We crowded around the table.
I had visions of china, crystal glasses and fine silver. We had everyday dishes and mismatched glasses, peppered with Elmo plates and Dora cups, plastic spoons and baby food jars. Two leafs were in the table, unfolding almost enough space for our distinguished guests. Sisters and brothers-in-law bumped shoulders with teenagers, highchairs pushed up against booster seats and one shy lap-sitter left an empty chair for the taking.
For my first traditional meal with Mark’s family I insisted on cooking everything. I may have let someone bring rolls and a drink or two but the menu was all mine. I scoured recipes and searched my husband for memories of childhood holidays, my meal assembled accordingly. Shopping and prepping, slicing and garnishing, determined not to order pizza just this once. My husband dutifully pulled children off my legs as I cooked for the in-law masses. Nothing would burn within my carefully calculated time at the stove, in between baby feedings and toddler naps, of course.
Dishes pass before me and I feel the accomplishment begin to wash over. Nods of happy contentment help me sit a bit taller. My first massive undertaking seems to be a success. There is talk of childhood Christmas, their mom made this dish each and every year. I smile inside as memories float across my table.
I ask, possibly bordering on an annoying number of times, if everything is okay. Does anyone need anything? Are the potatoes fluffy? The cornish hen not too dry? Everyone answers to my satisfaction. All is well.
We have begun a new tradition. Maybe an apron for me after all. I am prepared to cook forever.
And then it happens.
As I finely cut my meal into pieces fit for tiny mouths, I catch my husband’s face. Could that be a smirk? A bit of a masked smile?
What? What is wrong? My apron dreams begin to unravel.
Nothing, Honey. It’s just… the beans, they are really… crunchy. But good. Just fresh, that’s all.
The beans, the beans, did I not cook them long enough? Did I cook them at all?
I take one.
My youngest guests, happy to dine on baby food.
Perfectly crisp, perfectly green, raw green beans, sitting fresh as the moment I washed them. Not melting a single slab of butter because I had to turn on so many burners that perhaps I missed just one.
The decision is made.
Breakfast for Christmas dinner for the rest of my hosting years. Pancakes and french toast are my specialty.
And pouring syrup instead of making gravy?
Right up my non-apron wearing alley.
Do you host holidays in your family? What is your biggest cooking disaster?
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Toast is my specialty, if that tells you anything!
If it’s any consolation, it sounded like everything thing else on the table was perfect.
I love this!
We have a pancake brunch birthday party tradition at our house. Myself, my husband and my baby have all had one. It is a big hit with guests and there is no real way to mess them up. You don’t even have to make anything before people get there. Perfect!
I love the idea of breakfast for holiday dinner! My biggest nightmare was the first time I hosted thanksgiving I left the plastic baggie with all the gizzards (sp?) inside the turkey while it cooked. Melted plastic nightmare inside the turkey! Fortunately, the outside of the turkey was still ok. 😉
Oh I hosted my in-laws just once. One time is all I needed. I screwed up the mashed potatoes. I tried using sour cream instead of milk and it was…well…sour. Yuck! The cousins were about ten at the time and were all too happy to make faces and inform me of how gross it was. Ugh! I only host breakfasts, too, these days and that’s the reason!! =)
I think if all you missed was beans you did a great job.
I avoid cooking and will never volunteer!!
Oh, that’s too funny! Breakfast is much easier!
But, I like to be the one to cook for the family b/c I’m not a fan of any other family member’s cooking.
I didn’t realize that Log Cabin was free of High Fructose Corn Syrup. Signing with relief since that’s what I use. 🙂
I’ll take your pancakes and french toast with syrup over crunchy green beans anyday….I’m hungry for breakfast right now.
Aw, my mom always refused to cook Christmas dinner, saying it was a day of rest, but she’d always make breakfast.
Good times.
This was fantastic! And non traditional traditions are *right* up my alley! XO
Oh,too funny! Beans are always better with a bit of fresh crunch…but not that much!
I am a good cook now, but I was not so great in my youth. One year I cooked a standing rib roast for my skeptical family. The held their breaths as dinner was served.
It was awesome.
I lost the recipe immediately after and I have been unable to even attempt to reproduce it for them to this day. Probably for the best!
Pancakes are MUCH easier. I cooked one Thanksgiving meal and that was enough for me.Next year it’s all my mother in law!
OMG that is too funny! Since we moved last year into a bigger home, I now host almost all of the holidays. BUT I could not do it without my mom…I am learning how to feed a big hungry family!