# Thanksgiving: are you cooking? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 17, 2012, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-are-you-cooking/641309 "2012-11-17T14:37:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Lacunae\_Matata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lacunae\_Matata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lacunae_Matata)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2012, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-are-you-cooking/641309/21 "2012-11-17T21:51:01Z")
Turns out I’m also fixing sweet potatoes, cranberries, and another dessert. Hubby’s shift is putting out a potluck at the sarge’s house. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2012, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-are-you-cooking/641309/22 "2012-11-17T22:28:35Z")
For the first time, I will be teaching my daughter how to cook. She is finally interested in learning now that she is adopting a little girl. So, I’ll be at her house cooking a lot of the meal. Luckily, she doesn’t want every dish I’ve always done. That will make it a little easier. ---
**Author:** ![BTEzra04](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9f8e36/32.png) [@BTEzra04](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BTEzra04)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-are-you-cooking/641309/23 "2012-11-18T00:31:05Z")
I might be convinced to make sweet potato casserole; possibly something else. Not really looking forward to leaving at 6:00 AM to drive for three hours to get there and then cooking, but it beats trying to fight the traffic the day before. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-are-you-cooking/641309/24 "2012-11-18T00:37:52Z")
I’m being cooked for this Thanksgiving and don’t have access to a kitchen myself, so I’ll be bringing along whatever dessert, wine & such that I am allowed that passes my friend’s rather high standards for store-bought food (may have to buy a gourmet pie or something like that… does Chez Panisse have a deli?). ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-are-you-cooking/641309/25 "2012-11-18T01:25:16Z")
Usually we go to my in-laws’ place (next town over, maybe 15-20 minutes away), but my sister-in-law isn’t coming down from school this time and the parents themselves are going out of town, so it’s just going to be the four of us, at our own home. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-are-you-cooking/641309/26 "2012-11-18T01:49:49Z")
I’ll be doing rolls. As I’m a baker it’s what my family expects. So it’s either rolls, bread, or, on Easter, home made croissants. I’ll also do a mince pie, one of my favorites. I may also bring an heirloom candy recipe from my maternal grandmother’s family, called Boston Cream. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-are-you-cooking/641309/27 "2012-11-18T02:17:57Z")
I’ll be going to my parents’ house for Thanksgiving. Which means my contribution will be doing stuff like setting up tables and chairs and place settings. ---
**Author:** ![BrassyPhrase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea666f/32.png) [@BrassyPhrase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrassyPhrase)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-are-you-cooking/641309/28 "2012-11-18T02:46:09Z")
Well according to my mom, we’re going out for Indian food. (I’ve learned to not argue for things). Which is fine, b/c I love Indian food. I will bring a cake and maybe an apple galette, but I’m not telling her before hand b/c I will be told not to. Oh, I so so so love the holidays! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-are-you-cooking/641309/29 "2012-11-18T02:57:40Z")
My daughter is moving from Virginia to New Mexico, and my husband is taking her and her cats and her most cherished possessions in the RV, while the moving van moves approximately 10 tons of less-cherished possessions, mostly books, furniture, and shoes (in approximately that order). They will be stopping here on Turkey Day, for Thanksgiving meals. It will make a nice break for them. So, I’m doing just about all the cooking by myself. My daughter might or might not have the energy to fix a few side dishes. I’m figuring on a vegetable appetizer tray, turkey breast, gravy, stuffing, broccoli, and possibly mac’n’cheese, with a pumpkin pie. I MIGHT make mashed potatoes as well, but probably not. It’s only going to be three people, after all. They’ll have turkey sandwiches and other leftovers to take on the road the next day. My daughter is particularly fond of munching on raw veggies when she’s traveling. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-are-you-cooking/641309/30 "2012-11-18T02:59:55Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > I’ll be going to my parents’ house for Thanksgiving. Which means my contribution will be doing stuff like setting up tables and chairs and place settings. Oh, believe me, this is a very valuable contribution. I didn’t realize just HOW valuable until I started doing most of the cooking myself. ---
