Datalounge Thanksgiving Lonely Hearts

It’s on November 23, the fourth Thursday.

My mom has dementia so we are doing Thanksgiving with her the weekend before. That means I'll be alone on Thanksgiving and I couldn't be happier! I HATE football so I'll be watching some movies or just sleeping the day away while the rest of the world sits in traffic bitching about how they really hate having to do this every fucking year.

Buy some Pennsylvania Dutch Eggnog.

I love this shit so much!!

It's only about 10 bucks.

There is so much booze in here, you'll be wasted by the time you finish the bottle.

Stick it in the freezer, serve it extra cold, and spray some whipped cream on top.

It is DEEEEEEEE-licious!

Lasagna, wine, triple layer chocolate cake, "The Itis," and a movie

My mom also has dementia, but she's in another state so I won't be seeing her till early next year.

Holiday dinners have always been excruciating for me, coming from a narcissist controlled family, so being alone for another one suits me just fine. I like feeling free

Lasagna?

Is that an Italian Thanksgiving tradition?

My mother has dementia as well. Sad, I'm the third in this situation on this post. She loves antiquing, so I'm driving us to the largest antique mall in the country. I need to cherish every minute.

My mom has dementia but she's in the fairly early stages. She is very much in denial but I suppose many sufferers are. We hate turkey so we'll eat steak.

I have some unfortunate news to share. If you are reading this post, your mother has dementia.

My plans are a nice hotel, an escort and two turkey and dressing dinners from room service.

I’m still off the clock. When my mother shriveled to her desired weight and quite dead, I somehow inherited a dad with dementia and a family of morons. I became a surrogate mom.

I retired from holidays ten years ago and I spend them as I see fit, with or without company.

I pick up the Thanksgiving dinner from the high end grocer by me. It comes with a turkey, mashed potatoes & gravy, stuffing, green bean casserole, and rolls. If I do get a guest there is enough for 2.

r11 That sounds like an invitation to me. What time should I arrive?

r12 Are you used to snow? I live in the midwest. Don't come before noon I am not a morning person. You can have the cranberry sauce all to yourself.

R13, I always wondered why some families do early Thanksgiving meals.

In my family, we have always done Thanksgiving dinner, usually no earlier than 5 or 6pm.

Is there a reason why your family opted for Thanksgiving lunch, instead of dinner?

I mean, the turkey alone takes about 5 hours. So you'd have to wake up very early to have everything ready by lunch time.

At least a late dinner gives the host more time to prepare.

r14 I think it's because we ate and then the men watched football

r14 also my family would go to church Thanksgiving morning so we were up early

Ah, makes sense R15/R16.

I prefer dinner, because you can work up an appetite during the day.

Having such a heavy meal at lunch seems awful.

R5 Yes. It's at Christmas and at Easter, too. It's a side at big dinners.

I’m flying back to the US from a European vacation on Thanksgiving day. Wonder what tasty morsel the flight attendant will throw on my tray table?

Going to Montreal for the week so I don’t have to deal with this dumb holiday.

I have a reservation for a place in the country where Thanksgiving buffet will be served. Dining out on Thanksgiving when you are solo is the way to go.

My new husband is stuck on the other Coast for the month getting his place ready to rent, not far from where Thanksgiving was born, so I'll be single again. Not going to fly back there again during one of the busiest and most stressful holiday journeys. Most of my relatives are gone. In the past I've spent Friendsgiving with dear friends whom are also neighbors, but it became such a big production that it imploded. Have spent the last few years of the holiday alone.

As usual when alone, I will make Rock Cornish game hens with stuffing - I add sauteed onions, celery, and shrooms to a box of Stove Top mix; mashed potatoes with giblet graxy* (OLD, longtime Datalounger here!); steamed green beans tossed with butter and toasted almond slivers, a green salad with cherry tomatoes, avocado, cucumber, shredded carrots, a can of tiny shrimp, Green Goddess dressing, and Claire's bread pudding with fresh cranberries. Probably a good Russian River Pinot Noir. Thanksgiving food for me is all about the leftovers, so I'll make stock from the carcasses and then avgolemono soup the next day. Will likely do video calls with my hubs and in-laws, but they are three alcohol hours ahead of me, so that gets awkward. If I get an invite to a friend's festivities, I'll make a cranberry upsidedown cake or just decline, in favor of enjoying time off work in peace. One thing for sure is that I'll be checking Datalounge Thanksgiving threads all day long. It's been a tradition since c.1998.

[quote] Will likely do video calls with my hubs and in-laws, but they are three alcohol hours ahead of me, so that gets awkward.

What does this mean, R22?

Your menu sounds good, BTW.

R22 your menu sounds fantastic.

But no turkey? It's not Thanksgiving without turkey!! 🦃 🦃 🦃 🦃

[quote] Dining out on Thanksgiving when you are solo is the way to go.

Dining out solo on Thanksgiving Day is the absolute last thing I'd want to do, R21.

My mother doesn’t have dementia, but she absolutely refuses to travel AND hates it when other people cook in her kitchen (because of the mess)…

So we are going out to a Thanksgiving buffet - which means no leftovers (my favorite part of the holiday).

*sigh*

Probably just hanging out in the jacuzzi, taking in the view. The holidays can really pull you under, almost make you feel like you are drowning if you let them.

[quote]My mom has dementia

Apparently OP does as well, if he thinks that Thanksgiving is on 11/30.

Why isn't Thanksgiving ever on the last day of November?

The first Thanksgiving meal consisted of deer, wild fowl, cod, bass, lobster, and corn.

Just saying.

[italic]I say, go big. Do a whole turkey for one, spend the day making mashed potatoes from scratch, cut and clean your green beans then saute them with mushrooms and butter, bake some cornbread stuffing, and order the most decadent pie from your most expensive local bakery.

"Decadent" when describing baked good is evidence of insanity that holds up in any court determining involuntary placement in a mental health facility.

[quote] Dining out solo on Thanksgiving Day is the absolute last thing I'd want to do,

Obviously, it’s not for people who hate ( especially on a holiday) to be around other people.

I have a job where I have to work holidays so I don't focus on them. In the past, management had brought us the usual fixins and I was touched. Even though the fatties came early and scarfed much of it down (one brought her husband and 4 kids to eat food meant for a small staff).

But management changed and they don't do that anymore.

I worked for five years in restaurants and, luckily, only worked one Thanksgiving. It was awful. The people who were out that Thanksgiving were miserable people. The workers were miserable (because we were working on Thanksgiving). I'd rather just stay at home and eat something simple than go out on Thanksgiving.

One of my favorite Thanksgivings was the year my boyfriend and I moved in together, and he went to his grandmother's house, two states away, for Thanksgiving. He wasn't out at all, and he made it clear I was not invited. I didn't mind in the least. I stayed home by myself and ate grilled cheese sandwiches and homemade tomato soup. Such a nice time I had.

[quote] Turkey prices have dropped by a lot as Thanksgiving planning ramps up

Something wild has happened with turkey prices that’s going to make the cost of cooking the Thanksgiving meal more palatable to families on a tight budget.

“There’s been a big collapse in retail prices for turkey,” said Michael Swanson, chief agriculture economist with Wells Fargo Agri-Food Institute.

“Because turkey prices are down so much, and that’s the centerpiece of the meal, celebrating Thanksgiving at home will be more advantageous this year for families,” he said.

Store prices for the 10-to 15-pound turkey, typically the star of the holiday dinner, have dropped 13% in October compared to the same month last year, said Swanson.

The decrease in shelf prices for the bird also coincides with an even more dramatic 29% slump in the wholesale price for turkey this October versus a year ago, according to Wells Fargo’s new Thanksgiving food report, which was released Wednesday.

The annual report analyzes the outlook for key grocery items – such as turkey, cranberries, and sweet potatoes – that comprise the quintessential Thanksgiving Day dinner. Swanson said the data is pooled from a variety of sources, including point-of-sale data from market research firm Circana and wholesale prices data from the USDA Livestock Marketing Information Center.

But the big drop in price isn’t related to anything nefarious. It’s the American tradition of supply and demand, and this year, there are just way too many birds.

