The complicated part of all this was, at least at first, the menu. Paul and I have recently become vegetarians, and not only were we not eating turkey, we were not going to serve it for our guests at dinner. Because of our guest list, the dietary restrictions started adding up, and along with dairy-lite and gluten-free, the meal was also vegetarian. The last chapter in "the book," J.S.F.'s Eating Animals, was actually written a few weeks before Thanksgiving, and he explores the very conundrum of Thanksgiving at the close of his book.
What tips do you have for people to get through the holidays when they care about these issues and their families maybe done?
JSF: Talk to your family; who we are, what we want to eat, what values do we have, do we need it, do we want it? Different people will inevitably come up with different answers. But I think the conversation itself, regardless of the answer, makes Thanksgiving more like Thanksgiving.
"Thanksgiving is very wrapped up with emotions...especially with food since that is all it's about. So be sensitive...[we] are excited to try something new, but I worry that if you're 'too strict' about it being a vegetarian Friendsgiving then it could make eating sort of divisive...especially since we won't know each other."
"am i allowed to bring turkey to Friendsgiving or will that bar me from the festivities?
i await your answer with bated breath."
"Oh Marie...don't fret! Thanksgiving isn't just about food-- it's about PEOPLE! And memories and laughing and fun. You make me laugh."
Marie. My life is filled with restrictions.
I could care less.
-cheese plate with crackers and fruit
-chips and guac
-Brussels sprouts with pecans and tortellini
-broccoli
-asparagus
-warm chickpea and roasted butternut squash salad with tahini dressing
-Palmquist salad with goat cheese, pears, and candied walnuts
-black bean pumpkin soup
-cheddar corn muffins
-barley pilaf
-mashed potatoes
-cranberry sauce
-pumpkin pie
-brownies
-caramels
-wine, cider, whiskey/ginger cocktails
Before the preparations began, Anna and Kurt came over for general New York sight-seeing and visiting. It was time to catch up!
The boys did a multitude of 'honey-do' projects, including switching the direction of the fridge doors,
installing blinds, and getting this lovely IKEA mantel to actually hang on our plaster-covered cement walls. Kurt also pointed out the steaing pipe that was to leave us without a toilet later on.
Kurt and Anna planned their days according to the NewYork Pass, which got them around to virtually every New York attraction fo' free. We joined them out and about for the Transit Museum in Brooklyn and one night for pizza in the East Village before a walk home across the Brooklyn Bridge. It is so fun to share our new little paradise with people we think appreciate it too.
Friendsgiving Morning brought mimosas. Showers. And tons of food.
My favorite parts about Thanksgiving that I think will stick for me as new traditions were: eating earlier, post-dinner walk, and forget the turkey.
