Mrs. Furious ... Recipes, Rants & Reality: There's Still Time

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

There's Still Time

If you haven't entered already then giddy up!

We'll be doing the drawing tonight!!

Turkey Day Etiquette Questions:

So tell us what do you do?!!!

33 comments:

Mary Poppins said...: since i'll be a guest at the furious thanksgiving extravaganza, you know i'll be paying special attention to the etiquette segment on your blog.; November 25, 2008 at 11:05 AM
Anonymous said...: LOL..can't wait to see what etiquitte questions you have! I'm sure to help TONS, as etiquette at our Turkey day table includes the annual "throwing of the rolls"..ie--whoever asks for a roll gets one thrown at them from the other end of the table.

Yeah, we go all "Mrs Manners" here! hehe...; November 25, 2008 at 11:27 AM
Kiki said...: Come on Kid, pick me!!

As for questions in manners I'll be using my Nana as a lifeline, she came up with numerous pneumonic devices such as "No labels on the table". I can't wait to see what's going on with the Furious'.

Lucky Mary Poppins!; November 25, 2008 at 11:37 AM
Brenda said...: Can't wait for the drawing...so exciting! :); November 25, 2008 at 12:51 PM
Lindsay said...: sign me up for the drawing, sounds exciting! :); November 25, 2008 at 12:54 PM
Robin said...: pick me! pick me!; November 25, 2008 at 2:34 PM
HC said...: I can barely type with my fingers crossed!; November 25, 2008 at 3:02 PM
Mrs Furious said...: Haley,
you mean your paws ;); November 25, 2008 at 3:58 PM
Mrs Furious said...: alright we made a mother daughter video for your enjoyment... it will be up soon!!

Marie,
lol; November 25, 2008 at 4:13 PM
Anonymous said...: Ok, here's our setup. We always have thanksgiving at my moms house. There are 6 "units" that attend--my mom and husband, my brothers family (4 people), my sisters family (2 people), us (5 people), my uncle (1) and my grandfather (1) for a total of 15 people (6 of which are kids 4 and under!). So, its a small gathering.

For the meal, my mom prepares everything. Sometimes people will bring desserts..often she already has bought plenty (yeah..she's a "buyer", not a "baker"!). BUT, everyone basically has their own "holiday" assigned...like xmas eve is our house and we do almost everything (and thats for about 40 people) so it works out fair in the end.

Leftovers...if there's a huge amount of leftover dessert, my mom will divide it and force you to take it home. Main meal leftovers stay at her house. The exception to this is she always makes a heaping plate for my grandfather to take home. (he's in his 70's and lives alone). Also, if my husband is working thanksgiving, she will make up a plate for me to take home to him. But there is no expected leftovers. In fact, we cook our own turkey/stuffing/cranberry sauce at our house on Wednesday so that we'll have "leftovers" at home.

Kids table--we always had a kids table growing up. This year is the first year we'll have a kids table at my moms (before that t-day was always at my grandma's before she passed away). I always enjoyed a kids table. In our house the kids would all be able to talk about "whatever" without the adults getting annoyed at us for playing with our food or talking about random nonesense.; November 25, 2008 at 5:23 PM
Mary Poppins said...: leftovers--i say main house gets to keep them. the host is the one doing the lion's share of the work, let him/her keep the leftovers. don't worry, i will refuse any and all turkey leftovers.

kids table--definitely (as long as you're not a 20-something stuck at the kids table). they're more fun for the kids and we always had one. what kid wants to be smack dab in the middle of a conversation about the financial crisis?

pot-luck style--absolutely. keep it simple. especially with large crowds. and isn't that what the original thanksgiving was all about? everyone bringing something to share.

having said all that, as a guest, i'll be happy with whatever.; November 25, 2008 at 5:28 PM
P/F said...: My mother always made huge amounts of food which ensured she'd have enough to send a care package home with all of the guests. Enough for another meal's worth of hot turkey sandwiches, gravy potatoes, stuffing, cranberries, pie- usually not all of the other stuff unless they request something specific. We usually pack it up while we're clearing the table - she always has a stash of cool whip/ sorbet containers and aluminum foil just for the task.

I'd pack up as much as I could growing up to avoid my mother making bubble and squeak with the leftovers (gag).

Because I inherited much of her disease to go overboard on the holidays, I do it too - also because now in my family it's expected (except from my sister who is admittedly a not so great cook - no one wants to bring home her food). I can't imagine sending my 93-year-old Great Uncle home without a care package.

I think this may have started with my mom because she used to have to take the cooked turkey to her in-laws and they would keep the leftovers for themselves.