At the farm level, Swanson said the industry in July added 2% to 3% additional birds into the barn to keep the supply robust for Thanksgiving. On top of boosting supply, he said other factors helping to reduce the price per pound of turkey include a drop in input costs such as the cost of refrigerated trucks to move supply around the country.

“A year ago, refrigerated trucks were charging $3.80 per mile on average. Now, the most recent rate quoted by the USDA was $3.30 per mile,” he said. There’s also more availability of trucks, which has freed up supply and brought down the cost for the food industry, he said.

“Historically we see a big drop in the two weeks before Thanksgiving,” he said, adding that 84% of whole fresh turkeys are typically sold in November.

That’s the period in which grocery stores deeply discount turkey as a “loss leader” item in order to drive shopper traffic during peak food shopping for the big celebration. People will come into stores for the turkeys, the thinking goes, and end up leaving with way more than they set out for – and way more profits for supermarkets.

Looking at the rest of the meal, depending on whether you’re buying them fresh, or canned, cranberries might cost you a bit more than they did last year.

The report said fresh cranberries will be about 20% less compared to last year, while canned cranberries will cost almost 60% more from the same time last year. Swanson said rising packaging and labor costs are elevating prices for canned produce overall.

It’s the same story with canned pumpkins. Swanson said production costs for canned pumpkins are currently 30% higher this year from last year, and consumers are shouldering some of the price increase in store prices for the canned fruit.

And the price for canned green beans, on average, is up almost 9% versus last year, the report said.

Store prices for sweet potatoes are up about 4% “but the price is expected to come down before Thanksgiving as grocers become much more competitive with each other for consumers’ dollars,” said Swanson.

Russet potato prices, however, are at an all-time high.

“Consumer prices are currently up 14% from a year ago,” said Swanson. “Russets come out of the Pacific Northwest. A year ago the region had a tremendous drought, which cut supply,” he said. “Moving into this year’s harvest, it was a much better year, and so we’re expecting prices to drop.”

Small whole turkey breast, fresh green beans, butternut squash, make my own cranberry sauce and green olives on the side. For dessert apple pie from the local apple orchard. They all died on me but my dog is still here and loves leftovers.

Thanksgiving is on Thursday, November 23, this year, OP. Enjoy!

R36, how do you prepare your butternut squash and cranberries?

I would love to know a good recipe.

Fried southern-style chicken tenders (frozen from a bag) Simply Potatoes mashed potatoes Chicken Stove-Top Stuffing with extra sage Home-made country gravy Roasted carrots Fresh baked yeast rolls and butter Cherry-berry pie a-la mode for dessert Eggnog Apricot Liquor

Fucking Datalounge and the auto-wrap. Is this the only site on the planet that does that? Jesus. Trying again:

Fried southern-style chicken tenders (frozen from a bag)

Simply Potatoes mashed potatoes

Chicken Stove-Top Stuffing with extra sage

Home-made country gravy

Roasted carrots

Fresh baked yeast rolls and butter

Cherry-berry pie a-la mode for dessert

Eggnog Apricot

Liquor

Before the pandemic I'd go eat my myself at a restaurant. There were a few open that did "home cooking" type meals.

They stopped doing all that in 2020, and nobody has started it up again. So I just make a meal for myself at home now.

Hopefully I can find an open sports bar, pretend to like football, and get some straight cock.

[quote]Before the pandemic I'd go eat my myself at a restaurant.

You just threw your legs behind your head and did it right there?

Bob Evans is open for Thanksgiving. I ate there several times in the past on Thanksgiving. It was nice.

One of the nicest solo Thanksgivings I had was a decade ago when I was in LA on a job. Went to the Faultline Wednesday night and picked up a cute younger guy. We slept in, and I left his place around noon. Made the family call to the east coast from my car while still parked on his block, and then drove over to Norm’s La Cienega. Sat at the counter and had their tasty Thanksgiving special and then back to my sublet in Venice beach to go to bed early.

Keep these stories coming please!

Growing up, my family would ensure that each Thanksgiving would be something out of a psychological horror movie. The cops would be called at least once. My sister would often pick that day to fake an OD to get the most attention, and sometimes they weren't so fake. Yeah, I know. That kind of family. Lovely.

Anyway, I made it to 17, and with the help of my brother in law who felt bad for me (runt of the litter/the delicate one), I got my own apartment, right around Thanksgiving as it turned out. I celebrated by cooking a gorgeous bird with all of the sides and then some. I ate off of that haul for DAYS. It was fucking heaven. I do the same thing every year. Solo. Even if I am in a relationship. He goes to wherever, I stay home and stuff my face. Perfection.

I had the best sexy times when I was alone in the holidays. There are lots of hot guys on the loose. I’be been with my husband for almost thirty years and I live my life but there were some great times when I was a determined singleton.

The Wednesday night before is always one of the best nights to hit a gay bar - lots of out of towners with everyone in a great mood and looking to have some fun.

I do what R46 does but I will invite my drug addict sibling over to make sure they consume solid food. Sometimes they show up.

R49, I tried that a few times after my dad died and it felt like they were shopping in my apartment. I’m not a pantry for oppressed white guy victims - who are fat.

I took a lot of shit for being a fat kid. I try not to throw it back. I don’t even make moo sounds when we chat annually.

I believe this still fits the season.

Wow, Thanksgiving is a little more than 2 weeks away.

I guess I'd better start shopping.

The supermarkets get insanely crowded on the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday before Thanksgiving Thursday.

How long do you cook a turkey breast?

Can it be done in a toaster oven?

#34, your anger and resentment seeps through the lines.

[quote]and then start putting up your holiday decorations.

Decoration, singular

I'm alone. Probably will just grill a nice steak, make a Cesar salad and open a bottle of wine.

Hey, R54, learn how to reference previous replies before you go ragging on anyone else, you moron. It's not like there aren't dozens of examples for you to copy from. Idiot.

A box of hair

Some dog shit

A few lung spasams and a big hurl

I buy a Jennie O turkey breast, easy and not such a huge portion for 1 person and it's not a plastic tasting turkey loaf but regular turkey.

[quote]Containing Approximately 22% Solution of Water, Seasoning, Sodium Phosphate, Salt & Sugar

Well at least it doesn't contain soy...

r23, r24, thank you. Won't be roasting a whole turkey because of the hassle and way too many leftovers for one person. Husband won't be returning until two weeks after Thanksgiving. Game hens are a good compromise. I get the fancy free-range ones; they're so much tastier than Tyson's agribiz factory farmed ones. Gotta remember to get fresh Thyme and Sage next week, as none were available last year closer to the holiday, so I had to steal Rosemary and Sage from a neighbor's yard and got caught. We ended up getting drunk together on Irish Coffee's. Her Silver Daddy husband confessed that he loves the fact that he's admired by every gay man in the neighborhood. It was only slightly awkward. Meanwhile, Rosemary is too strong and is NOT a good substitute for Thyme.

Someone commented on the work it takes to make fresh homemade mashed potatoes and green beans. I think it's easy. Have learned to boil the potatoes in chicken broth and add butter, sour cream, and white pepper during the mash. Fattening, but it's Thanksgiving. A couple of things I'm hedging on: the gravy and dessert. I've just never mastered gravy. Will get a packet or a jar. Making a whole dessert means that I'll eat the whole damned thing over the long weekend. Will buy two individual servings from my local, organic, overpriced hippie market. One slice will be for breakfast because I tend to smoke weed when alone on Thanksgiving morning and then I end up committing crimes on an empty stomach.

Mostly looking forward to reading about family visit horrors and triumphant moments of single people surviving (and maybe even enjoying) Thanksgiving here on the Datalounge. My late Mom was the Queen of Thanksgiving, her birthday was in late November, so it was a big deal. She's been gone now for 18 years. Hoping that starting next year my partner and I will spend every Thanksgiving together and can host a huge feast and invite Lonely Hearts to our home.

I’m doing nothing. My husband is pescatarian, my son doesn’t like turkey so I said — fuck it, why should I waste my day trying to please these 2? We have no other family around.

My worthless whore of a mother died this year so I have extra reason to be thankful. A truly joyous Thanksgiving. Finally!! My FIRST Thanksgiving knowing she is no longer walking this planet. I was starting to wonder if she was going to outlive me. You're next Pops.

