Here is another photo of my brother Mike on Thanksgiving Day 2006. For some reason he is able to sleep anywhere, in any position, even with a flash going off. 
Dad was pretty happy, as you can see. He really enjoyed the turkey and fixin's, which didn't turn out too badly this year. I'll never forget the first Thanksgiving after my mom passed away. I slaved in the kitchen for hours, all the while wishing I'd paid more attention when my mom was doing her holiday cooking. I made everything from scratch, including the rolls and the pies. The rolls were huge and funny looking, but tasted alright. The pie, however was a different story. I followed mom's recipe, but it left out a few important details...like the fact that you need to cook it at 425 for 15 minutes, then turn it down to 325 for the last 30 minutes. Needless to say, we determined it was done when the smoke detectors went off. After dinner dad looked at me kindly and said "Do you want to buy pies for Christmas and give the fire department the day off?" I laughed so hard I snorted. Even though mom wasn't there, it was a pretty good day.
Despite his nicname (He Who Doesn't Do Dishes), Ron is very helpful during family functions. He is pictured here *gasp* doing dishes.
10 comments:
There is no shame in using the smoke detector as a cooking timer. My late mother-in-law did it all the time and she was a fantastic cook...taught all my kids for which I will be eternally thankful. Still we have to move the smoke detectors upstairs. lol
I sort of had the same problem after my mom died and I was making a Christmas dinner for the first time. I had to call my sister to ask, "how much is a pinch?" "When it says to add enough flour to make the dough firm, about how much is that?" "Okay, I've already added too much, now what?" "Wait, I have to stick my hand IN the turkey, whyever for?" "Parts? Is that what they make 'nuggets' out of?" "Oh, nuggests are chicken. Wait, chickens have 'parts'." Needlesstosay, I've learned quite a lot in the last 5 1/2 years, and now consider myself a pretty good cook. Except my sister then got me a set of measuring spoons of varying small sizes that say, pinch, smidgen, and just enough.
Also, my mom had a kitchen magnet that said, "Dinner will be ready when the smoke alarm goes off." So I find your dad's joke particularly funny.
Sorry to ramble.
threecollie: It has been 4 years since mom died, and I am still using the smoke detector as a timer. My dad just disconnects it when I start cooking now.
Courtney: My mom's recipes are that way too. Some of them don't even give a measurement indication at all. I don't have anyone to call about it, so it is all pretty much a guesstimate on my part. I really do wish I had paid more attention to what she was doing in the kitchen. I was usually the potato peeler (10#'ll get you 5, she always used to say, referring to my lack of peeling prowess) and the relish tray maker. I love your mom's kitchen magnet, that will be my new cooking motto. :-)and I want a set of those measuring spoons!
Hi dmmgmfm,
Thanks for your nice note on my blog! It's weird, I'm kind of new to drawing, but blogging is helping me immensely in gaining self confidence. I love connecting with new bloggers. I got such a hoot out of your photo and title. How great that your dad is still around. I'll look forward to visiting again.
You should never actually photograph your man doing dishes! He can use that as evidence in the middle of your rant and raves of uselessness in the future....come on, dmmgmfm, that is in Bitchy Wife 101....time to go back to the beginning.
LOL
potatoe print: I'm glad that blogging is helping you gain confidence. I do it because I enjoy it and you meet the nicest people! I'm glad you've started drawing, you are amazing at it.
kristen: He rarely checks my blog postings, so I might skate by on that. He has started to call me "She Who Rarely Cleans Cat Boxes", so if you see a comment on here referring to me that way, you'll know it's him.
Hi dmmgmfm
Wow, I came home after a disheartening day at work and found your nice comment on my blog. You know, I have not even read my whole blog since the beginning. Thanks for giving me the idea. You're right, I have come a long, long way. That made me feel great.
Yes, I'd love to be a link on your blog.
Have you seen "Wicked" the musical?
potatoe print: I'm glad my comment reminded you to read your blog from the beginning. Remarkable how much has changed, isn't it? Your art is quite incredible, in my opinion. I can definately see you doing it for a living, whether daily comics or a series of children's books.
As for the musical, I've not seen it. I live in a very rural part of Montana We have a movie theater, but the only other artistic outlet we have is....well we have a movie theater. :-). The nearest city of any size is Billings and they don't have a lot to offer either, though it is a nice city. Maybe you can tell me about it.
I will add your link to my blog as soon as I return from my business trip. I am at a watershed symposium right now and using the work computer.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting again. Wishing you the best of days.
Laurie
I don't care to cook much. My mother didn't, either, so no need to follow any of her recipes or anything.
I've read Wicked, but haven't seen the musical.
This was funny and touching. I actually talked to a woman who operates the small bakery around the corner. She says she blew the door off her oven a couple Thanksgivings ago. Apparently the grease caught fire and she thought closing the door would snuff it. Nope. Blew the door right off the hinges.
Hope you're recovered from your doldrums and had a lovely day under the big blue sky of Montana. A hug to you, too.
Cathy
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