When I gave up controlling our family Thanksgiving, I cannot say.
When I took control of Thanksgiving (and other holidays) from my mother is another story.
It began many years before circumstances limited her participation. Whether it was watching public television or collecting cookbooks or sharing time and space with women and men who enjoyed cooking, I started out planning menus.
My mother followed those plans. We had crackling duck one year. We made individual Cornish Game Hens stuffed with grapes for 28 another year. I tried stuffings versus her cornbread dressing and the dressing always won.
We were a good team, my mother and I.
Something happened and taking care of Thanksgiving came too expensive or too stressful or I could not do it without my mother or without complete control and I asked (or told) my sister to host the holiday. That first year, I think I gave her a menu and a shopping list.
To her credit, she did not kill me. She followed the menu.
Convinced that the holiday could not possibly be a success without me, I arrived with too many supplemental dishes.
As I say, she did not kill me and this says volumes about my sister.
My sister Janet choreographs a lovely family Thanksgiving for us.
Without a menu or shopping list from me.
This year, it will be on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Due to the UT / Aggie game, which is going to be on Thanksgiving Day and my sister, an Aggie, has tickets.
So tomorrow, I will choreograph a small Thanksgiving for our mother and brother and my son Nick and his Lady Jane. I like the menu
* Turkey with Lemon Thyme Butter (& gravy)
* Cornbread Dressing
* Yam Casserole with Oranges & Pecans
* Brussel Sprouts
* Cranberry Sauce (my recipe)
* Home Made Yeast Rolls
* Cherry Pie
* Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread
On Friday, I hope that my sister’s menu will include her incredible carrot soufflé. I know that the day will include family and friends and laughter.
The rest is just dressing. Cornbread, of course.
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