R63, My mom was born on Thanksgiving, I buried her on her 93rd birthday, last year. She was the best mom a gay man cold have. I will be crying the 22nd through the 28th. Thanksgiving will never be the same.

[quote] My mom was born on Thanksgiving, I buried her on her 93rd birthday, last year.

How long did you wait until it was Thanksgiving?

R65, She died on the 22nd, 2022. The fucking funeral home/cemetery would not bury her Thanksgiving week and kept her frozen right up to her burial, which coincided with her birthday, which was the following Monday. They gave me the option of burying her the next day. Tuesday. Fuck them. They all deserve to die in grease fires.

[quote] Lasagna? Is that an Italian Thanksgiving tradition?

Lasagna is an Italian tradition for every holiday. Or any time, anywhere, ever ever ever.

Y'all are so damn depressing 😕😣

Lasagna or anything with meat is okay for Thanksgiving as long as you substitute in turkey.

Agree that Wednesday or the Thanksgiving Thursday was always a great time to be at the bar.

Wednesday was the night to meet great guys who were just in town for a few days visiting family.

I always had dinner early w/my parents and would be back home by 3 or so, which is about when the bars opened, and two years in a row I was at the bar early and met pent-up married men.

Just having a few friends over. The same old tired Marys.

The easiest Thanksgiving I know:

Costco has a browned, 4-lb turkey breast. Slice it, heat up what you want and freeze the rest.

Mashed potatoes can be easily made from scratch by baking in a microwave for ten minutes,then putting them through a ricer--No need to peel. Add butter and salt and stir.

Cranberry sauce is made in the microwave with berries, brown sugar, orange juice, orange rind and cinnamon sticks.

Make gravy with Turkey better than bouillon. You make a slurry, then add the broth.

Stouffer spinach souffle as a side.

I do stuffing with Jiffy cornbread, or you can doctor a box of packaged stuffing mix. You can do it and the cranberry sauce the day before.

Dessert is up to you. I like a good vanilla ice cream with gingersnap crumbs and whiskey or brandy. I might add a crabcake for an appetizer but it really is a lot of food already.

A friend found out what I was doing for a solo Thankgiving and said she's just have a pot pie and a bottle of wine.

I miss my family's traditional Thanksgiving dinner. My Mom would order a fresh-killed turkey and make cornbread stuffing from scratch. My Mom made a great turkey but her gravy was the best part of the meal.

Last year, I qualified for a free frozen turkey breast but, at 14 lbs., it was a lot for me. I had them cut in half and made one half for Thanksgiving and the other for Easter. This year, I will be making a meatloaf made with a mix of ground veal, pork, and beef. I use Lipton's Beefy Onion soup mix and the recipe for "Souperior Meatloaf." I'll make instead mashed potatoes, buy some French's Onion Gravy in jar, and cook some French Cut green beans. A nice red wine will go with dinner.

I may buy a bottle of that Pennsylvania Dutch Egg Nog. I buy the big liter bottle every year. Maybe I'll buy a bottle of Bailey's instead. I'm not sure yet.

[quote] Y'all are so damn depressing

At least we’re not bitching about how horrible it is that we have to spend time with our rotten Fox News-watching, homophobic, racist asshole family members. Thanksgiving has become a chore for lots of people.

Just two of us. We order the meal for four from Whole Foods. Breast, dressing, and sides, as well as dessert. So we'll have a small amount of leftovers. They we'll watch movies, or maybe even go to a movie. We want to see Napoleon and it comes out November 22. Our holiday is calm and peaceful, and we like it that way. We've both had enough turbulence with dysfunctional families over the years. We've been doing our own thing for the past 5 years and it is wonderful.

It is better to dine alone that to eat with mostly strangers who you have to perform for.

[quote] It is better to dine alone that to eat with mostly strangers who you have to perform for.

For those of us who have not seen any of your dinner performances, what performative routines do you do for the amusement of the other guests?

Who is it who haunts food threads with nasty sock puppets? I can't think of his name. Never mind.

[quote] My Mom would order a fresh-killed turkey

Dear lord, where do you live that you can go to a place where they will actually kill the turkey for you??

[quote] I may buy a bottle of that Pennsylvania Dutch Egg Nog

Do it, Cosmo!!!

I'm telling you, it's so good and sooooooooooo boozy. You'll be surprised.

But it still tastes like egg nog. Just very, very boozy egg nog.

[quote] It is better to dine alone that to eat with mostly strangers who you have to perform for.

I totally agree.

It is so very relaxing to just spend the day cooking for yourself, relaxing, sipping on wine or egg nog, then sitting down to eat the "fruits of your labor," and then falling asleep on the couch, watching a good movie, with a warm fire in the fireplace.

Absolute heaven.

r75, thanks for the suggestion. I may just order a meal from Whole Foods and skip the cooking completely!

Love to you r64. I’m so sorry about your mom.

And hugs to everyone dealing with a family member with dementia. Terrible disease.

I have gone to a restaurant when I was alone on Thanksgiving.

R79, I live in northwest NJ. Plenty of farms here. There really is a difference between a frozen and fresh-killed turkey.

I have had PD Egg Nog before. My late Mom discovered it years ago and it's been a staple in my house every holiday season. I won't share how many bottles I go through between Thanksgiving and New Year's!

We have been sharing thanksgiving with a friend and their family off and on, for the past 7 years. They live 25 miles away. Last two years, the non cook/host had the Turkey and dressing catered and we ended up supplying all the sides and desserts for 12 people. This year my husband was talking to them about plans and they said they were "sooo tired. Not gonna cook, but I 'd be willing to host..." IMO I do not see the point in planning and buying all the shit we'd have to buy then cook, then pack and tote to their house like a fucking catering service. I told my husband IMO the friend was trying to send the message that they wanted to not do anything. IMO we have a choice. We could invite them, but our house is undergoing renovations and while it's 80% finished we're really not ready. Or we could just tell them we're pretty worn out from a brutal work schedule (true) and we're going to stay home this year. I just feel like they would be reluctant hosts and I'm not willing to put myself in that position. What say you DL?

For the singletons who don't want to cook and own a crockpot, this chicken and stuffing is good and so easy. I make it throughout the year when I'm craving a Thanksgiving type meal. Add some Bob Evans mashed potatoes, gravy, can of cranberry sauce and a store-bought pie. Voila!

Tons of versions of this recipe on youtube, I just included the shortest non-speaking one. Do not cook more than 3-4 hours, otherwise very dry chicken. Start checking at three hours.

IMO, r84, you should make reservations for the entire party at a Denny's in a geographic location somewhere between you and hosts. Invite as many people as you like. Stuff yourselves and go back home.

R84, I think hosting Thanksgiving is a big deal, whether you cater the turkey & dressing or cook those items, yourself. You've still got to clean the house and open up your house (make it presentable) to a lot of people.

Yes, I realize you're cooking and schlepping a lot of food, too. But you, also, haven't been hosting and don't want to host, this year, either. Yes, I realize you are undergoing renovations.

I'd say: take a break this year. Don't go over there. See what happens next year. Your renovations should be done. Maybe you'll feel like hosting.

R87 you make good points. I'm thinking of bowing out this year and hosting next year.

Costco pre-roasted turkey breast. Takes about an hour to heat up. Tastes no different than home-roasted to me. At my Costco they’re in a bin at the end of the aisle that has stuff like chicken tikka masala. What a relief it is.

They’re about 4lbs.

Get up, go to the gym, come home and pack....leaving for Hawaii that Friday for a month. Mom died a few months ago, so no more going home for the holiday. Instead I will go to paradise.

The idea of killing an innocent animal just to celebrate a holiday that has no reason to exist is just, well, weird.

Americans are really weird.

R91, what makes you think turkeys are innocent? I heard they kidnapped the Lindbergh baby.

I heard they were the descendants of the unindicted Capone coconspiritors.

Capone=capon?

You can buy pre-made Thanksgiving dinner at lots of places. It just needs to be heated at home. Unless it's something you really enjoy doing, cooking a full meal isn't needed. Maybe just make one or two things by hand, if anything.

A turkey threw the first brick at Stonewall, R91

Most holidays have no reason to exist. And we kill innocent animals every day. It doesn't take a special occasion.