**Author:** ![Antigen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Antigen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antigen)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-are-you-cooking/641309/31 "2012-11-18T03:13:42Z")
I’m making apple pie. Not the dessert I would have chosen to make, but it was assigned. I’m also in charge of the gravy. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-are-you-cooking/641309/32 "2012-11-18T03:28:59Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > Oh, believe me, this is a very valuable contribution. I didn’t realize just HOW valuable until I started doing most of the cooking myself. The most difficult part will be trying to minimize the amount of help my father gives me. He’s 79 and not in great health - he should spend the day relaxing and watching football. But if I try to move any tables or chairs, he’ll insist on going with me. So I end up trying to either sneak around so he doesn’t notice what I’m doing or rush through the job so quickly he doesn’t get a chance to carry too much. ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-are-you-cooking/641309/33 "2012-11-18T05:43:01Z")
I’m hosting this year…it’ll probably be 5 of us - the immediate family, plus my sister’s best friend, who doesn’t have family in town. I’ll make everything - turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, stuffing, sweet potato casserole, apple pie. I enjoy showing off in the kitchen, and my family likes my cooking. It’ll be a fun day. -D/a ---
**Author:** ![Lanzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/74df32/32.png) [@Lanzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lanzy)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-are-you-cooking/641309/34 "2012-11-18T05:59:53Z")
I cook all meals. My wife tried once…Once. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-are-you-cooking/641309/35 "2012-11-18T06:38:40Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > The most difficult part will be trying to minimize the amount of help my father gives me. He’s 79 and not in great health - he should spend the day relaxing and watching football. But if I try to move any tables or chairs, he’ll insist on going with me. So I end up trying to either sneak around so he doesn’t notice what I’m doing or rush through the job so quickly he doesn’t get a chance to carry too much. Ah, that’s a hard job. I used to handle my grandmother, because she’d want to season stuff, or help people, or do whatever…problem was, she was never really a good cook even when she was in complete control of her mind, and after the Alzheimer’s set in, she was likely to do stuff that might very well cause safety problems. So I’d smile and grit my teeth and diplomatically suggest that she do something else, something that wouldn’t become a disaster if she screwed it up. Not that I mentioned the last bit to her. ---
**Author:** ![flodnak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/838e76/32.png) [@flodnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flodnak)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-are-you-cooking/641309/36 "2012-11-18T10:04:57Z")
As the token American around here, I do all the cooking for Thanksgiving. Suits me fine, as I’m also a control freak who gets territorial about the kitchen. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-are-you-cooking/641309/37 "2012-11-18T14:32:33Z")
I made all my comments in the Pit thread, so I won’t go into it here. I’m making rolls and fruit salad, the latter of which I think is ridiculous. ---
**Author:** ![Alpine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpine/32/17813_2.png) [@Alpine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpine)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-are-you-cooking/641309/38 "2012-11-18T14:55:39Z")
We’ll be doing turkey, stuffing, pumpkin pies and cranberry stuff. Friends are bringing mashed potatoes and green salad, other friends bringing appetizers. We’ve really cut back on the sides, as no one wants to overeat anymore. It turns out the turkey is really large for 7 adults and 2 kids, and I’ll probably make soup and sandwiches for the weekend and send a bunch home with people. I love Thanksgiving, and I love being in control of the main dishes! We only reluctantly gave up managing potatoes this year. ---
**Author:** ![eenerms](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/cdc98d/32.png) [@eenerms](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eenerms)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-are-you-cooking/641309/39 "2012-11-18T15:19:16Z")
My husband doesn’t like turkey, I don’t eat meat, so well do lobster tails and steak for him , and I’ll eat some soy based protein with all the trimmings;) ---
**Author:** ![missred](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/missred/32/14096_2.png) [@missred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missred)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-are-you-cooking/641309/40 "2012-11-18T15:31:55Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > Ah, that’s a hard job. I used to handle my grandmother, because she’d want to season stuff, or help people, or do whatever…problem was, she was never really a good cook even when she was in complete control of her mind, and after the Alzheimer’s set in, she was likely to do stuff that might very well cause safety problems. So I’d smile and grit my teeth and diplomatically suggest that she do something else, something that wouldn’t become a disaster if she screwed it up. Not that I mentioned the last bit to her. Yeah, that’s a bit of where we are with my mom. Some years, she just can’t stay out of the kitchen, dementia and all and others, we’re lucky if she makes it to the table for the meal. We just set aside things like snapping beans and cutting up veggies that she can do at the kitchen table. It keeps her in one place, visible to Sis and I and feels useful doing something that actually needs to be done. If she doesn’t feel up to it, we go ahead and take over. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-are-you-cooking/641309.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-are-you-cooking/641309.md?page=3)