tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119996845182958780.post438008658568088606..comments2024-03-26T04:27:54.485-06:00Comments on Du Wax Loolu: HolidaysJesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15942269316108576622noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119996845182958780.post-50762955562904026022010-10-15T03:37:38.862-06:002010-10-15T03:37:38.862-06:00I'd really love to know how you'll figure ...I'd really love to know how you'll figure out your holiday traditions with your little one. My husband is Scottish, I am German = different traditions. This year will be the first year where our little girl will be fully aware of what's happening and how it's happening - she is 2 years and 5 months old now. I am not 100% sure how we'll deal with it all, but we definitely want to include both of our traditions.The Lasshttp://nomagicpill.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119996845182958780.post-41918359052364762352010-10-08T16:40:40.641-06:002010-10-08T16:40:40.641-06:00Cooking a turkey IS easy. I made my first turkey o...Cooking a turkey IS easy. I made my first turkey on my first married Thanksgiving for thirty people. The turkey was the easy part. I know everyone will give you advice, but I use the turkey bags (made by Glad or Ziploc or someone.) No basting, and it comes out super moist.Mama Bubhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04521543145593543128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119996845182958780.post-26001164859678818082010-10-07T11:54:47.509-06:002010-10-07T11:54:47.509-06:00I'm going with Mr. Darcy to New Jersey for Tha...I'm going with Mr. Darcy to New Jersey for Thanksgiving and he's staying in Seattle to celebrate Christmas with my family. THEN! we're going away for 5 days to the Oregon coast to celebrate a year together and NYE...it's our anniversary/holiday gift to each other.Sizzlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00182860438430294750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119996845182958780.post-20588879263093288332010-10-07T03:04:31.841-06:002010-10-07T03:04:31.841-06:00Cooking a turkey really isn't that difficult. ...Cooking a turkey really isn't that difficult. Just make sure to take out the bag of giblets before you cook it (*ahem* not that I'm speaking from experience here or anything). And make sure you baste it frequently so it doesn't dry out. Also, most grocery stores sell just the breast of the turkey, if you don't want to cook a whole one. <br /><br />You can make the side dishes ahead of time if you don't want to spend the whole day cooking. <br /><br />YORKSHIRE PUDDING! It's one of my favorites, too :-)<br /><br />I think you'll really enjoy these holidays with just the two (and Piglet) of you. After this year, it'll never be just the two of you again!Steviehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12153149217472000710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119996845182958780.post-86910089499757969952010-10-06T15:09:13.205-06:002010-10-06T15:09:13.205-06:00OH also, and I don't know how Denver's poo...OH also, and I don't know how Denver's poor compares to the Philly poor, but if you're feeling like you "need to do something" on Thanksgiving last year we did food delivery for an organization called MANNA which feeds the sick, elderly and people with dietetic needs and not much money. It was both happy (yay! fed a family with kids who danced in door over food!) and very depressing (wait did the kid just dance because <em>food</em> was here.), but we felt like we did something nice.Christinehttp://swimming-with-sharks.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119996845182958780.post-40209768577089075632010-10-06T15:00:59.827-06:002010-10-06T15:00:59.827-06:00My parents live in Florida and since we usually se...My parents live in Florida and since we usually see them for/around Christmas, Tony and I always have Thanksgiving by ourselves. It's my favorite holiday and I always make a whole turkey. My advice on nabbing a smaller size: either order one through your butcher or shop for a frozen one in advance. Also, buy a meat thermometer. I had one, it busted, I dried the ever loving heck out of my turkey. But last year's turned out delicious...and you know what, even on a dry turkey the thigh meat is deliciously tender and the breast can always come alive again in a pot pie! <br /><br />I've had Thanksgiving at my sister's and since her husband is allergic to turkey they roast the biggest chicken they can find, and you know what: no one misses the turkey that much. You still get to carve a bird, and it's still delicious.<br /><br />Enjoy either way!Christinehttp://swimming-with-sharks.