[quote] You can buy pre-made Thanksgiving dinner at lots of places. It just needs to be heated at home.

I hear Popeye's makes a mean bird!

It's smoked, brined, and pre-cooked.

You just have to heat it up.

Beware store-bought prepared turkey. I used to teach in north Florida, and one year there was a hurricane just before, so many people didn't attempt to travel home. We had a departmental lonely hearts Thanksgiving, where people brought sides, and they ordered a cooked turkey from Publix. I brought asian style collard greens and sweet potato salad, both of which were unfamiliar to many and not tried by the majority. I didn't touch the turkey - didn't look great to me. The next morning my phone was ringing off the hook. "How are you?" "Great, you?" "Spent the night in the hospital having my stomach pumped". Everyone thought maybe my unfamiliar offerings were the culprits, but no, it was the turkey which sat too long at room temperature.

Not just at Thanksgiving. Some of my local stores sell turkey parts, and I'm not a turkey breast fan, but love dark meat. So I can buy a couple of turkey thighs, which are fattier and can take long cooking. Toss them in the slow cooker on high, load the bottom with chopped onion, carrot and celery, sprinkle some garlic seasoning on top, poultry seasoning, grind some fresh pepper over, and toss in a few leaves of my sage plant. Cook on high for 4 hours. Delicious, slightly crisp skin, all the vegetables in the bottom deliciously seasoned from the turkey. If I were having a Thanksgiving by myself, this is the meal I would cook, because so easy, no danger of overcooking, no danger of drying out, no need to watch the stove or baste. I make it at least once a month for myself and never tire of it.

r85 I am going to try that recipe (not for Thanksgiving though)

[quote]Beware store-bought prepared turkey.

I doubt your one-time experience with a prepared turkey from Publix is indicative of all the other prepared turkey meals sold by various grocery stores and restaurants across the country.

On second thought, that Popeye's turkey is kind of gross.

Another turkey dark meat fan, specifically thighs which seem to have become a meat unicorn. I fucking hate turkey tits, and for that matter chicken tits. So dry, stringy and flavorless. So...this year I thought I would hire a local caterer to provide me with two wicked big turkey thighs with all of the trimmings (yes, tot fat, old and lazy to do it myself). I got the hockey buzzer each time I called and asked for what I wanted "WHY DON'T YOU WANT THE BREAST!?" So fuck it, Thai food for me it shall be.

I love the way Grandma did it. We bought a live turkey in a crate that we kept in the basement for about two weeks before Thanksgiving. That Turkey ate good. Then she killed it. One year, my older cousin brought me downstairs to see the turkey, and she opened the latch to the crate and it got out and chased us. Grandma was pissed. She had to come down stairs with the broom to chase it back into the crate. Then we got a whipping.

R103, that is just the cutest story ever!!!!

You described it so perfectly, that I pictured the whole thing in my mind as if I were there!

[...]

Cute story? Kind of macabre-sounding. Keeping a live turkey in the basement for 2 weeks?

R104 I forgot to say that the Turkey in the crate was under the basement stairs. They were open stairs so the Turkey could stick it's neck out and nip at you as you came down the steps. And when we got whipped it was with switches from the indian cigar tree in the backyard. Those were the best switches from Grandma's perspective because they whistled and stung like a bitch. We had welts on the back of our legs. We went to the huge farmers' market on the Saturday before the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Grandma usually killed it on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.

R107 now that is a Thanksgiving story!

You're lucky you have those memories.

[quote] Beware store-bought prepared turkey.

Honey, you have to be smart enough to know how to store turkey. It ain’t hard. My Costco pre-roasted turkey breast is in refrigerated storage in the store. Buy it, put it in a cooler bag, take home. Put in fridge. When time to reheat, take it out, immediately put in preheated oven. Use meat thermometer.

Take out when ready, cut, serve. Put leftovers in fridge, just like you do with any leftover turkey. Turkey is the first leftover to get packed up and refrigerated.

Just in case you don’t know — the same goes for chicken. Don’t leave chicken sitting at room temperature either.

A spoilt turkey'll rip out yer guts quicker thin ennythin'.

So will a spoilt chicken but people buy those precooked all the time.

I should have been more judicious in my comment. IF you buy a precooked turkey, you have to keep it hot until you eat it. You can't let it sit on a counter for 4 hours.

Although I HATED it at the time, when I was young (7-12 years old), we would go to my grandmother's very early on Thanksgiving morning. My dad, brother and I went hunting with Grandma's husband. There were wild turkeys and pheasants on their land and we bagged at least one of each every year. Mom and Grandma were ready when we got back to prep them for roasting (bleed them, scald them, pluck them, gut them) and we ate around 3:00 PM.

Decades later I remember those cold November mornings fondly. It was the one day a year that Dad was nurturing and compassionate with me and my brother, especially the years when one of us shot a bird. Wild turkeys taste incredibly better than farmed turkeys – eve the breasts are moist and tender. Grandma would make pâté of the livers and send it home with us. It was never much, but it was a treat we spread on toast the following Sunday morning.

This year, I'm making a pot pie from a recipe I found a few months ago. I hate wasting food and last year I ended up throwing away pounds of turkey meat after having leaftovers in some form for a week after.. I just could not eat it all and the thought of freezing it to use later was nauseating. BTW, Thanksgiving will not be lonely hearts. I will "celebrate" alone by choice.

R113 I love nostalgic stories like yours.

It's around the holidays when you tend to remember and cherish those memories.

MARY.

Turkey Pot Pie actually sounds like a really great twist on Thanksgiving.

Turkey Pot Pie, Stuffing, Gravy, Cranberries, Green Beans, and Pumpkin Pie.

Yum!

Decisions reached. Whole Foods dinner for four which includes turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans and cranberry sauce for 100, Partner says that's cheaper than making it ourselves. I'm good with that although I would do a Costco turkey breast instead.

We'll make creamed spinach, mashed sweet potatoes and pumpkin custard in lieu of pie. No one is fond of soggy pumpkin pie crust. Partner will pick up his beloved pecan pie.

We have frozen cornbread stuffing and will make that into waffles for the leftovers. The carcass is destined for turkey mushroon barley soup.

Is serving green beans at Thanksgiving an American tradition?

Not only green beans, R118.

Green Bean Casserole!

Although it is my absolute favorite part of the meal, cranberry sauce for 100 sounds a bit excessive R117.

🤣

We do roasted vegetable and a salad not green beans. IMO it was that Good Housekeeping bullshit with casseroles in the 60's that fueled the manufactured tradition of green beans.

Green Bean Casserole is DISGUSTING AND VILE and I don't know why this monstrosity is a thing.

Green bean casserole is special occasion comfort food. It’s pretentious people who dislike it being served.

Whole Foods dinner for four for $100, which includes turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans and cranberry sauce.

R123, no pretention about it. It's just gross. A way to ruin perfectly good green beans.

I love green bean casserole. However, I can’t fathom yams/sweet potatoes with marshmallows/syrup.

[quote]R121: We do roasted vegetable and a salad not green beans. IMO it was that Good Housekeeping bullshit with casseroles in the 60's that fueled the manufactured tradition of green beans.

It was created in 1955 as part of a Campbell's Soup campaign for its then-newly introduced Cream of Mushroom Soup, but didn't pick up steam until the 1960s, when Campbell's put the recipe on the can labels.

Who eats canned green beans nowadays? Green Giant, Reser's Main Street,Marie Callendar and Wild Fork make frozen versions of green bean casserole to which the fried onion rings are added at the end.

It's gross. And it looks like puke.

Use frozen green beans, and not canned.

Canned vegetables are horrible.

Frozen tastes more natural.

I’ve been invited to a few Thanksgivings but it was “we don’t want you to be alone for Thanksgiving so please join us” and that’s just pathetic and I don’t feel like a dinner with interviews. I won’t go out to eat alone either so I’ll just make dinner for myself and stream something. I’m going away alone for Christmas - much better to have a plan.

I have no problem going out to eat alone and do it several times a week and really don't get why people think it's horrible. It's peaceful. I bring a book and read.

I think it's worse when dining out alone on a holiday.

Especially because people are surrounded by family on Thanksgiving, and they're together in big groups.

