Friday, November 23, 2012

Thanksgiving 2012 ... What's Wrong With Me!


I fixed Thanksgiving dinner!

Okay, as much as you'd love 
to believe this is me, it isn't.  
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No, I didn't put a TV dinner in the oven or microwave like you'd expect.  I actually fixed dinner for my wife and I.  And, she didn't even know it was going to happen.

See, believe it or not, I can be a decent guy every now and then.  (Please, don't let the word get out.  It would spoil my reputation!)

It all started this last Sunday.  My wife loves to have our daughter's family over for Thanksgiving dinner.  However, after finding out she was going to have to work most of Turkey Day, she decided to jump the gun and have the meal on Sunday.

Now, I love my wife, and have for 32 years, but let me be honest, there are many others better versed in the kitchen than she.  It's not all her fault, though.  She was raised by a mother who only fried and fried, being from the Deep South, and if it's not fried, she's still in the learning stage ... even after 32 years.

For example, my wife can take the most beautiful one inch thick pork chop and broil down to 1/4 inch without even trying.  If she'd have been around a couple of centuries ago, I'd have swore she invented beef jerky by accident!  Timing seems to be her primary problem, as she can never get everything ready at the same time.  Thus, meat is constantly overcooked.  Thank goodness I still have most of my teeth!

Anyway, Sunday came around and she tried.  She did overcook the turkey some, and the dumplings were a little hard, and the stuffing somewhat dry, and the corn casserole somewhat hard, but my daughter brought some type of yam concoction that went right along with the rest. Oh, did I mention the crescent rolls were almost black on the bottom?

Anyway, I'm used to it, so I never said anything.  I just sat back, acted as if all was normal (of which it really was, lol) and did my best to swallow.  My son-in-law couldn't show because of one of the grandchildren having bronchitis, and when it came to fix plates for them, my daughter graciously said one of his relatives had already brought them lunch, and bowed out.  

Wednesday, a revelation hit me!  


"Why couldn't I fix my wife another dinner that she could enjoy 
on the day it should be enjoyed?"

 I can cook fairly well.  In fact, the girl's used to love it when I would cook for them every now and then.  My wife has never complained either.  So, a plan was enacted.

I decided on a ten pound turkey roast instead of a whole turkey.  I thawed it out overnight in my truck (outside temperature was 37 degrees, so it was okay) and it was still wrapped.  I bought some frozen buttered corn and a  broccoli /green pea /water chestnut /carrot mix and hid them in the back of the freezer.  Next, the can of yams and the stuffing were kept in my stereo room, and the Parker House yeast rolls were kept in the fruit crisper in the bottom of the refrigerator.  

My wife had to be at work at 7 a.m., so right after she left, I transferred everything to the kitchen.  I then slept until about noon, and awoke, did the necessary personal hygiene shower and stuff, and then began to cook the surprise lunch.

The turkey roast had to cook for two hours at 375 degrees.  Upon opening it, I found it held together with a string netting, similar to the hair nets my grandmother used to wear on her hair decades ago.  (I can barely remember what she looked like without it on.)   After reading the directions, I found it was supposed to stay on during cooking.  Later, I’d find out it was to hold the breast meat together as it cooked, as it was real turkey, and not some man made processed food.  


I wouldn't mind cooking all the time if this was 
my wife ...No, I can't say that. 
(But I can fantasize!)
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Then, about a half hour before she was due home, I got the rest going.  Microwave going full blast for the corn and veggies, water and butter boiling for the cornbread stuffing mixture, and a pan simmering the gravy mixture I’d purchased and made.   I even opened up the yams, stuck them in a casserole dish, added 1/4 cup of brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg, and a tablespoon of cinnamon, mixed it all up with half a stick of butter, and stuck it in the oven with the turkey.  

When the wife walked in, everything was ready but the rolls.  The shock on her face was worthy of my efforts.  It’s one of those times you feel good inside.  You know, the type of good that gives you future points when you want a German Chocolate cake baked, or something like that!  lol

Anyway, I cut the netting around the turkey, and was amazed at how tender and juicy it was as the electric knife cut easily through it.  I even fixed her plate and carried it all to her in the living room so that she could watch a football game in progress (I think our lifestyle has somehow switched gender expectations.)  About that time, I smelled the rolls and managed to get them out of the oven in the perfect state you'd want.  
Tomorrow I'm Back To Normal!!!!
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The dishes were few and quickly cleaned up afterwards.  I later heard her on the phone to our daughter telling her how much better it was than what she’d prepared on Sunday.  I almost felt bad about it, but was happy at the same time that it had come out so good.


Now, as the day is over, I sit here typing, and reminiscing about the occasion.  I had done something special for her that was completely unexpected and it had worked out exceptionally well.  Completely out of character for me!


I wondered, 
“How long before I get well?”   

And, then I shuddered, 
“What if it’s a permanent change?”


Naaaaawwwwwwwww!!!!   



22 comments:

  1. RC, that was very sweet of you to make a Thanksgiving dinner for your lovely wife. I'm sure she'll remember it for years and earned you bonus points towards the future when you manage to step in it and really screw up. :)

    Happy Thanksgiving.

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    1. Terrye - Good to see you! I'll probably do something in the morning that will take away any brownie points I've gained, knowing me! lol I generally do! Many Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving! Also, have a safe move!

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  2. This was a wonderful surprise and you did good Richard, real good. You are just all around nice guy and great husband :) And that German Chocolate cake may very well be in your future just yet, lol!!