If you're having any sort of BYO, it's probably a little bit rude - like your mom says - not to at least offer something for your guests to take home besides their mashed potatoes :); November 25, 2008 at 5:36 PM
HC said...: Interesting question about the leftovers. In my family there's actually a battle to take the LEAST food home -- my gandmother (who hosts) never wants us to leave anything behind -- leftovers drive her nutty.

So after lunch, we end up dividing all the dishes up (it's potluck we all bring something) according to how many people are in each household.

Oh, and I'm totally with your mom on the bacteria laden stuffing cooked in the turkey -- there is nothing better! I've been eating it since I was a wee babe and never gotten sick.; November 25, 2008 at 6:00 PM
AshinMT said...: In my Thanksgiving experiences: We have generally hosted and leftovers stayed at the house. However, when lived in Guam, ANY party, holiday etc. people expected and were expected to make themselves a plate(paper, and then covered with another paper plate) to go. Even if you just showed up there and made yourself a plate to go and left was acceptable. Obviously the culture is a tad different (definately the weather, oh i pine..) And finally, when i have attended other thanksgives, i have not expected to take home the leftovers, i would for sure if asked though. I am going to my boyfriends family's i dont think i will be getting any leftovers.... but i did win a turkey the other day so im going to make Fakesgiving for friends and keep those leftover goodies! Have a happy one!; November 25, 2008 at 6:07 PM
Piper said...: Okay, first of all. Could you two be an cuter?! (said in my best chandler from friends voice) Oh my gosh. Your makeup looks great and your mom is beyond adorable. I really enjoyed watching this. You have to feature her again before you leave and go back to NC! =)

Our family (actually husband's family - we drive to Florida and spend every Thanksgiving there) always has a million pounds of thanksgiving food. Three turkeys, a dozen sides...you get the pictures. All sorts of people (not family) come. It's just one of those places where everyone is welcome. We usually eat around 2 pm on Thursday. Around 6 pm people leave. We always have a stack of plates and foil and people take home plates of all the varieties of food. Of course, just about everyone that comes brings food. I've noticed it not exactly planned, but people just sort of dish the leftovers from the dishes into tupperwares around 4 pm or so (but the tupperware are still left out). The dishes people brought stuff in are washed and ready for the people to take home (already clean). That way everyone leaves with plates with all the types of food they want. And we still end up with a ton of leftovers that we eat for the next two days. Okay, so anyway, that's what works for us.

Kids Tables. I'm a big fan of them. Especially if there are older cousins to help the little ones. But I do think if a parent knows they have a high maintenance kiddo that they should be mindful and watch their kid. I hate it when family gatherings become the place where parents of high maintenance kids use it as a means to tune out and ignore their parenting responsibilities so whoever stumbles on whatever disaster has to deal with it. (That probably never happens to any one else, but I have some family members that totally check out when it comes to parenting their kids when these big family get togethers happen.) Whew - I really digressed from the child's table topic. Who knew I felt so passionately about parents ditching their kids at family gatherings. LOL!

Okay, so I leave tonight to go from Texas to Florida. I hope you enjoy the rest of your Thanksgiving week and enjoy lots of good food and have a great family visit. <3; November 25, 2008 at 6:24 PM
Elizabeth said...: Leftovers- somehow this has never been an issue? Maybe it's the stingy background side! (and that we wouldn't want any leftovers from the other side of the family, sorry guys I have one word for Moss Family food: Hamurky)

Kid's table- I think that as long as 'older kids' who are able to behave at teh adults table arent exciled to the Kid's table it can be fun. I liked it because it meant you could LEAVE. Remember Mame not letting us leave the big table? That was bo-ring! But the kids table was a good time! You could get away with more ;); November 25, 2008 at 7:08 PM
Mr Furious said...: "This marriage?"

Hilarious!!

Leftovers. Host house gets dibs. If there is a boatload of leftovers, some can be dished out—but it is optional and not to be at the expense of the host.

BTW, taking back only the leftovers of what you brought is retarded.

Meal planning should be based on having enough food for everyone to be a complete and total hog-town hog, and have enough extra that there is no chance of running out of anything. Always good to have a little extra in the case of an extra guest or two. But planning to send home doggie bags for everyone is ridiculous.

Kids table: This is usually a result of not enough room at the "big" table or in the dining room. I would say everyone at one table if possible is ideal, but I have no problem with breaking it up if necessary.; November 25, 2008 at 8:20 PM
Marilyn said...: I totally agree with you -- if you want Thanksgiving leftovers, then host the dinner! Your guests should not expect a doggie bag! And it's so much work divvying it all up.
Happy Thanksgiving!; November 25, 2008 at 8:23 PM
Jennifer said...: My sister has Thanksgiving, mom has Christmas and I do Easter. So .. that being said .. we all have the "thing" we bring. My mom always does the stuffing (NOT in the bird with the ecoli waiting to jump in) my sister, the host, does the turkey and mashed potatoes and rolls. My brother does the sides and I do all desserts. We never take anything home. If there is any dessert left, I bring it back home. My mom will usually leave her stuffing there because who wants a plate of just stuffing? But that is how it works.