Some might feel uncomfortable being by themselves in a restaurant on a holiday, surrounded by large boisterous celebrations.

You kind of stand out like sore thumb.

R133 - do you think the folks in those large boisterous groups are even noticing the other restaurant patrons - solo diners or not?

I understand that people are self conscious, but it’s really mostly in your own mind - the majority of people just don’t care enough about others to really have much of an opinion.

I dine and go to the movies solo all the time when friends aren’t interested or simply not around. If you’d enjoy doing something, just go do it - don’t live life based on avoiding other peoples possible pity - it’s really not worth it.

r3, thanks for the suggestion! I will buy some tomorrow.

[quote]R128: Who eats canned green beans nowadays?

IMO, there are uses for them, 'tho green bean casserole shouldn't be one of them.

As a severe diabetic with a number or other co-morbidities, there are times when I need something to eat which will have next to no impact on my blood sugar, and requires no preparation to speak of; something which, in a pinch, I can ask my mentally handicapped younger brother to get for me which won't be too difficult for him to manage. A can of green beans, room temperature, with the juice drained off, beans poured into a bowl, and sprinkled with black pepper. It's not bad, and is helpful to the digestion. It's something I do once every three weeks or so.

I’ve informed my sister that I will not be hosting her or her family for Thanksgiving this year. She begged me to reconsider, as she’ll have to eat whatever catered vegan monstrosity her daughter conjures up.

But I stood my ground. I’m having a delicious “Friendsgiving” feast with my homosexual friends. I should’ve done it years ago.

Good for you, R137!!

Let us know how it goes. (Especially the menu!)

R136, I need to apologize. I've been somewhat confrontational to you, without knowing your weaknesses. I feel ashamed, and I'm sorry. I still don't agree with you on several points, but I would never have been as mean as I have been.

There should be a follow up thread or a Thanksgiving in real time thread

I really have no interested in spending time with my overbearing, loudmouth niece and her two ill-mannered daughters. The older one dresses like a prostitute and my niece thinks it’s just fine. The younger one is a budding klepto who’s been caught stealing twice but is too young for juvie.

R141, Were those your Avon bottles that were stolen?

Scrolling past threads of all the things the DL lonely hearts did and didn't do. Scrolling past threads of the other DLers and all their squabbles with partners and friends and family. It's a tradition.

But especially scrolling past threads of Thanksgiving food and recipes. The foods associated with that holiday fall somewhere between boring and worse.

I live a safe distance from the U.S. now, but lived most of my life there. Thanksgiving was never a favorite holiday because it seemed centered on gluttony (and over some quite unextraordinary food). Mostly I stretched out long vacations with the few extra days and that part was nice.

Now DL is the only place I hear anything about Thanksgiving, so make your holiday thread titles juicier than a turkey's ass if you want yo catch my eye. Guns pulled. Allegations of poisoning. The horrible home truths revealed by your drunken Tourette's Syndrome relatives, the thing you saw when you opened to door to the guest bedroom and now can't unsee.

[quote] Now DL is the only place I hear anything about Thanksgiving, so make your holiday thread titles juicier than a turkey's ass if you want yo catch my eye. Guns pulled. Allegations of poisoning. The horrible home truths revealed by your drunken Tourette's Syndrome relatives, the thing you saw when you opened to door to the guest bedroom and now can't unsee.

Your post reminds me of how much I miss the THANKSGIVING STAMPEDE threads!!!!!

All of those fat, ignorant greedy people trampling over each other for Black Friday deals on garbage.

Those were the days....

If I'm g oing to be alone I get my food a day in advance. I don't like to go to restaurants on big holidays because I feel bad for the workers. Yes maybe they get paid extra, but it just seems wrong that someone has to wkr to prepare and serve me a meal. So if I'm alone I stay home and It's fine. Weather permitting I go for a walk, have dinner, watch a movie, and often I'll get a call or make some calls. I'm fine. I don't feel like a Lonely Heart. I don't care really.

In deference to R143 's refined sensibilities, I am listing Joanna Gaines' Thanksgiving menu.

Dinner Rolls

Homemade Green Bean Casserole

Southern Sweet Potato Casserole

Mashed Potatoes

Herb-Roasted Turkey & Gravy

Mema Pat’s Holiday Dressing

Jo’s Mom’s Cranberry Sauce

Pumpkin Cheesecake with Gingersnap Crust

My last day of work is this coming Friday, and then I get the entire week of Thanksgiving off... over a week, including both weekends.

I have no plans. I will not see anyone, I will not be going anywhere. I am completely alone here.

I will make myself a tub (yes, a TUB) of mashed potatoes, gravy, and sage stuffing, and I will pig out on carbs, and none of you can stop me, and your judgements can't hurt me.

R147, I have no idea what your situation is, but I urge you to do something special for yourself.

R148, why does everyone have to "do something special" just because it's a holiday? And who appointed you to urge people to do anything in particular? I hate you holiday Marys, and support r147's plan to do whatever the fuck he wants, not what you think he should do.

R145, former restaurant worker here. I posted upthread about working on Thanksgiving.

I think it's OK to eat at a restaurant on Thanksgiving. The particular customers I encountered were rude, that one time I worked on Thanksgiving. As long as you're polite and leave a reasonable tip (US restaurant), I think it's fine. Restaurant workers really appreciate kind customers.

[quote] I am listing Joanna Gaines' Thanksgiving menu

You left out the Kim Chee and Bulgogi.

Thursday cooking turkey (well, my husband is) for twenty; Friday making the Chex mix for our Christmas party.

R152, you're not a Lonely Heart.

More like a Braggy Heart.

R153 does it help that I will spend the entire dinner wishing I was alone?

I will likely be getting high as fuck and playing a shit-ton of StarField.

R149 let's calm down. When I said I hoped he'd "do something special for himself" It could be a warm bath. It could be taking a shit. What ever he considers special. It's a luxury I was urging him to indulge in. It has nothing to do with him not doing what he wants.

I'll be having vulture, again.

Alone, on keto-autophagy, Thanksgiving will be a fast day. No reason to celebrate. Probably won't turn off the house alarm. Holidays are for other people.

Green bean casserole was one of those vile concoctions that food companies made up so people would pile canned/frozen foods together into a dish. Increased sales. Instead of one bag of their frozen green beans, they got people to buy the canned soup and the canned onion rings as well.

Same with Jello, which made recipes with canned fruit and cool whip, put out by the same company.

I have no thanks to give! Fuck this whole thing.

The number of people here who are happy to slaughter an innocent bird without a second thought is shocking.

Fat whores of Datalounge, rejoice!

I am not an American and, from what I've read on the Internet, this green bean casserole is my US horror food. It sounds absolutely vile, especially with the added canned soup, BLEURGH!!! The legendary jello salads too but I don't believe anyone actually ate them, it just cannot be. Sweet potatoes with marshmallows also offends my European sensibilities. All in all, your thanksgiving feast menu doesn't sound so good... The original list with the cod and the lobster sounds better.

[quote] I have no thanks to give! Fuck this whole thing.

NO SOUP FOR YOU!!

Explain to me what the problem is with making mashed potatoes. All this nonsense about buying instant, microwaving (and you don't even have to peel the skins!). How hard is it to peel, cut, and boil a couple of potatoes, add some butter, some heated milk, salt, and pepper.

[quote]It is better to dine alone that to eat with mostly strangers who you have to perform for.

I read this as "It is better to die alone that to eat with mostly strangers who you have to perform for." I think I agree.

[quote]Lasagna is an Italian tradition for every holiday. Or any time, anywhere, ever ever ever.

That was true growing up, but it wasn't always lasagne. I was a big fan of the manicotti alternative. When I was married, I started doing this too, but it just got to be too much uneaten food that you had leftovers forever. Leftover lasagne and turkey was just too much. I started scaling that back to making a rich broth (actually I used a consomme recipe) with tortellini.

I got my family off of making ham and turkey at Christmas. I introduced them to the glory of rib roast. There was no turning back.

We're going to Friendsgiving again this year. It was cancelled in 2020, resumed in 2021, hosts went to go visit older relatives in FL last year, and we're back on this year. Thanks to whoever reminded me Thanksgiving is next week. I have to start making pie crust. I have to make two extra pumpkin pies; one for our hostess and one for a dear friend. They both love pumpkin pie and they love mine.

