It was/is a long weekend! One celebrated with friends and family and a huge Turkey Dinner. It is not a long weekend to indulge in “nothing to do”, but a long weekend with lists and plans and “lots to do”.
Both types of long weekends have value; both are self-indulgent. They celebrate both ends of the spectrum our lives. One makes us busy – sharing our efforts with friends and family and the other makes us relax – totally focused on our individual selves and needs! Both are necessary to keep us mentally sane and healthy! At least I think so.
We decided to have our Turkey Dinner on Saturday – totally self-indulgent! I have today to relax before going back to work!
So Friday and Saturday varied between mad cleaning, baking and preparing for Saturday evenings’ dinner. Fifteen were invited and fifteen came – almost unheard of, someone almost always cancels – and it was a wonderful mix of friends and family. We were ready: the house was clean, well mostly: desserts were made, Zebra Cake, Lemon cake with Lemon curd filling, and one dozen creme caramel: the turkey, an overstuffed (bread, onion and celery stuffing), was a 24 lb behemoth that almost did not fit into my Grandmothers’s turkey Roaster – a very heavy aluminum roaster with a big domed lid that cooks turkey better than any other roaster known to man – my Grandmother Nellie bought the Roaster as part of a Guardian Cookware set sometime in the early fifties:
Plus all of the assorted veggies that are expected with turkey dinner, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, brussel sprouts, carrots, mixed veg, including broccoli, cauliflower and peppers: homemade cranberry sauce and liters of gravy!
You may note that I put the dessert first – sometimes, even as much as I love turkey dinner – sometimes I think that we should start with dessert first! A hold-over from my childhood I am sure!
It is not so much the dinner that is important at this time – it is the people who come with it. Turkey is just the symbol for the gathering. A turkey is usually too big for a basic meal – it has to be a gathering of friends and family to make the size of the bird worth while. The laughter, shared stories and the feeling of being part of something bigger than oneself is what makes that turkey dinner so special.
From cooking with my Grandmother’s Roaster, to sharing a meal with my father and son, and the many friends who make the effort to come to dinner – help with dinner – bring homemade bread – bring wine – help with the clean-up – this makes for that wonderful feeling of “Home”! What could be more self-indulgent than creating that secure feeling!
We did manage to fit in some walks on Friday and Saturday – the days were just too inviting to stay indoors. And I did get some knitting done as well! I am mostly working on ideas for the summer classes – the Nuno felting sample is next on the list. And working as well on the projects for the Rowan Design Competition.
I have been playing around with my LeTissier Designs page on Facebook. Trying out some ads to create more interest – it has been quite interesting and as always a new learning curve!
Today will consist of Turkey for Breakfast, Lunch and Supper. everything made with left-over’s from yesterdays meal, including dessert!
I hope that you have a wonderful Easter, filled with family, friends and food! However you celebrate this long weekend I wish nothing but self-indulgence!
Happy Knitting
Lynette