An article I read online laid out the responsibilities of a host during a Friendsgiving, “If you’re hosting you must do the turkey,” it said, “and because the gravy is made from the drippings, this will naturally be your responsibility too.” Well, that information was disappointing. I’ve never attempted a turkey! We usually rebel against tradition and eat ribs or homemade Café Rio. And though I have two stacked ovens, they are unusually small. I can’t stuff a turkey in there!
In talking with our friends Nick and Stacy, I mentioned wanting to try a Friendsgiving someday but that I didn’t want to do the turkey and cited the article I’d read. “Do I really HAVE to do a turkey?” I asked. Then Nick said he wanted to do it! So a Friendsgiving plan was set into motion.
As I was prepping the food, I listened to Christmas music and go rather emotional. This was going to be the first time in two years I would be eating the SAME holiday meal as everyone else. I was so HAPPY to be hosting friends in my home.
Playing host also gave me a reason to get creative and make some fall decorations for the tables. (Though, I had to keep things very simple after the toll of Captain Jack Sparrow’s crew tryouts.)
Above: Mother would be proud of me. She always puts something in the butter to fancify it up—so I couldn’t resist.
We were so excited to eat and having such a good time, we forgot to get photos, so we have one mid dessert instead. This is after a walk around the block and a couple of card games. We were still barely hungry enough for pie.
It was important to me to be sure it was okay with everyone that we share leftovers. Before calling it a night we made plates of leftover food we wanted for later and it was fabulous. (That’s the not so great part about some Thanksgivings...you travel, someone else hosts, they make all the food, and when you get home after celebrating the day, there’s still an empty fridge to greet you when you get peckish. Total bummer.)
The meal included most of the basics:
Marla’s mashed potatoes—which are a big deal. They’re so rich and creamy.
GF stuffing—a bread and cornbread mixture with double the herbs.
Brazilian cheese rolls—if you’ve never had them, you must.
Nick’s juicy turkey and gravy—cooked in more butter than you can imagine, excellent.
Texas Roadhouse rolls and butter—if you know, you know.
Fresh cranberry sauce—cooked with blueberries, rasperries, cranberries, red wine and spices.
Bacon spinach salad with hot bacon dressing—naturally a new favorite.
Pies: Chocolate silk, Pecan, Pumpkin, GF peanut butter, English apple pie
The evening was AWESOME! We ALL looked forward to it. I would HIGHLY recommend doing a Friendsgiving, and do let your friends contribute to the meal. It offers a little something that’s just as special but enjoyably different than Thanksgiving with family.
In regards to getting the table settings ready, below is a short video, click or tap the image to play. Sound on.
Now that you’ve seen it, I can tell you the full story. My intention was to buy 7 feet of fabric and cut it in half lengthwise so it would cover two tables. Well, I did something very stupid. I spaced it and FORGOT what my plan was…I ordered SEVEN YARDS. When I realized what I had done, I couldn’t have felt dumber! So yes, I got an apron and a mask out of it. But what you don’t know is that NINE more feet went to a friend who is also getting two aprons and who knows what else out of it. I’m laughing. Truly.
