up.  Oh, my!  Well, I once again felt overwhelmed, but managed to get through it and go to bed that night with a spotless kitchen. 

What brought all of this to mind today was an article I came across online.... http://housekeeping.about.com/od/cleaning101/a/bigmealcleanup.htm

How I wish I'd had that article back then!  It really is quite good, and I plan to print it off and put it in my homemaking binder.  I'll simplify it a bit to use while teaching my grandchildren this year, but keep in mind that they're 6 and 8 years old!  Old enough to learn, but young enough for simpler instructions. 

I do hope this article helps you, especially if you're a new homemaker facing your first big holiday meal.  It really isn't hard--just take the time to plan your work and then work your plan.  I'll be writing a few more entries here over the next couple of days about surviving a big holiday meal when its in your home, and I pray they help you this year!

In the meantime, have a lovely weekend, and don't stress yourself out.  Just remember...plan your work and then work your plan.  Simple!

Hugs,

Cynthia Robin