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    1. Janine - Awww, shuckin's, Janine. A guy does one decent thing and you think he's changed! lol She's worth it, at time. What's the old commercial say, "Yeah, I think I'll keep her!" Seriously, she's been great during these hard times so I can't complain. She's really wonderful woman. She'll tell you that in a heartbeat! : ) Many Thanks!

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  3. You are a wonderful man who loves his wife! This is a wonderful and sincere piece! My favorite of yours!

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    1. Audra - Good to see you here! See, I was afraid people would get the wrong impression of me! lol She really is fantastic, so it was the least I could do. Thanks for the kind words!

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  4. What a sweet thing to do! I bet she really appreciated a nice meal after working on the holiday. Good for you - and if the change is permanent, it's not a bad thing. Wanna talk some sense into my husband??? :)

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    1. Amy - Thanks for stopping in! She seemed happy about it, which was really all I wanted. I hated that the pharmacy has started being open on holidays, as she's probably going to be stuck on Christmas Day, too. I just figured if I could do something to make up for it a little, it might help her stress level some. I think I'll hold off talking to your hubby though. I might become a target of the male gender hate crime division if I did! lol Many Thanks!

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  5. Sounds like if you cooked more often you would really start enjoying your meals... but then again, loving food to much isn't always the best thing for the waist line either! :)

    But I do have to say - how sweet for you to cook dinner for your wife and to do it in such a surprise way. Sounds delicious... it is making me hungry for another turkey dinner!

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    1. Stacy - Good to see you here! My wife tries, and enjoys trying. She was raised with the old upbringing that a woman cooks, so she does her best. She actually almost gets "touchy" about me volunteering to cook, as if "hers wasn't quite good enough." I've even suggested we take days of the week and share the duties, but she doesn't want to. She does well as long as it's a sauce of some type to go along with pasta. It's meat that she really has a hard time with, and holiday meals when there's more than one or two things. I actually made some spaghetti sauce from scratch last week, the way my mother used to, that she loved, and then mixed it in with some more, later in the week, as a base. She's a great person that's stuck by me through great times of six digit income levels to now, of little to no income levels. After 32 years, I love her more than I ever have. I've got some leftovers in the kitchen if you're hungry! Stop on by and grab a plate! lol Many Thanks!

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  6. What a sweet Thanksgiving, Rich! I think there's just something about having Thanksgiving dinner on Thanksgiving. It's great that you gave your wife that gift.

    I've got to admit, I'm also from the deep South, and I can't cook. Not even if it's fried! Sometimes I get lucky, but for the most part, my poor husband suffers through absolutely awful meals.

    I hope you and your wife had a fantastic Thanksgiving! I'm sure you'll be back to normal in no time. :)

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    1. Cari - Thanks for stopping by! I really felt she deserved to celebrate a little, especially after the holiday was taken away from her by her job. In my last job as a District Manager, I was on the road four or five nights a week, so I ate out every night. It's only since being at home all the time have I rediscovered her weakness. And, since I refuse to allow her to fry (except for oven fried chicken) she's at a loss. She seemed to enjoy the time at home and the meal when she got off, so it seemed to have worked. But, yes, I'm working hard to get back to normal before it becomes a habit! (I shudder.) lol Many Thanks!

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  7. ...the fun of the event that you describe (for me) is when the surprised guest looks and sees the amazing dinner (the detail and variety counts way more than the taste), to look at the person with an expression that says, 'You are surprised? Why this has always been possible, it just happen be the right time"
    lol
    Fun Post

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    1. Clark - Good to see you! The look was worth a million dollars, but, I'd have probably taken the million dollars and taken her out if it was available! lol Good thought! I might have to use that if I ever do something like this again. That's a big "if". lol Many Thanks!

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  8. Hahaha. Hilarious! I love the part about the gender roles being reversed. She watches football? She enjoyed your dinner? Well, all that is awesome. LOL...Thanksgiving for me? Well, I've never cooked a turkey in my life. Is it even "cooked" or "baked"? We always visit the in-laws who have the honor of the turkey. I can cook, though. MMMM...you got me craving some turkey day goodness! :)

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    1. Cyndi - My wife has become a tremendous college football and college basketball fan. I even have to dvr certain games for her so she can watch them after she gets off of work. lol It was a turkey roast made up of four huge turkey breasts all wrapped up together. It was baked at 375 for exactly 1 hour and 45 minutes and ended up juicy and tender. Shocked me it came out so good. : ) She even took some to work today (without me knowing it) to munch down on the leftovers. Many thanks!

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  9. Awww, that's awesome Rich! I think it's great to do things out of character sometimes -- keeps everyone on their toes!

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    1. Emily - Good of you to visit! I'm sure she doesn't expect it again anytime soon! lol I do try to help her out around the house though. When she vacuums, I move out of her way ... when she does laundry, I let her know when the dryer's stopped ... and when the phone rings, I tell her the phone's ringing! lol Just joking ... she hears the phone on her own! : ) Many Thanks!

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  10. Wow! What a terrific surprise! Careful though, sometimes cooking becomes addictive (ask my husband!) - but, I think that's only when you WANT to be cooking something, lol. Sounds like you had a double whammy Thanksgiving! ;)

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    1. Melanie - Good to see you! I have no fear of gaining that addiction! lol There's many other things for me to do besides that. It did work out well, though. Many Thanks!

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  11. Replies
    1. Audrey - Good to see you! It worked out great! Put a smile on her face too! I haven't touched the stove since! lol Many Thanks!

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