We’re supposed to travel to Austin for Thanksgiving but my husband is still dealing with the side effects of radiation treatment. We’ve booked tickets, reserved boarding for our pets and hud daughter has ordered a Turkey dinner and made reservations at local restaurants. Now, I’ve got to throw a meal together but I’m glad we’re staying home

Can you make me a pie too, Dustin?

Sounds yummy.

I’ve told fam I’m not interested this year. My bf and I will share it together and probably spend the mid afternoon and evening making love.

[quote] My bf and I will share it together and probably spend the mid afternoon and evening making love.

That's where the boozy egg nog comes in!

I will make three pumpkins, a pecan, a crimson (blueberry and cranberry), maybe another. My partner will make an rose apple tart. I think. I'd like to make some Italian pastries and cookies, but I don't think that will happen.

Oh, eggnog. I made some two years ago and we didn't finish it last Thanksgiving/Christmas. Aged eggnog. Try it.

Who are you R169, Mildred Pierce??

Wow, just about a week to go before Thanksgiving!

Going to my volunteer job in the morning. Have plans for a turkey dinner in the afternoon at a favorite diner with a friend. A friend who often cancels at the last minute. If he shows or not I’ll still go.

Btw, I know many of you like Pennsylvania Dutch egg nog. How about Evan Williams? Anyone recommending it?

R172 this is the first year that I've seen Evan Williams Egg Nog for sale in stores.

I keep meaning to pick up a bottle and try it one day, but I haven't yet.

There's still over a month for the holiday season, so if I do end up buying a bottle, I'll let you know how it is.

When we had a punchbowl full of eggnog, (usually this was the

r64 if you are still here your mother says she wants you to enjoy the day and know that she is sitting right there with you as you enjoy your dinner. There is only a thin veil between life and death. They can see and interact from the other side but not so easy for those that are living. She knows how much you miss her and says she is always with you whenever you need her.

R174 here. Don't know why my post got swallowed. Reporting: When we had our punchbowl with eggnog (usually this was for Christmas) we spiked the ewith brandy, and dumped a pint of Haagen-Das Vanilla ice cream into it. OMG it was soo good and so rich. Topped it with whipped cream.

The thought of dead people watching me masturbate is gross.

And I don't want granny watching me eat ass!

r175, so sweet. thanks.

r64

[quote] When we had our punchbowl with eggnog (usually this was for Christmas) we spiked the ewith brandy, and dumped a pint of Haagen-Das Vanilla ice cream into it. OMG it was soo good and so rich. Topped it with whipped cream.

The thought of punch, with eggnog, ice cream, and whipped cream dumped into it, is making me ill.

it sounds like a watery, creamy mess. Blech.

The idea of any dairy or egg with liquor sickens me. I remember going to see my first broadway show and these two old ladies were sitting behind me breathing the stench of what I assumed must be something like a White Russian or liquored up eggnog.

Oh, the nausea! Omg.

r181, where is your vinaigrette, Dear?

I said we used a punchbowl f or the eggnog, we did not have punch in the punchbowl. We had eggnog.

r165, been there, did that. Glad the two of you won't be travelling in stressful holiday traffic this year.

When my parents and older siblings were alive, Thanksgiving used to be my favorite time of year. It was the only time we gathered every year. As the years wore on, it ballooned into including every crazy pre-MAGA cousin and alcoholic uncle because my Mom was overly "inclusive" of those poor souls who would otherwise spend Thanksgiving "all alone". Maybe they should have been alone. When I got cancer, I just couldn't deal with the travel effort and the family drama, but ended up outliving most of them. This year, Thanksgiving for me is all about peace and simplicity and stuffing my face and drinking and smoking weed with reckless abandon. My husband can't be with me this year for the holiday.

Hope you and your partner enjoy time together. Although this thread is about single people alone for the holiday, I know that you'll feel alone and isolated in a way. Last year, my long-distance partner was able to be here for three months while working remotely during a long treatment period that included Thanksgiving. My only recollection is that I ran out of pain meds during that long weekend and was miserable, which made him miserable. And alone. Actually, I now remember that beloved neighbors invited him over to Friendsgiving, knowing that I was a vegetable and he was basically single. I now remember saying "just go without me". He didn't know them well but got to see all the drama. I just now remember puking after a few spoonful's of leftovers and being in bed and on opiates for a few more months. Wishing you well and hoping things get better.

I'm going to eat myself into a coma four days in a row I think.

[quote]I'm going to eat myself into a coma four days in a row I think.

^^^Why I hate Thanksgiving ^^^

Nevermind that the food is terrible, why do Americans have to be so dramatic and overdo everything. It's not enough to have a nice meal and enjoy the company, it has to be a pigs at the trough scene of excess and gluttony. But why? Because you hate the company and the food is a distraction? Because falling face forward into a plate of turkey dressing and disgusting mashed potatoes and marshmallows floating in pumpkin is the only way to escape some portion of the annually repeated scene?

And the excellent conversations about how much too much everyone ate and how fast the dinner relative the preparation time. Why not just have a line of toilets and TV trays to facilitate the process and maybe a vomitorium, the better to pack in a few more helpings?

I'll have company, and then I'll have ribs.

R186, you think mashed potatoes are disgusting? That pretty much proves your opinions on everything else are shit, and can be safely ignored. I hope you enjoyed your little rant there, but I'm just going to roll my eyes at you, you high strung histrionic piece of shit.

The marshmallows go on the sweet potatoes, and that's a retro joke along with the dreaded string bean casserole. They're both corny and unsophisticated but some people like them.

There are many ways of celebrating Thanksgiving. It's primarily about family and celebrating abundance and the foods of fall. Lots of imagery depicts cornucopias. Eat whatever you want. Celebrate or don't. Being bitter is never in good taste.

[quote] Nevermind that the food is terrible, why do Americans have to be so dramatic and overdo everything. It's not enough to have a nice meal and enjoy the company, it has to be a pigs at the trough scene of excess and gluttony. But why?

It’s so people can make use of their eating pants.

My mom also has dementia and I will spend some time with her on Wednesday or Thursday. My cousin has a half sister who is cooking this year. But I don’t want to go…I won’t know anyone. My side of the family is dying off or doing something with their spouses families. So I will rent a car and go visit Mom. I don’t own a car so I rent one from time to time because of the freedom it gives me. I may just take a long drive somewhere.

[quote]I urge you to do something special for yourself.

A tub of mashed potatoes, gravy, and sage stuffing doesn't qualify as doing something special for himself?

Graxy!

I have a neighbor who orders a precooked Thanksgiving meal from Bob Evans every year. She has mentioned that you get pie AND pumpkin bread and a choice of turkey, ham or pot roast.

I find it odd that she does this as she's a good cook, I've been to their home for dinner.

[quote] The marshmallows go on the sweet potatoes

As if the sweet potatoes aren't sweet enough already.

[quote] I have a neighbor who orders a precooked Thanksgiving meal from Bob Evans every year. She has mentioned that you get pie AND pumpkin bread and a choice of turkey, ham or pot roast. I find it odd that she does this as she's a good cook, I've been to their home for dinner.

I think she understands that Thanksgiving dinner is about quantity, not quality.

Or perhaps she just doesn't want to be saddled with all that fucking work.

R197, that’s the thing. Why bother with the extra work making high quality food if people are going to be swallowing faster than they can taste?

I will prepare my dinner of roasted chicken and vegetables. Drink wine, and sit by the fire with my two dogs. And, last but not least, something that has been a time honored tradition since 1989, thank the Gods for Caller ID.

I hope everyone has at least smattering of joy over the holidays; truly.

Yeah, okay, I gorge myself on food the entire week of Thanksgiving, but I also make big donations to my local food bank and the local meals-on-wheels service, so that others may experience good meals at this time. Everybody wins!

There are just four of us and when we cook the entire meal ourselves we always over buy and over prepare too much food. It's wasteful. I hate throwing out food. By ordering in, we have Thanksgiving dinner, and enough for a second meal the next day and then it's over with.

Sounds lovely, Seaweed/R200.

Enjoy!!

How long does it take to defrost a 10 pound bird?

Mine is VERY frozen. Rock hard.