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119996845182958780.post-40764693875198165462010-10-06T13:49:01.134-06:002010-10-06T13:49:01.134-06:00You can always go volunteer at a homeless shelter ...You can always go volunteer at a homeless shelter or work with a charitable organization. There will certainly be a crowd.Mariannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04934039811097682227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119996845182958780.post-8356730558931549342010-10-06T13:37:21.714-06:002010-10-06T13:37:21.714-06:00I second the turkey breast suggestion. We celebrat...I second the turkey breast suggestion. We celebrated Thanksgiving on our own last year, too, because I had just had Lucy the week before and wasn't feeling up to a 1.5 hr drive. I made my family's traditional meal but, as you said, it was weird with just two of us (ok, three with Lucy) rather than a huge crowd. It was nice, though. Very low key.Cadyhttp://journey1000words.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119996845182958780.post-13187561754977563052010-10-06T13:35:38.426-06:002010-10-06T13:35:38.426-06:00Turkey isn't hard, promise. Butter, seasonings...Turkey isn't hard, promise. Butter, seasonings, voila. If you don't want a ton of leftovers (though I second the commenters above about making LOTS and freezing for after Piglet's debut!) make a turkey breast. You can even cook that in a Crock-Pot, easy-peasy. <br /><br />I think it would be sort of nice to have a quiet little holidays, just the two of you, before the baby arrives. It will be chaotic for many years afterward, so may as well have one last peaceful hurrah. :)bessie.violahttp://www.bessieviola.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119996845182958780.post-56583408704188399812010-10-06T13:11:10.449-06:002010-10-06T13:11:10.449-06:00OOOH, do I have opinions on the subject of thanksg...OOOH, do I have opinions on the subject of thanksgiving!!<br /><br />First, I love Thanksgiving for all the reasons you stated. It's the togetherness without the pressure of presents.<br /><br />We are often alone on Thanksgiving and Christmas, because we are hermits and no one likes us. Just kidding, but I spent my whole childhood on a highway on every holiday and I'm just tired of it. I do family thanksgiving on the saturday, so it's easier for people to come. And I cook on Thursday.<br /><br />The holiday can be special with just the two of you. Personally, I'd opt for a chicken over a turkey breast, because I find that the breast gets so dry. And there's something so enjoyable about carving a bird. That said, get a small (12lb is about the smallest you'll find) turkey and make turkey soup. I'll email you the recipe.<br /><br />Cooking a whole chicken or a whole turkey for that matter is Easy Peasy. Coat it with some olive oil and throw it in the oven, basically. If I can do it, so can you!<br /><br />I've done thanksgiving out of the can and package before, canned veggies and cranberry sauce, stove top stuffing, mashed potatoes, jarred gravy, etc and it was fine. I've also made fancy recipes, too. I have a wild mushroom and sausage stuffing recipe that is TO DIE FOR. Either way, we all loved it. <br /><br />Or, you could just order the whole shebang from Whole Foods. Or get invited over to a friend's house. Especially if they are making a deep fried turkey. Sounds gross, but it is oh so delicious.Type (little) a aka Michelehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18344395100374466233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119996845182958780.post-47874773387858918942010-10-06T12:42:04.733-06:002010-10-06T12:42:04.733-06:00Oh cooking a turkey is easy! As long as you remem...Oh cooking a turkey is easy! As long as you remember to take all the junk inside out, which I forgot the first 3 times I made my own turkey. But, tradition-wise since Hub and I moved in together, I cooked a full Thanksgiving dinner the day after Thanksgiving and we always had his mother over. Last year was the first year without MIL, and my mother was recovering from pneumonia, so I made the full meal for my whole family right on Thanksgiving. I roasted one turkey and Hub deep fried a second one. We had the standard sides, but my masterpiece has become my cornbread dressing. I can’t live without it!<br /><br />You can do a lot with your holiday leftovers. I always make double mashed potatoes and turn them in to potato pancakes. Last year I used our leftover dark meat turkey to make turkey tortilla soup. Thanksgiving food is hearty, and it all freezes beautifully.Salyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13792107257082868851noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119996845182958780.post-41768142251460135032010-10-06T12:25:02.522-06:002010-10-06T12:25:02.522-06:00We started our own traditions when we moved into o...We started our own traditions when we moved into our house. We host Thanksgiving and Christmas is different each year but we promise to be home on Christmas Day each year. Christmas morning has the tradition of cinnamon rolls before anything else. My mom did this and I love continuing the tradition. We eat steak and bp for