Saturday, October 8, 2011

Thanksgiving equipment and a flashback

This is Thanksgiving weekend in Canada.  I think it is my favorite holiday.  Completely non commercial - just family, lots of food and beautiful autumn weather.

As the preparations get going for the big feast tomorrow, it's important to check out the necessary equipment.

First - the guest of honor
 
Next, and almost as important........


And lastly, the Thanksgiving pants........
Stretchy and with a drawstring (in case I over-indulge)


I want to share this Thanksgiving flashback with you.  Today I was thinking about my very first Thanksgiving on my own.  I was in my mid 20's and living and working in P.E.I.    For some reason, which I don't remember, I didn't go home that year and decided to invite some friends over and host the thanksgiving dinner. 

I had never cooked a whole chicken or turkey before but had seen it done.  It didn't look hard.  But when it came time to clean the bird I began to have second thoughts.  "I can't stick my hand up there".   I tried for a second and after gagging and being completely grossed out about touching all that yucky innards, I knew I was in trouble.

Hmmm, what to do, what to do........   Being the incredibly resourceful girl I am, I decided to spread open the legs and fill the cavity with water and then turn it upside down and shake it.  My hope was that all that "stuff" would just fall out.   Now, stop laughing - I really thought that would work!

OK so that didn't work.  I even briefly considered cooking it with the stuff inside but feared it might poison my guests.   Then I had a brilliant idea.  I had baked chocolate chip cookies the day before.  I put some on a plate and knocked on the door of the older couple who lived in the upstairs apartment.  After presenting them with this lovely plate of cookies (AKA a bribe), I embarrassingly asked them if they would clean my turkey.  Yes, it was a little humiliating but they thought it was hysterical.  And they very graciously did the dirty deed.

Oh, but it gets worse.  After the turkey was in the oven I started to get the vegetables ready.  I was attempting to cut this large turnip when the knife slipped.  The next thing I know is my finger is covered in blood - a really gusher.  I got all woozy and my knees got shaky.  I am squeamish with blood, especially my own and this was bad.   I got to the bathroom where I sat on the edge of the toilet, put my head between my knees and hung my hand over the sink under cold running water.  (yes the bathroom was THAT small - I didn't even have to stretch)   I kept thinking I had to get it together quick or my friends would arrive and find me passed out in a red puddle.   

I eventually  got the first aid kit and bandaged it up.  It really should have had some stitches, but the only thing worse than blood is stitches.  In case you are wondering, I didn't serve the turnip.  It looked a bit like a crime scene from CSI.   And of course it was my middle finger......so once it was all bandaged up it looked like I was constantly flipping somebody off.  Lol  Nice.....

So that was my very first Thanksgiving dinner.   Luckily, they have gotten better over the years.

19 comments:

  1. That is an hilarious story. I'm an American who grew up in Canada. It was great, because we got to celebrate both Thanksgivings. 8-)

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  2. You are so funny and I bet your neighbors were so sweet. I love the story of cooking your first turkey, that is so very sweet. You know there is just that shock the first time you put your hand in that giant cavity.

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  3. Kim ~
    Only you!!! What a great story.
    Happy T'giving to you and your loved ones.
    Pug hugs :)
    Lauren

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  4. Many of us can sympathize with your on our first Thanksgiving meals. It's a real challenging cooking the bird for the family. It sounds like you have it all under wraps now after a little experimentation. I know you're family will love it. Happy Thanksgiving. Deb

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  5. That's just hilarious! Great story! I can remember the first time I made a turkey. It too was Thanksgiving. My husband helped me to put the heavy bird in the pan to cook it. We didn't pay any attention to whether we put it in right or not. When we took it out when it should have been done it wasn't done because we put it in upside down! lol So here we are eating the rest of our dinner until the turkey was done about an hour later. Good thing it was just us and my mom that year! lol

    Happy Thanksgiving!
    Angela

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  6. happy thanksgiving! LOVE the thanksgiving pants... haha!

    newest follower & thanks for playing along in my *no more muffin top blog hop* -- you rock!!!
    ♥cyn♥
    misadventures of a chunky goddess

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  7. Kim, What a funny story. I could just see you cutting your finger and your bandage. Lol I hope that didn't stop you from making another turkey. Have a happy Thanksgiving!Cheri

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  8. That is funny...well now it is..probably not when it was happening!

    Happy Thanksgiving... we have a month and half before my favorite meal of the year! Enjoy!

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  9. Well, Kim, I have to hand it to you, you are resourceful when you have to be. Those cookies sure were a life saver for that occasion. I wonder if you ever used cookies again to get yourself out of some other jam that you got yourself into over the years. I may try using the cookies solutions myself sometime.

    Love the stretchy pant idea. Have a yummy Thanksgiving celebration with your family and for heaven sake, don't cut your finger. Hugs JB

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  10. Oh Kim,
    That is hilarious.... although at the time I bet you didn't think so! I have a deep scare on my swear finger too from my childhood and have a knife story....... of which I'll spare you!
    You enjoy that turkey and I hope it's a clean one!
    The pants are an excellent idea!
    Hugs and a Happy Canadian T. Giving to you and yours!
    Cathy G

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  11. I love the 'First Thanksgiving' scenario! Too funny!!! Are you still chopping turnips for the occasion???
    Great pants for a day of feasting. Have a fun time!

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  12. Great memory! That's what the holidays are all about! Happy Thanksgiving!!!

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  13. Another reason not to like turnips....

    You're one of a wonderful kind Miss Kim....Love it. Bribing the elderly.....For shame!

    I hope you are having a wonderful, wonderful, holiday....and your turkey is stuffed with stuffing, not innards....

    Smiles & Thanksgiving Hugs ~ Robin

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  14. Stopping by from the blog hop and now a new follower of your blog thru GFC. I would love a follow back when you get the chance. I have just started doing giveaways and have 2 new ones up and running. I would love for you to come over and enter. Thanks for your help and have a great day!

    Mary@http://www.mmbearcupoftea.com

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  15. Happy Thanksgiving! I suppose it is a little too late to invite mayself over for dinner? :)

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  16. It couldn't help but be better after that! But I'm laughing with you - I have bloody cut stories of my own - I am not really coordinated with knives.

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  17. Kim, I too refuse to put my hand inside a turkey cavity or any cavity for that matter. For thirty three years (and counting) my dear sweet husband, (I better butter him up in case he reads this) has done the dirty deed for me.LOL Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours, Julie.

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  18. Too funny!!!It took me years to get over being squeamish. When I was first married I had to take a huge wad of paper towels to clean the kitchen drain is there happened to be food stuck in it. I even had to turn my head away.

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