Wish me luck, RE: Thanksgiving dinner

[Nuclear Unicorn]

I've never been much of a cook. I think my first real success was Shepherd's Pie. Lover Boy has been patient since then when he isn't doing the cooking himself.

However, this past summer my MIL died from cancer. Since then Lover Boy and I have been spending a lot more time with his dad and kid sister trying to cover the gaping hole left in their lives. As bad a cook as I am my FIL is worse. Some people should be subject to gun-bans, this lovely man should be subject to microwave-bans.

I told Lover Boy I know I will never be the matriarch of the clan that his mother was but I would like to cook Thanksgiving dinner for his dad and sister. This will be their first holiday season after her death. She was just my MIL and it still hurts me, I can only imagine their pain. LB says he'll help, of course, both as my assistant (we love working side-by-side) and as stand-by medic (jerk! :P) but he's deeply touched by my offer.

I love those people, I want to bring something to their lives to help ease the hurt.

Wish me luck.

[blueamy66]

1. You'll do fine.

good luck!

[HopeHoops]

2. Please just remember to turn off the oven.

The smoke detector going off in the middle of Thanksgiving dinner is a royal pain in the ass.

[MiddleFingerMom]

3. Good luck, NukeUke!!!

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"Stand-by medic" :rofl: and the fact that you call him LB AND your wanting to help
ease their minds and spirits with this daunting task make me smile in admiration
(and a little bit of envy) for what you have.
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You WILL do fine, no matter what -- as long as you and LB keep your senses of
humor -- hint to him that you'll need that as much as anything.
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Oh, and focus on what kind of cranberry sauce they're used to -- canned or
homemade. It's important and will be noted if it's "different" from the norm.
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If it's canned, you're in luck. If it's homemade, enlist LB's help in finding a
similar recipe (and maybe he could be in charge of that part of the meal).
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How sweet of you to want to do this for them.
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[Nuclear Unicorn]

4. "NukeUke"

I like that!

Hadn't thought about cranberries. Now I'm scared.

Good advice all around. Thanks, everyone.

[elleng]

6. I understand you being 'scared,'

but your heart (and their appreciation)will surely bring you through it.

I'd NOT try to duplicate you MIL's recipes, but do what you can to somewhat emulate them; starting traditions anew. Check DU Cooking/Baking forum for ideas. One post there from NYT 'side dishes' might help. http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=236x90286

And here's a Lounge recipe; sounds interesting. http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x9826428

As for turkey, assuming you're doing one, if the one you get has one of those string/lift things, to help to get it out of the pan, remember to USE IT, that is, place it under the bird before placing bird in the pan!

As to cooking, while I'm no kitchen genius, I've always thought, as long as I can read, I can cook.

:hi:

[bigwillq]

5. If the meal is as good as your heart

I am sure it will be fine. Good luck! :hug: :hi:

[LibDemAlways]

7. It sounds as though you hit the in-laws jackpot, and they have

a gem in you. That, alone, is reason to be thankful.

I'm sure you'll do just fine. A Happy Thanksgiving to all.