Gobble Gobble…

Thanksgiving is pretty ho-hum for me usually.  Not because I have a problem with the holiday itself but simply because it’s never been a really big deal  Yes, we partake in stuffing ourselves each year by finding some poor family to take us in, and we spend time with friends more often than not, but it’s really never been a big deal.

At least not since I moved out of my parents house the first time.  I don’t recall ever preparing a meal on my own, which is good, because I’m not particuarly good in the kitchen, although I can make a mean turkey.  (Doesn’t mean I WANT to, I just can.)  And my contribution is always the pumpkin cheesecake.  It’s what I know how to make.  It’s what I like to make.  It’s what I’m good at.

While we were living with my parents, they traveled over the Turkey holiday and they would take the kids with them since I had to work and had school.  I normally would be adopted by my friend Jackie or Sondra, sometimes both.  I’m not above floating from house to house to eat and I always hate turning down invitations.  When someone invites me to a special ordeal at their home, typically reserved for family, I am very honored and never want to turn them down.

When I moved to Richmond, I came home for Thanksgiving, I think.  And in the years after that, the kids and I have always been invited somewhere.  I bring the cheesecake.

Last year, we had an orphan dinner at church and Pastor Man and I prepared most of the meal.  I contributed the turkey, the green bean casserole, and the cheesecake.  It was a darn good turkey.  My ex-husband joined us, along with a few other members of the church that didn’t have family in the area and we had a good time.

And this year?  They boy’s asked us for Thanksgiving dinner.  Which means I get to help bake and cook.  I’m kinda excited about it but really only because I can cook at his house where he has an oven and a stove that actually work the way they are supposed to.

But everyone that is coming will have already been to another T-day meal throughout the day… well everyone but me.

But it’s the principal, I guess.  We went grocery shopping for the things that we’ll need.  I don’t know who we thought we were going to feed, but I’m sure we could feed a small army.

But I’m kinda excited about it.  This time it’s my meal, or our meal, or something like that.  I’m not going off to just show up and eat at someone else’s house as a guest.  That’s kinda cool.

And I guess if everyone else is full, that’s just more food that I can eat because I won’t have to fight anyone for it…

And there will be lots of leftovers which is also good.  That means I can get away without cooking for at least a few days.

And days without cooking is good, any way you look at it.

Until next time…