Here goes....I don't like Thanksgiving food. There. I said it. I never have. Now, my mother will tell you (hi mom) that this is some sort of a rebellion that began when I was 5, that I used to eat anything. But I am not believing it. I can't remember a time when potatoes didn't literally make me gag.
See, I lump what I consider "Thanksgiving Food" into the same category as "Country Cookin"
And, while I think Paula Dean is very entertaining, I probably wouldn't eat a whole lot at her house either.
And, just for the record, I don't necessarily like being weird or different on this holiday.
I mean, it is quite obvious when my plate only contains a slice of ham or turkey, some green beans, and a roll... oh and the one thing I really like.... Cherry Slop (the one thing that Mr. Hughes thinks is disgusting... maybe it is the name..... just so you know, my grandpa and I coined that name when I was little... it is really called Cherry Fluff.... much more appetizing huh?)
Then, I get the looks.... and the eye rolls... and the snippy "that's all you are eating?" from my sister who loves Thanksgiving food. Then the guilt and shame sets in.... I feel as if I am offended whoever made the meal. Then "Are you sure you don't want some potatoes and gravy?" I would rather eat cardboard.
"No dumplings for you?" No, thanks really, I am fine. "Don't you want some pumpkin pie?" LAY OFF!
Now, usually the guilt I feel sets in with the menu making process... there is always some talk, "well, we will have to have turkey AND ham because Michelle doesn't like turkey all that much."
And, "we have to be sure to have some brown rice since Michelle doesn't like green bean casserole."
And so on and so on. And, don't get me wrong, I can be teased... I can take it. But this is worse. This is concern. As if something is fundamentally wrong with my genetic makeup because I won't eat soggy bread casserole (stuffing/dressing.)
I always assure them that they don't need to make special arrangements, that I am in no danger of starving. That I will find something to eat. I would rather everyone not even know about this.... I would rather sneak into a corner with my small plate of food and eat it quickly and exclaim how good it is and how full I am.
But no.... everyone is always checking out what is on my plate. Why... there is no reason to make sure I am eating, trust me... I am not too skinny!
Am I a picky eater.... probably by your standards. But I will eat stuff that my non-picky sister and my non-picky mother wouldn't touch. Crab legs.... yum! Fish tacos... the best! Calamari... bring it! I could eat olives all day long! And, Mr. Hughes LOVES Thanksgiving food and is entirely in love with dressing... I really think if I pressed the issue, he may choose it over me. So, I guess I am a bit of a spoil sport. And, you ask, why don't you just pretend you like it... because when it comes to certain things, disgust is on my face, I can't swallow it without gagging. Just try it, you say. I HAVE, and I don't like it. And I am an adult and if I don't want to eat it, I am not going to eat it!
But, before you put on your judging pants and call me a Thanksgiving Scrooge, let me tell you a few things that I do like about Thanksgiving.
Being at my grandma's early while she made the pies.... she would always take the cuttings from the pie crusts and sprinkle cinnamon and sugar on them for me.
The parades. I adore the parades! And, my mom told me that the only parade that had the REAL Santa in it was the Toronto parade. Santa is pretty busy this time of year, and Toronto is pretty close. So, baby hughes and I will most definitely watch that one tomorrow. And, it has always been my dream to actually be there in NYC for the Macy's parade in all that madness.
Spending time with family.... well, I have been honest with you about my food issues, so let me change that to most family. I love getting together and seeing people that I haven't seen in awhile.
Realizing the things I am thankful for every day... the trivial ones like heated seats on a cold morning. And the much more important ones like how in love I am with my little family
Playing games... like Trivial Pursuit, Sorry, and so on.
Here is something else you should probably know at this point: If I want to keep you as a friend, I will never, ever play a game with you. Because you will probably not like me much. I am a little ruthless. And a bit of a bragger. And a sore winner... but not a sore loser.... why? Because I never lose....
There was this one time that my mom beat me at Clue, but that was because my sister didn't show me the card that she had. But that was the only time. But, my family has to keep me and love me, so they also have to put up with my domination of any game.
So with all that being said, I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving and if we ever spend it together, I promise not to wrinkle my nose at your plate of dressing if you promise not to shove potatoes down my throat.
And, when you fall into your food induced coma, you can rest your head on my sleeping shoulder and tell yourself that I also ate too much.
But, we will both know it was from the wine.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Bye for now!
I am also not a Black Friday shopper... still love me?