dinner because it is what we want. Usually the days before the holiday are spent running around like crazy spending time at each and every house but we make sure to get home Christmas eve for our own traditions. <br /><br />As for Thanksgiving, we took over hosting it because my husband grew up going to four houses due to divorce. It was a lot of eating and he never really enjoyed the holiday. This way it is ours and the work is worth the enjoyment of having everyone gorge themselves and then crash at our house. <br /><br />My sister hosts a dinner for our immediate family two nites before Christmas so that we can sit and relax and open presents. This is better than sharing presents with every aunt, uncle and cousin in the room. It is always something simple for dinner like lasagna too. <br /><br />I think all of these things have become our tradition in the past couple of years. <br /><br />This will likely be our last year to travel anywhere for the holidays since I will likely be pregnant next year at Christmas. AHHHHHHHH!Stephaniehttp://wyomingavenue.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119996845182958780.post-3596150701660085452010-10-06T11:44:40.821-06:002010-10-06T11:44:40.821-06:00Hi Jess,
My mom is from Scotland and like you, I ...Hi Jess, <br />My mom is from Scotland and like you, I love yorkshire puddings! The tip she gave me is to make sure your pan and oil/butter are extremely hot before you pour your batter in and place it in the oven. <br /><br />Good luck!!Jessicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10664704482826863410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119996845182958780.post-33704306880346462422010-10-06T11:42:05.095-06:002010-10-06T11:42:05.095-06:00We did thanksgiving on our own one year- it was FA...We did thanksgiving on our own one year- it was FABULOUS. We did a chicken instead of turkey- way easier!SLynnRohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15016804259405363833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119996845182958780.post-7125047662766014192010-10-06T11:36:46.777-06:002010-10-06T11:36:46.777-06:00My suggestions: Just cook a turkey breast. And bri...My suggestions: Just cook a turkey breast. And brining is an excellent way to keep from having a dry turkey. I use Alton Brown's turkey recipe, and I use one of those big ziploc bags that you can store clothes in (found at Target rather than the grocery store), stick all the brine and turkey in there, and just flip it over. He suggests using a bucket or a cooler. Trust me, the ziploc bag is easier. Other than that, cooking a turkey is a piece of cake. Thaw, remove innards, brine, cook, serve.<br /><br />I've hosted Thanksgiving for the past couple of years and have made the turkey for several years before then. But I have a very small family - me and my mom, and we invite a friend or two. This year there will probably be 3 of us. My mom makes the dressing, but I do the mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, gravy, some green vegetable (usually roasted asparagus), and usually a crumb kind of dessert, since I'm the only pumpkin pie lover. Our friend also brings a dish - a salad or another veggie, etc. I don't do sweet potatoes becasue I can't stand them. Even though we're a small group, it's a great meal, and relaxing because we're not all jockeying for space at the table.ericahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13259533708355889797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119996845182958780.post-53733670622605271182010-10-06T11:00:12.262-06:002010-10-06T11:00:12.262-06:00i know what you mean about thanksgiving! but maki...i know what you mean about thanksgiving! but making lots & freezing leftovers DOES sound like a good idea, and i promise you stuffing is totally easy / manageable (and obvs SUPER WORTH IT - my fave part of thanksgiving dinner i think!)<br /><br />also: OMG i had a thanksgiving in france during my year abroad too, and HAAAAAAAAhahahahaaa. our whole group went out to dinner at a restaurant where they tried to make a thanksgiving meal specially for us, and GOOD GODS. it would have been better to just sit at home and eat soup, i think, rather than have such ALMOST-Thanksgiving food that was SO VERY NOT RIGHT.Alicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15287792370490363047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119996845182958780.post-67574602992306698042010-10-06T09:26:18.880-06:002010-10-06T09:26:18.880-06:00Dude - turkeys really aren't hard. You can tot...Dude - turkeys really aren't hard. You can totally do this. (maybe try a practice run this month, just to shore up your confidence.)<br />Thanksgiving is probably my favorite holiday too. :)d e v a nhttp://www.all-d.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119996845182958780.post-22433585849153125922010-10-06T08:53:48.490-06:002010-10-06T08:53:48.490-06:00canadian thanksgiving is this weekend. it isn'...canadian thanksgiving is this weekend. it isn't the same as the american one as we don't really consider it the kick off to the christmas season. a little too early.