Now, the kid table. Here is my deal with that. I don't mind a kid table, but I don't like it when one of us has to sit at the kid table. If it is just kids .. fab. If not, its weird. PLUS, you get the bonus of moving UP to the grown up table when the time is right. That was always an exciting time for us kids. lol.; November 25, 2008 at 8:25 PM
wootini said...: Leftovers - heck yes they stay at the host's house! That is the whole point of dealing with the cooking of Thanksgiving dinner isn't it - having leftovers? The few times I've cooked on Thanksgiving I was so uninterested in eating by the time I was done with everything, that I was very glad to have the leftovers later. When we've been at someone else's home for T-day dinner, I have never expected to be sent home with leftovers. Your mom sounds awesome, if MI wasn't so far I'd stop by for some of that Wednesday turkey! :)

Children's table - personally I agree with your mom, as a young kid I HATED being relegated to the children's table. I remember this happening only at my great-grandmother's formal dinners - and I probably hated it because the only kids were me and my little brother.

Later on as a 'tween', at various family gatherings on the other side of the family where I have many cousins, we liked setting ourselves up at an ad hoc kids' table very much. Maybe it's the element of choice?

Kid, you have to pick me!; November 25, 2008 at 8:32 PM
Mrs Furious said...: Piper,
thank you... but that is all lighting... I don't have an ounce of makeup on!

and word to the high maintenance kids. We don't have that issue with this group but we've all experienced it!; November 25, 2008 at 9:18 PM
Mrs Furious said...: My mom and I are LOVING all the different feedback!

Mr F,
" and have enough extra that there is no chance of running out of anything."
subtle ;); November 25, 2008 at 9:26 PM
Mr Furious said...: I'm giving you some love at my place...; November 25, 2008 at 9:52 PM
Andrea said...: this is all good info. personally the only thing I bring back is the turkey legs nobody eats those except Chris and so they are usually pushed forced upon us and any dessert I might have made that is leftover but not this year I have no selfcontrol so Im going to make sure I dont bring any home.; November 25, 2008 at 10:59 PM
Kiki said...: Firstly, I LOVE that house...stunning!!!! Second, how cute is your mom?

Okay...host house keeps the food, we always went back the next day for leftovers when invited. The sheer amount of food involved is amazing though!

Kid's table...we had one but it wasn't in a separate room, I loved it growing up and then when I graduated to the adult table I would look longingly at that fun kid table.(Then I turned 21 and I could drink and the adult table became a lot more fun!); November 25, 2008 at 11:29 PM
Elizabeth said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; November 26, 2008 at 12:03 AM
Elizabeth said...: Ok, started feeling guilty about that last post... have taken it down...; November 26, 2008 at 2:47 PM
inkelywinkely said...: well, generally, if you want some leftovers, you make a small plate. If a certain thing sis gone by the way you get yours, oh well, too bad.

We don't really think about how much is going to be left. We don't have people bring stuff either. Whoever is hosting cooks. Other people will bring drinks, and maybe a couple pies. No sides, no turkeys.; November 26, 2008 at 4:12 PM
inkelywinkely said...: Oh! Children's table? We always just ate at the same table beside our parents, so they could make us behave. If we ate at a special table, we wouldn't eat- we would just play and get food everywhere.; November 26, 2008 at 4:14 PM
Mrs Furious said...: Elizabeth,
why?!! You shouldn't. Plus it's factually true ;); November 26, 2008 at 8:10 PM
Elizabeth said...: it is true sadly! I just didn't want Mame to maybe read it and be hurt. She's really an excellent cook as you know, just in the last few years she does completely underestimate.

I was worried that I was being a little mean in order to be funny, and I don't like that habit in myself.; November 26, 2008 at 8:20 PM
Mrs Furious said...: Hey it's a family trait... we get it from Mame ;)

Plus she's out of town and not reading. Of course I've been wrong about my readership in the past ;); November 26, 2008 at 8:23 PM
Anonymous said...: I'm not an etiquette expert at all, but I remember Thanksgivings of yore (at my Grandmother's house) in which she sent the leftovers home with the person who brought the dish. Grandma always made two turkeys, however, and sent the left overs of one of the turkeys home with her guests as a way to say "thank you" for coming to her house to celebrate with her. That was her thing. Although looking back on it now, she made two birds probably because she had a double oven.; November 26, 2008 at 11:08 PM