I'm assuming it has to be done soon, since Thanksgiving is next Thursday.

[quote]Rock hard.

Pics, please!

For me Thanksgiving is the gateway to Christmas.

I have some kick ass decorations this year, presents that I bought for myself throughout the year, 1/2 of which I do not remember, definitely looking forward to Goldbelly. I generally pick one over the top dessert to order and this year I am eyeing this Peninsula Grille Coconut Cake.

r204 about 3-4 days in the refrigerator.

Thanks Rr207!

Hard to believe Thanksgiving is Thursday!

Has anyone here cooked with gas? Like really bad gas?

For leftovers, mix Turkey meat, gravy and vegetables together, and freeze in individual portions. You can make an individual pie, add some stock and serve the stew with bread, or cook up some potatoes and a fried egg and make a hash.

I love turkey, stuffing and cranberry sandwiches…

[quote]Has anyone here cooked with gas? Like really bad gas?

Always. Electric sucks!

I'm ordering a Turkey breast from Whole Foods for the three of us, and I hope all traces of it will disappear by the end of the day, Friday. I do not like Turkey. Everyone else wants to be "traditional" . I can't wait until Christmas. A beautiful pork loin. Bone in, roasted with lots of garlic and fresh fennel. Homemade applesauce, and cornbread dressing. shaved brussel sprouts braised, and roasted sweet potatoes. No Turkey.

[quote] I'm ordering a Turkey breast from Whole Foods for the three of us, and I hope all traces of it will disappear by the end of the day, Friday. I do not like Turkey. Everyone else wants to be "traditional"

I don't know why some of you have such a big problem with "traditional."

It's turkey for ONE DAY of the year.

Can't you just be a sport and indulge other peoples' desire to do a traditional dinner for just one day?

It's really not as big a deal as some of you make it out to be.

The 3 of you, r214?

Unless you have two cats/or dogs, you are not a lonely heart.

Wrong, R216, I am alone in my dislike for Turkey. It's an estrangement! I'm sobbing as I type!

Acting like r214 is why I'm in The Lonely Hearts Club.

[quote]I love turkey, stuffing and cranberry sandwiches…

Me too. Are you from the Northeast?

Leftovers : gravy or Duke’s?

Hellmanns.

My parents died in the late 1990’s and I live 3,000 miles away from my family and have for many decades now. I’m 60 and actually LOVE my solo holidays now. I spent a lot of them with friends over the years but many of them have died as well and there was often drama even with people who were not family. Now, I love my peace and quiet. If I cannot eat in a restaurant (like this year) then I make a kind of crappy meal of Stove Top Stuffing, turkey slices and mashed potatoes from Gelsons Market and watch holidays movies on TV. If the weather is very nice I will take a long walk and look at the Christmas decorations. Ahhhh, peace is wonderful.

R42. I've done that ! It works! But say you're divorced and the wife refused to let you see the kids and join them for Thanksgiving. You will be in like Flynn!

[quote] Ahhhh, peace is wonderful.

You perfectly summed up the theme of this thread, R222.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Yes r219 I live in Philadelphia.

Is Grindr open on Thaksgiving?

I stumbled across this Tillamook Dairy (promotional) video, but they have a lot of great ideas for TG.

Caramelized Butternut Squash with Goat Cheese on a Crostini, Cheddar Biscuits, Pimento Mac and Cheddar Cheese, Tillamook Peppermint Bark and Sugar Cookie Holiday Ice Cream, Cranberry Cream Pie, and Espresso Coffee poured over Vanilla Bean Ice Cream.

I would try ALL of these!!

PS, Ian is cute! Is he single?

r217, j'adore you.

I ordered poppers when it should have been in time to be delivered on Wednesday. I see the Postal Service is holding my package in New Jersey rather than letting it travel today as it normally would have. I received a bottle of lube today, but it was delivered next day from Amazon. Maybe all packages should be outsourced to Amazon so we could have on time deliveries around the holidays.

In other words, my Thanksgiving is going to be a little more boring that I planned.

My Granny loved to talk to telemarketers on the phone. She spent 15 minutes with some guy who called trying to sell her a new windshield for her car. She didn't own a car. Never learned to drive.

You can find the recipes here if you don't want to watch the video

R222, I'm beginning to feel like you do about enjoying the holiday alone. It took some time but I realized that all the energy I spent making sure everyone else was happy during the holidays I should spend on myself. The family members who enjoyed all the pomp and circumstances of the holidays are gone now. I need to focus on me and what makes me happy.

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!

Going solo this year. The current state of my family relations is so inconsistent. This year my cousin is cooking and she invited some family members that I dislike. So I am making my own dinner and working on my writing project. I really don’t feel like people this year. I told people that I’m having dinner with my neighbors.

Feel you r233. There’s always a family member who attends holiday celebrations and other events that gets on my nerves. It’s best to avoid them.

You can order poppers online?

Not REAL poppers, surely.

[quote]You can order poppers online?

Clearly that poster is dyslexic and meant peppers.

That's not how dyslexia works.

Tell that to Brendad Ickson, r238.

[quote] You can order poppers online?

I order from JocksLocker.com.

[quote] You can order poppers online?

You can order anything online.

That doesn't mean you'll actually get what you order.

The "poppers" they send you is probably just a Vick's inhaler in a bottle.

I think I'm going to drink all day long tomorrow.

I've already started.

Lol R243.

Spiked egg nog?

Spiked eggnog makes me puke. It tastes so good, I always drink too much. If I could limit myself to one serving, fine. But I drink 4-5 over the course of the evening and I am a total pig.

Travis Kelce is a lonely heart!

[quote]Travis Kelce Shares He'll Be on His Own for Thanksgiving — and Will Be 'Feasting on KFC'

Jason Kelce was quick to offer his brother an invite to "make a quick trip" to Pennsylvania for the holiday after Travis revealed he'll be solo

Fresh off of the Philadelphia Eagles win against the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday night, the Kelce brothers are back with a new episode of their weekly podcast, New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce, and they dished on their upcoming plans for Thanksgiving.

The brothers revealed that they will not be celebrating the holiday together, as Travis, 34, will be in Missouri while Jason, 36, will be in Pennsylvania with his wife, Kylie, and their three daughters.

Travis said that he'll "be feasting on KFC because I won't have anybody here." His brother then extended an invitation for him to take a "quick trip" to see his nieces, as Jason said they'll "have plenty of food."

As far as the food in question, Jason shared that the Kelce family were not big turkey eaters growing up, and they usually had "pork chops" on Thanksgiving instead. Their younger days also always involved a game of pickup football at one of the local elementary schools in their neighborhood, the Eagles center said.

While they may not be big turkey eaters, Thanksgiving still ranks among the "best" holidays, according to Jason. Although, Travis may have a slightly different opinion after his brother reminded him that when they were younger, the day "always ended in tears" with their dad, Ed Kelce, "screaming" at Travis to finish his food.

"Travis is super picky," Jason revealed, and the Chiefs tight end later shared that the food he does like to eat on Thanksgiving includes honey baked ham, mac and cheese and mother Donna Kelce's dinner rolls.

Travis also admitted that he's "never cooked a turkey" in his life.

As the brothers reminisced on how frequently they've celebrated the holiday with their teammates and teammates' families since playing football in college — they both played at the University of Cincinnati — Travis also revealed that he and the Chiefs had a "friendsgiving" celebration over the weekend.

"We had our Friendsgiving on Saturday," he told Jason of his reigning Super Bowl champion team. "It was awesome."

Wednesday's episode came two days after the brothers met on the field for the first time since the 2023 Super Bowl. Monday night's Eagles win marked their latest time going head to head since the siblings joined the NFL, and Travis shared his disappointment in his own performance as he reflected on the game.

"I’m just not playing my best football right now, man, and it’s pissing me off every f— time I go out there," he admitted. The team overall, though, is "still together, and that's all that f— matters," he said.

"Nobody’s pointing fingers... Guys are getting fired up because guys wanna be successful, I’m one of them. But we’re still a tight-knit group, you know what I mean, and as long as you got that, you got a fighting chance, man," he continued.

After the game, the brothers shared an emotional moment on the field.

"Come here," Jason said. "Good job, Travis. Congratulations."

