Everything was humming along just fine, according to plan. The greens were done and so too was the dressing. The ham had only minutes to go, the turkey much longer. D was beginning prep for her cupcakes and spinach artichoke dip. I was beginning the prep for the macaroni and cheese and thinking about how to serve, where to stage.
Something felt off. Something was off . . . the oven. Oh, damn.
Trying to get the beast working for the next hour or so, thoughts ranging from schlepping the turkey to mom's (who isn't answering her phone) to finish roasting or scratching turkey from the menu and making due with what is done or can be completed on the stove top and many more in between ran through my mind.
Thanks the luck of the Irish the oven worked (enough) to get everything done. And according to all diners it was all good.
Thanksgiving 2010 will be remembered as the one when grandma arrived on time (unaware of the oven debacle as it will forever be called) as she wasn't home when I called and hadn't gone home prior to arriving promptly at the previously planned 2 p.m. start time. We will recall going to the Amana website, looking for a manual for our aged stove/oven calling an 800 number in hopes of getting a miracle answer to what daughter describes as, "her worst nightmare." We will recount the giddiness felt when the familiar "whoosh" signaled, "all systems go" even if brief. We hoped for the best, prepared for something less.
It all worked out. The oven is, for the most part, kaput. But, dinner is done, we all had fun and now there is wine, rest, and a bit later, sweet potato pie with whipped cream, sprinkled with a bit of cinnamon.
I am thankful for my daughter's laughter, her boyfriend's presence, my son's healthy appetite, my mother's critical jabs (for really? they make me stronger--and she doesn't mean me any harm, it is just her way), being a lucky Irish woman on this day and many more. And while I am extremely thankful for the bounty that was our meal table, I would have been just as thankful peanut butter and jelly so long as I was surrounded the loves of my life.
Sorry about the oven, but I'm glad it all worked out.
ReplyDeleteIf it makes you feel any better, I got a good talking-to from my mother and grandmother about being careless. Or as my grandmother actually put it, a dumb ass. LOL Good times.
Fitting, though, for the oven to have it's last hurrah on Thanksgiving. Frankly, if I were an oven, that's the way I would want to go out!
ReplyDeleteOMG! The oven broke down on THANKSGIVING????? damn.
ReplyDeleteSo happy you got it to work out anyway & had such a great day.
You are really doing well with your Mom!
Kudos mon sweet!
@syd: Thanks and yes, it does make me feel a bit better. lol 'rents. whatchagonnado?
ReplyDelete@ncp: yes, I suppose that's a glass half full way to look at it.
@kmae: yep...but yeah, all good. and re: mom. it is a process. :-)
Ugh. Nice of the oven to come through on a critical day, but damn!
ReplyDeleteI like your attitude about your mom. You can't change her, so you might as well put the best spin possible on her behaviour.
Yay for the kids!