My Slacker Thanksgiving

>> Sunday, October 10, 2010

Last year I wrote about my simple Canuck Thanksgiving Dinner, and how I hoped that next year I'd be able to go all out, since my baby would be older and require less attention. Now I just laugh at myself. Having a baby is a piece of cake compared to having a very active, very vocal 15 month old. Maybe next year I'll have the opportunity to make a turkey, but I now know enough not to bet on it. Regardless of how badly I slacked, and how the entire meal took maybe two hours to prepare, it was still highly satisfying. I think I've crossed over to the slacker dark side to stay.

My Slacker Menu:



(Instead of Turkey) Peppercorn Lime Chicken Breast:
-Boneless, skinless chicken breast, marinated in lime juice, basil, and cracked black pepper. Grilled on stove top for 20 minutes, topped with salsa. Easy and yummy.



Pillsbury Crescent Rolls:
It was extremely difficult figuring out how to open that cardboard tube and roll the pre-made dough, but I perservered.


Loaded Baked Potatoes:
The hardest part was putting the potatoes into the oven.


Ceasar Salad:
Lettuce (prewashed), croutons, bacon bits and mozzarella. Combine in bowl. Very challenging stuff.


Corn on the Cob:
Dump shucked corn in boiling water. Take out 20 minutes later. Slather with butter.


World's Easiest Pumpkin Muffins:
Combine one box of yellow cake mix and one can of pumpkin pie filling. Stir. Empty into muffin tins. Remove from oven 25 minutes later. Frost with Betty Crocker's Cream Cheese frosting (because why mess with perfection?). And they're Weight Watchers approved, to boot!



To drink we had the delicious sparkling cider that we bought at the Pumpkin Farm. The ambiance was set with a playlist of soothing music and pumpkin pie scented tealights. After dinner we took a nice, long walk through the nature conservation. It was a beautiful day.



The most beautiful thing about today for me, though, is the fact that I was bummed out about this Thanksgiving. Usually my extended family gets together at the holidays and its loud and festive and fun, but this year, with the economic hardships so many of us have been experiencing, as well as various health and personal problems throuhout the family tree, no one was up to hosting. At first I was fairly annoyed, stating that I'd host if we had a big enough place.

But then I thought, is more always merrier? Or is less sometimes more, even when it comes to family? I am definitely looking forward to Christmas, as I am assured that my aunt will be hosting and showing off her newest grandchild. But I had a wonderful Thanksgiving, just me and my little family. We made our own traditions and memories, complete with slacking, and it was relaxing and wonderful. No long drives to someone's home hours away. No waiting two hours past T-time (T is for turkey ;) ) for the last straggler to finally show up, while the rest of us starve and get increasingly grumbly. No squashing 60+ relatives into one home, balancing plates on our laps because there's no one with a table big enough to seat all of us. No chasing my toddler around an un-baby proofed house and trying to keep him from destroying someone else's things.

 Just me and my guys. Eating a relaxing dinner. Going for a nice, long walk. Kicking a soccer ball around outside (because my 15 month old is already obsessed). It was a great Thanksgiving. And I am Thankful.



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