Publisher’s Points to Ponder: The Thanksgiving Disaster

I have a confession. I am always bragging about my cooking. I’ve even challenged some of you to cook-offs. The truth is, I fail at cooking from time to time. Sometimes, the meal that I put on the table has been cooked several times. It’s true. I have to be in the right mood to prepare the perfect meal. Since Thanksgiving is right around the corner, I will share two cooking debacles that occurred on Thanksgiving.

The first Thanksgiving cooking disaster happened the first time I prepared a meal for my mother-in-law, who happens to be one of the most fantastic cooks in the world. I was so excited to prepare a full Thanksgiving feast. After all, I watched my mother do this by herself for years. When I wasn’t watching, I was participating. I had the worst jobs like peeling onions and potatoes, but I was involved, nonetheless. I prepared a golden-brown turkey that was appeared to be perfect. My dressing tasted like a piece of heaven, and my green-bean casserole was to die for. Everyone was so impressed with how beautiful the turkey was and was eager to bite into it. We cut the turkey, and suddenly I heard people asking if I stuffed the turkey. I looked inside to find the guts of the turkey attached to the inside. All of my hard work was thrown out with my oversight of removing the guts. I lost my confidence that day.

Years later—after I built up my confidence to take on Thanksgiving again—I attempted to prepare a meal with turkey without the guts and all of the fixings. This time, I was cautious and I took my time. I followed my mother’s instructions precisely. Despite my attention to the details, my meal was disgusting. I tossed it out, purchased more ingredients at the last minute, and I tried again. And again. And again. Every time it was a disaster. I finally gave up and ordered Thanksgiving dinner from Piccadilly. That was the last time I attempted to cook a Thanksgiving dinner.

Now that I’ve confessed, I hope you understand why I do not attempt to cook alone for Thanksgiving. Suffering from the trauma associated with a failed Thanksgiving makes me look forward to the invitations I receive from my friends in Olney. So, let’s keep those invitations coming again this year. I gladly accept it.