My mom passed the Thanksgiving torch

[Finster]

I have no doubt that you will make Mom proud, Richard.
Enjoy the time with your family

[jfmorris]

Enjoy it Richard, and make the food you do prepare easy on yourself. Also, the grills wil easily double as ovens - at 350 or so with just charcoal little smoke flavor. I often use my Weber gas grill as a holding oven for sides too on Thanksgiving.

We’ve been hosting it for my family for 7-8 years at least. My folks moved here but only have a small house with tables for 4 or 6. I’ve got a table for 8 in the kitchen and 14 in the dining room, and we bring in a card table or two to expand further. I always do the turkey on the kettle or kamado, and that leaves the oven inside free for a couple of sides. Yvonne bakes those 2 at a time and I hold them for her on the grill at low temp, or wrapped in towels stacked in a cooler (Faux cambro), until time to eat.

I’ve thought of getting a Camp Chef outdoor oven or even a gas Camp Chef smoker for baking outside before, to be honest. But I don’t think about it until last minute.

I’ll be praying for a mild day weather wise, so you can spill the party over into the backyard!

[Skip]

We have hosted Thanksgiving and most other Holidays for several years as we're the Parents and Grandparents of our Families. Thanksgiving is usually 8-10 people with a traditional noon TG meal. I've cooked the turkey outside the day before and done as much other sides, etc as possible. It takes the stress out of the day and leaves more time to enjoy the day with Family. Enjoy your day and keep the stress level low Richard!

[jfmorris]

Preparing as much as possible before the day is a good point. I do the turkey the day of, and Yvonne will prepare 4-5 sides, and have them staged in the garage fridge, to where all she has to do on turkey day is pop them in the oven and bake, while I am outside doing my turkey thing.

[Santamarina]

Well, looks like I deleted my comment when I was trying to edit it. 🤦♂️ But at least you saw it!

Was adding that we’re looking at 16, including two babies and a toddler. Should be a good time!

[Richard Chrz]

I did see it, and I had wondered why you had removed it.

Toddlers and children make it soooo much more fun!

[Alan Brice]

My SIL cares for my brother Ken(MS). She wants everyone to come there noonish. The VA has been very generous in helping her expand the house. Was a Cape Cod, now an entire family room the width of a typical CC(33-35 feet), hangs off the back with a sunroom to accommodate a ramped rear egress.
I was banned 21-22 because I would not get the jab. Her rules. I was ok with it. Kim and I always feast at her family's more towards dinner time, 6ish.
I used to smoke the turkey in the PBC because it only took a cpl hours total and turned out really nice. Kim would make a green bean side n I would do Meathead's cranberry dressing muffins.
This year my mom is gone, Erich has been gone 22yrs. My SIL doesn't want the mess anymore and noone else wants to pick up any slack. They are looking at getting the protein from the Deli or buying the entire spread from Bob Evans. I said pass.
Kim wants me to just go along to get along. I will not be opening my mouth unless it is to put food in it. Happy Turkey Bird everyone.

[Richard Chrz]

Remember Thanksgiving is a day to remind ourselves to be grateful for what we have and traveled through in our life, while sharing it with others, A day to set down the barriers, & sit at longer tables.

We should not need that reminder, but always grateful when reminded to be,

You go and spoil up on Kim my friend!

[Alan Brice]

I tend to get ganged up on and cornered because I speak my mind.
Thanks Richard, I will give her extra care going forward.

[Spinaker]

Good luck. It sounds fun. I enjoyed taking over a few years ago. I still get help but I make two turkeys and some other stuff and then people, of course bring sides.

My brother and his family are going to OK for the in laws, my two other brothers are gonna be in CA with their in laws and my Dad and his wife are headed out to CA for one of those dinners. So.....it is just gonna be me, Sabrina and Ripley.

I cook for at least 20 every year, so this is gonna be a nice break. We are going to make 3 Ribeyes and probably nothing else. Easy as it gets. Can't wait.

[Richard Chrz]

There will likely be 2 euchre and 1 cribbage tournament going on through out the day.

Enjoy your ribeyes, there is nothing wrong with an easy button. Some of my favorite meals take almost zero thought, and cooking for 1 or 2,

[Spinaker]

Gotta love the holiday card tourneys!

[Purc]

Richard Chrz I loved playing cribbage with my grandfather and father. I haven't played in years. Thanks for bring back great memories.