"I love you, big guy," Travis replied. Jason added, "I love you, too. Good job. Go celebrate."

The last time the Eagles won against the Chiefs was in 2009. And prior to Monday's game, Jason's wife Kylie had shared her hopes that he could secure his "first win against the Kansas City Chiefs in his career."

"He's 13 years in, we're due," she told local Kansas City outlet Spectrum Sports KC on Sunday.

I don't really give a shit about Travis.

I think I'll start putting up my christmas decorations today, so i can turn on the lights during dinner tomorrow.

No, r244, Margarita Sunrise. It has OJ so it seemed appropriate for brunch. I've saved my vacation time all year to take off from now through Christmas. Barring any unforseen trouble at work I'm freeeeeeee!

Happy Holidays Everyone!

That sounds heavenly, R249!!!

Lucky you.

Enjoy your vacation!

I might try making pate as a little appetizer for tomorrow.

This recipe looks pretty easy.

Not a bad recipe. I like to caramelize rather than boil the onions and I would skip the layer of butter on top. Very economical, too except for the brandy.

The commenters agree with you R252.

They're saying that the recipe lacks flavor, so instead of boiling in water, you should add cream.

Also, sauteeing is better than boiling, and a lot more seasoning is needed.

Lastly, the butter on top is unnecessary. Most people in the comments section said to skip the butter on top.

But it's a good foundation recipe, and easy to tweak to your personal taste.

It's turkey time!

I think I'll put the bird in around noon, so it should be ready by about 4 pm.

Then I'll make all the sides while the turkey is in the oven.

My holiday decorations are already up, so all I'm missing is the boozy egg nog!

I hope my turkey is defrosted.

[quote]Not a bad recipe. I like to caramelize rather than boil the onions and I would skip the layer of butter on top. Very economical, too except for the brandy.

You type poor.

I believe the pate recipe called for cognac, and not brandy.

The chicken livers should be sauteed.

I called Instacart for a last minute delivery of some stuff I forgot to get yesterday. I’m also going to make some Mississippi Pot Roast too. So I can alternate.

Just took the dressing out of the oven. Will shower and pack everything to tote to my sister's house, 90 minutes away. I'm spending the night.

Have fun, R260!

I just finished eating at a Thanksgiving buffet. I engaged in raw gluttony, making two trips to the buffet and eating two desserts. I only wanted one dessert, but after I took a piece of pumpkin pie back to my table, some kind of sweet potato cheesecake like thing was set out and I had to try that too. I chose to wear my regular 29” waist pants rather than my 30” eating pants, so that I could physically feel the guilt from overeating.

LIAR ^^^^^^^^^

I would trust this lady's recipe / method for making chicken liver paté. I know it's too late for Thanksgiving, but maybe for Christmas Eve or Christmas.

My rolls are taking forever to rise, so THANKSGIVING FEAST IS DELAYED

[quote]I chose to wear my regular 29” waist pants rather than my 30” eating pants

Humblebraggart.

Watching gay documentaries on YouTube. Had my roast chicken, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, dressing and collard greens. I bought dinner rolls but I forgot to take them out - they require 3 - 5 hours of thawing them first. I still haven’t frosted my cake. AI gave me a recipe for dressing up a cake mix with bananas, peaches and blueberries. It very moist. The frosting requires peanut butter, cream cheese and powdered sugar. But my meal has left me feeling sluggish and tired.

Since my mom died after a brutal few years with late-stage Alzheimer’s, I feel bad about saying this but the holiday get-togethers we have now feel pointless.

Family in this case is my sister and her partner, my niece and her husband and their infant son. All lovely people. No crazy right-wingers or whatever.

But in the past decade all my aunts and uncles have died, I’m way too old to have living grandparents, my two cousins who live locally are extreme COVID-phobics.

Family gatherings now just feel kind of lifeless. I’ve been out to everyone for half a century but it dawned on me that it’s so cool for everyone having a gay brother/uncle/whatever as long as I’m not too too gay.

We’ve actually “rescheduled” Thanksgiving this year for December so my niece and her husband can potty train the boy (apparently a modern method that precludes ANY other activity for a week).

Sorry for rambling. I think I’m just old and tired. My mom, as ancient and difficult as she could be, was the most fun person in the family. With her gone…

Funny thing is, I ended up spending today with four friends who don’t celebrate Thanksgiving (three Colombians and one Chinese) and it was so much fun.

R262 remember, Seinfeld was EXPOSED for vaingloriously changing the waist size

For logistical reasons, my shiny new husband is still stuck 2,600 miles away. It's been 5 years of long-distance commuting and we're both so over it. So, another Thanksgiving alone this year for me as my family are either long gone or evil. He had a nice dinner with family, but fell ill, went home early, and puked. He said it was because he misses me, but I'm sure it was the overly salty food and dry Martini's.

I spent the day drinking a wonderful, organic local creamery eggnog laced with Maker's Mark until I passed out. Eventually got it together enough to clean the kitchen and make roasted game hens, stuffing, graxy, mashed potatoes, and - yes - green bean casserole, because people go on about it here and I've never had it. Absolutely disgusting! Everything else was OK, except for the graxy, which was from a packet. Used to love this holiday and the food, up until both my parents died, and I split from a partner, about 15 years ago. And then some relatives became MAGA asshats and I was totally done.

He'll be home soon permanently with me, for xmas. We both hate xmas. But we won't be alone again for another holiday and we can play vicious card games, smoke weed, insult the cats, drink too much eggnog, and pass out together on the couch, because we are so fucking old and nothing else matters.

My heart goes out to those who aren't choosing to be alone during the holidays and yet are surviving the situation.

[quote] remember, Seinfeld was EXPOSED for vaingloriously changing the waist size

I’m a 29” waist, 29” inseam, which is why I get all of my pants from Amazon and their clothing brand, since I can’t find my size combination anywhere else. I can wear a 30” with a belt, but it’s a little too loose for me.

I wonder if she's a 'nomad'?

R234 I hope that your Turkey Day was pleasant. I spent mine in glorious solitude. Did more binge watching of Aussie and UK TV shows instead of writing though LOL.

R272 that was just sad. The meal looked like something they serve in nursing homes. Bob Evans mashed potatoes? They were almost liquid. A fine starchy paste. Over cooked green beans and dear god that turkey breast. Bland is an understatement. Not always, but I often celebrate holidays alone. I hope I put a little more effort into it. If your going to buy a supermarket pie like the one sitting on her counter, at least buy one that's f rozen that you can bake. I actually like Marie Callender's peach pie.

That video came up on my YouTube feed, as well. I watched the beginning and clicked out. She was squeezing stuff out of a plastic bag and I wasn't interested. Yeah, a hot pot pie would've been better.

Lonely hearts, I just made some leftover sourdough and rye bread into stuffing and will be making mashed potatoes later. Whole Foods quantities in their Thanksgiving package for four includes green beans for eight and stuffing and potatoes for two. Still got plenty of Turkey left even after making turkey barley soup.

No one ever uses up their cranberry sauce.

[quote] Still got plenty of Turkey left even after making turkey barley soup.

How long does turkey last in the refrigerator?

It's been a week already since Thanksgiving, and I'm getting worried.

[quote] No one ever uses up their cranberry sauce.

Oh shit, you just reminded me that I have leftover cranberry sauce!

I have a vacuum sealer. Wonderful investment. Saves you lots of money.'

Thank you for your concern.

You know after my third meal of leftovers I pooped the leftover turkey breast in the freezer. And always remember, Gravy solves all your problems.

R279 here. I swear I didn't poop in the freezer. I POPPED the turkey in the freezer.

Even for DL, that was extremely disgusting.'

You can add your cranberry sauce to a smoothie if it hasn't fermented.

Thank you, Greg. The spatchcocked chicken was unbelievably easy to prepare and easier still to debone. It was juicier than any deli rotisserie chicken I've ever had. We now have enough chicken for two more meals--green chile enchiladas and chicken risotto. The prep took about 15 minutes between removing the backbone, seasoning the chicken and prepping the onions, garlic cloves and carrots.

This is an impressive easy meal and not super expensive. The chicken ran about 15. I think it was organic.Not a huge amount of money for proteins for three meals.

Wrong thread, never mind.