How We Spent Thanksgiving

I kind of left things hanging with my Thanksgiving post.  What I didn't disclose at the time was that we were eating our initial holiday meal the day prior on Wednesday, as we were going to be spending Thanksgiving day driving 10+ hours from central Pennsylvania to the northern suburbs of Chicago. 

My husband made me an offer I couldn't refuse.  In lieu of an elaborate birthday gift for my 40th birthday, we could go visit my family during Thanksgiving.  This birthday gift was generous, as we arranged to rent an event room at the hotel we stayed at.  However, there were obvious strings attached.  I had to prepare everything.  By everything, we're not talking just packing a few changes of clothes, our usual emergency meds, kitchenware, etc.  No, I took on the task of hosting lunch for 6 adults and 6 children at the hotel on Friday, plus serve dessert for anyone who wanted to drop by later that same afternoon.  I should have questioned my sanity (and at moments I did), but it was so worth it.

Prior to our trip, I had baked 2 chocolate chip pumpkin loaves (one for us, one for guests), 1 cookie pie and 24 mini cookie tartlets, and 2 dozen chocolate cupcakes.  I also made 3 lbs. of meatballs, which I froze, and later reheated to serve at our luncheon.  I also made sure we had almost all the groceries necessary for Thanksgiving and Friday, as I didn't know if we'd have an opportunity to go to a grocery store last minute, or if any would even be open.

When we got to the hotel, we had a second Thanksgiving meal.  We had packed turkey that I had frozen the day before, as well as leftover stuffing, and potato kugel I made just for the trip.  It was the easiest travel meal, as it just required reheating/thawing stovetop in some boxed broth.  So yes, you can have Thanksgiving on the road, with some planning.

Friday morning, I awoke to make a package of quinoa.  I continued to make my quinoa salad that included corn, black beans, and diced tomatoes, in a lime vinaigrette (homemade).  Next was compiling a lettuce, cucumber and tomato salad.  I reheated the meatballs in a crockpot we took along.  The most complicated thing to do was heat up pasta as the water just didn't want to boil.  Really, it took about an hour to make about 1 1/2 pounds of pasta.  That was our lunch menu: pasta, meatballs, Southwestern quinoa salad, and a green salad.

The party room was set up with three round tables, with seating for six at each.  I brought with plastic tablecloths to go over the clean fabric ones.  We ate at two of the tables, and the third was set up for crafting and games for the kids.  We had two long tables set up for the buffet.  I was so proud of myself as it didn't look slopped together.  Granted, there were no fancy centerpieces.  However, it was comfortable for those of us who were there.  The plus was that my two nephews could go across the hall and play pool at a free pool table when they got bored with their electronic devices. 

It was perfect.  The adults got to sit and chat, while the kids had fun together.  There was no bickering, and no worries about allergens.  The room was specially cleaned for us, we had wipes with us, and we supplied all food and paper goods.  We could be in our little corner of the world, and just be. 

The twelve of us enjoyed lunch and dessert.  Then mid-afternoon I brought out carrots, hummus, and chips, as well as the rest of the desserts.  A few people dropped in to visit late afternoon.  While more were expected but cancelled last minute, we enjoyed the time with those who were able to join us.  It was quality time, and we didn't have to rush off anywhere. 

The next day my sister arranged for us to join her, her kids and my mother at a park building, where we could do the same of just have safe snacks, visit, and play games.  She made sure to wipe everything off, have plastic tablecloths for everything, and safe foods. 

While it cost a little more to do things this way, it worked.  The Babe was safe, she could be with family, and we could just enjoy ourselves.  Definitely a great birthday gift.