<br /><br />freezing future meals is a fantastic idea. i did it before the jellybean arrived and was very greatful that i did.<br /><br />roasting a chicken is ridiculously easy. a turkey is a little more work, but not as scary as it seems. i did my first a couple of years ago and it turned out great. i used my friends method of rubbing the breast with a whole stick of butter and basting lots. yumho!<br /><br />good luck!Juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10740293052409345978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119996845182958780.post-77716024568242823602010-10-06T08:48:01.833-06:002010-10-06T08:48:01.833-06:00Ohh, don't stress over the turkey. Stick it i...Ohh, don't stress over the turkey. Stick it in the oven and slather it with butter every so often. Really, that's it. Cover it until the last, oh 30 minutes of cooking. Then uncover to let the skin crisp up.<br /><br />Then make turkey soup! It freezes great and is healthy.Kristinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02259160289596962851noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119996845182958780.post-92187687561554650072010-10-06T08:30:14.674-06:002010-10-06T08:30:14.674-06:00I wonder if you like winter in Colorado better par...I wonder if you like winter in Colorado better partly because now you don't have to commute. I would like winter so much more if I didn't have to drive in snow unless I chose to!<br /><br />My turkey suggestion: buy a roaster. The turkey always turns out perfect, and then you have the oven free for more pies!<br /><br />We don't know our holiday plans yet. I can't really take time off because I want to save my vacation time in order to get more pay during maternity leave. I think my mom is going to come here for Thanksgiving again, but Christmas is totally up in the air.-R-http://andyouknow.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119996845182958780.post-21108388450946641952010-10-06T08:03:54.203-06:002010-10-06T08:03:54.203-06:00If you're feeling charitable, you could always...If you're feeling charitable, you could always host other people for Thanksgiving. Every year here in Montreal, some of my friends host a big Thanksgiving party for all of their friends who don't have families or can't go to their families. It's a good time. If you've got friends there without big families, they're probably moping about spending it alone, too. Also, you can have everyone bring a different dish, so then that takes a lot of the cooking burden off of you.<br /><br />Maybe Canadian Thanksgiving is a more social event, though. I don't know. Either way, it's fun. I'm actually disappointed that I'm going to be missing the party/dinner this year because I have to go to a wedding.Lauchlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14996118473968284727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119996845182958780.post-63496007124824673012010-10-06T07:59:17.997-06:002010-10-06T07:59:17.997-06:00Here, try this: http://blogsthenewblack.blogspot.c...Here, try this: http://blogsthenewblack.blogspot.com/2010/09/ill-let-you-in-on-my-secrets-for.html<br /><br />I'm all for roast chicken, but I prefer it over turkey anyway. And stuffing I just use that boxed stuff. It's pretty delish and easy.<br /><br />Going home for Thanksgiving, staying here for Christmas. As usual.sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14817736786530470345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119996845182958780.post-14272032955595938312010-10-06T07:57:16.562-06:002010-10-06T07:57:16.562-06:00Since we've moved to Texas, we've done it ...Since we've moved to Texas, we've done it with several other families who are staying in town and have no other family around. We have SUCH a good time together, no one has to make everything, and there is no traveling. I LOVE it.<br /><br />And seriously, a turkey is easy :)Janssenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13178196211079230972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119996845182958780.post-46695766190440672822010-10-06T07:55:43.088-06:002010-10-06T07:55:43.088-06:00Cook the turkey upside down... keeps the breast me...Cook the turkey upside down... keeps the breast meat moist.Fiona Picklebottomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01506170190612993100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119996845182958780.post-1196510049689134942010-10-06T07:32:59.872-06:002010-10-06T07:32:59.872-06:00We did Christmas with a turkey last year for just ...We did Christmas with a turkey last year for just the two of us - stores here sell smaller sizes which was great - enough for the two of us AND leftovers. Yummy! :DBreathe Gentlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11513783056593377296noreply@blogger.com