~Over The River & Through The Woods

Yep, to grandmother's house I go.

...Well, not so much over the river/through woods (as the old song goes) as much as down the highway and makin' a turn, but I am heading over for the best meal of the year.  Mmmmmmmmm... And fat girl can't wait.

Thanksgiving is my favorite meal of the year.  We've had the exact same menu prepared by lil' Nana hands every year of my life.  Except for one year.  One year Nana and Papa friends, Mr. & Mrs. Walls were invited.  They brought rolls that year.  That year we didn't have lovingly handmade, fluffy, uber delicious Nana (and Papa) rolls.  No.  The Walls' brought some shitty store bought rolls.  Needless to say, as I'm still holding a grudge talking 'bout it 30 years later, they never returned to another Thanksgiving.  They are both dead now.  I'm not sayin' it's because of that roll faux pas, but I can't necessarily say it's not.  I don't know how the Grim Reaper makes his picks.

What I can say is that I'm gonna eat the hell outta some stuff(ing).  I know Thanksgiving should be about family, but I've seen my family more recently than I've seen turkey, stuffing and rolls.  Nana was just here a few weekends ago, staying at Mom's for a few days.  I haven't seen stuffing since last year.  I'm on pins and needles in anticipation of building the perfect gravy reservoir in my mashed potatoes and creating a plate that has all of my likes, but doesn't have my food touching.  (Who's a freak?)  Ideally, being consumed with my baby fork.  (Answer: Me)  I really can't wait!

Nana has been plotting and planning Thanksgiving for weeks now, with the precision of an Army General with a battle plan.  Measuring this and that and putting in containers so that actual cooking day goes smoothly.  In addition to her ability to create yummy, delectable, goodness, I'm always amazed at her talent for timing things.  (Meanwhile, I can't seem to time fuckin' toast and a scrambled egg...)

While I'm responsible for zero cooking for obvious reasons, Thanksgiving will require some preparation on my part.  I must remember to take plenty of containers to bring back leftovers.  And to wear something with the give to comfortably allow a second helping, and a post-gorge nap.  Perhaps the biggest effort I'll have to make is to give myself the pre-drive 'don't let your head explode' pep talk, so when you see a BBG behind the wheel of a black SUV screaming Kramer's mantra, serenity now!! and flipping people off, you'll know it's me.

I can also say that I'm going to have a chance to visit with a few old friends while I'm there.  It seems like I'm too old to be going out Thanksgiving Eve like some kid home from college, but it seems like I'm too young to be hanging around a house where Nana's bedtime is 9:30.  Once again, I have failed to make firm and hard plans with anyone, making the who I'll actually see a complete surprise (which I'll report in on later).

For those of my peeps traveling over the next few days:  SAFE TRAVELS!!

Until we visit again...

The Official 2011 BBG Ode To Thanksgiving:

Consume too much turkey and drink too much wine.

Stuff yourself until it's nap time.

Watch a parade and oooooh at balloons.

Catch a football game (they start after noon)

Enjoy your family and visit with friends

To miss such times, indeed is a sin.

Eat until your britches band itches

And above all else...

Haaaaappy Thanksgiving!!

(And Haaaaaappy Birthday to Godkid J!!)

 

~Over The River & Through The Woods