Eagle Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 I'd bring awesome take out pizza because a) congress says it's a vegetable & b) I'd be the COOLEST aunt ever & all the kids would love me & c) odds are everyone would want a slice & that would bug the proper hosts. Â And a big tub of ice cream for dessert. This! But tell her the veg dish is "tomato, peppers, onion medley" or whatever vegetables will be on the pizza. Â And bring sprinkles for the ice cream. Festive! 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuanitaL Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 Up yours, woman. Â Let the Festivus season begin!!! :party: Â 16 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idnib Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 I used to be much more like your SIL before I had kids. I apologize on her behalf.  :D  For me it was mostly driven by a lack of acknowledgement about how much work it takes to pull things together. I have some slacker family members and they would chide me for stressing out and say, "See, it all came together. You were worried for nothing." In the meantime, it had come together due to a lot of detail management in the background. I'm not saying that's what happened in your family, but it was a problem in mine. A little bit of acknowledgement would have gone a long way around here.  Now I have kids and am too busy to care how it turns out because I have more important things to worry about. :001_cool:  I've added a photo of our Thanksgiving veggie platter this year. We used a lot of colorful vegetables and I made this dip. The trick was to line it with purple cabbage leaves and kale to make it look more full. We also hid some caper berries and other small things that don't show up well in the photo. It could easily travel if double-wrapped in plastic wrap. The angle makes it look smaller than it was; the platter was about 10x17, but that includes the built-in handles. (Ignore the tablecloth, of course we had a spill on the Thanksgiving one right as the party began.) :glare: HTH.     10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyStoner Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 I must be mellowing in my old age. I don't see it as a big deal. Decide what are bringing and send her an email back to let her know. I'm guessing there is some back history that makes this seem worse to you. She's organizing it the way she wants to. When it's your holiday, you can organize how you want to. Â Try to relax and enjoy the holiday. One, this is a JAWM post. Â Two, it's not the SILs holiday. It's the whole family's holiday. Â Three, if the person who is having people over wants to arrange every detail then that person needs to actually host the event and not assign cooking tasks. If people are bringing things, they get to decide what those things are. Â Four, I think blowing off steam is a holiday tradition. It doesn't sound to me like Quill isn't enjoying Christmas over this. Â I am hosting Christmas, and for me that means cooking basically everything. When people ask if they can bring something, I say it's not necessary but sure, bring what they like. If they ask me what I will only ask for something that requires cooking if I know it is their speciality and they want to do it. Otherwise "why don't you bring some drinks or juice for the kids?" 15 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasmama Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 (You can come hide in the back of the closet with me until December 26th. Quick and be quiet. No relatives here. :D ) 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasmama Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 Â Â Â Â This is so beautiful! Â 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 If she drives you crazy that day, you could always banish yourself to the basement and hang out with the boys. 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasider Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 I'm just shaking my head that a bunch of grown men can't be trusted to bring saltines and hot sauce to their own annual oyster feast. Â Did they forget the beer, too? 33 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyStoner Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 I'm just shaking my head that a bunch of grown men can't be trusted to bring saltines and hot sauce to their own annual oyster feast. Â Did they forget the beer, too? And the oysters. 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyStoner Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 The perfect weight loss diet for me would be unlimited green bean casserole and sweet potato casserole. I'd be happy to voluntarily fast. Indefinitely. Â I really dislike cream of glop soups. 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 Or ketchup! Or spicy ketchup, hitting both veggie and hot sauce categories. Â ETA: Sorry, Stacia! Was posting slowly on my phone. :) Â :lol: Â No worries. If we were invited to Quill's party, you & I could supply not just the party but the entire neighborhood with Christmas ketchup! Mmmm. Mmmm. Good! Â And, now I'm wondering... since ketchup contains a good bit of sugar, would it also cover the dessert category too? Â Just sayin'. ;) 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 Â Â Gorgeous! I could eat this as my entire meal. Â 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happi duck Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 :lol: Â No worries. If we were invited to Quill's party, you & I could supply not just the party but the entire neighborhood with Christmas ketchup! Mmmm. Mmmm. Good! Â And, now I'm wondering... since ketchup contains a good bit of sugar, would it also cover the dessert category too? Â Just sayin'. ;) Didn't they used to sell green ketchup? That would totally up the festive factor when paired with the normal red! Â Christmas ketchup for everyone!! 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idnib Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 This is so beautiful! Â Â Thanks. I forgot to add the kids couldn't resist the new landscape and hid some (washed) Army men toys in there too! 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 Didn't they used to sell green ketchup? That would totally up the festive factor when paired with the normal red! Â Christmas ketchup for everyone!! Â I think the green ketchup kind is what zoobie's bringing to the party...? :lol: Â I'm never going to think of ketchup the same way again. It has suddenly become a very festive food in my book! Â You could do a whole fancy ketchup tasting thing w/ pretty little dishes w/ a variety of ketchups & then make little pigs-in-blankets for dipping into the 'fancy' ketchups. It sounds like a 1970s throwback meal. You could totally run with this idea, Quill. The idea is totally free of charge for you. Just think of it as your little Christmas gift of happiness from zoobie, happi duck, & me. Â Zoobie & happi duck, I think we need to start our own retro/theme catering business. You in? 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 Thanks. I forgot to add the kids couldn't resist the new landscape and hid some (washed) Army men toys in there too! Â That's totally awesome. A Toy Story veggie tray! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucy the Valiant Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 I think you should let her know that your vegetable side will be saltines & hot sauce (because the hot sauce is - um - tomato-like - right? - with lycopene?). 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoobie Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 I think the green ketchup kind is what zoobie's bringing to the party...? :lol: Â I'm never going to think of ketchup the same way again. It has suddenly become a very festive food in my book! Â You could do a whole fancy ketchup tasting thing w/ pretty little dishes w/ a variety of ketchups & then make little pigs-in-blankets for dipping into the 'fancy' ketchups. It sounds like a 1970s throwback meal. You could totally run with this idea, Quill. The idea is totally free of charge for you. Just think of it as your little Christmas gift of happiness from zoobie, happi duck, & me. Â Zoobie & happi duck, I think we need to start our own retro/theme catering business. You in? I'm in! Let's make this too for Quill's dinner: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/molded-vegetable-salad 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 I'm in! Let's make this too for Quill's dinner: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/molded-vegetable-salad  Sure thing!  ( :ack2: -- I think I had to make that in my 7th grade Home Ec class.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 I think you should email her back and tell her that you have been thinking it over and you now realize that anything you could possibly bring would pale in comparison to the delicious foods she will be preparing, so you have decided not to even bother trying. Then verify the time for dinner and promise not to be late. Â Also ask if it's OK if you bring along some professional wrestling DVDs for the boys to watch in the family room after dinner. 21 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WagsWife Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 I didn't get the impression Quill saw it as a "big deal," but humorous in the absurdity of the situation. If I thought this was meant to be a serious cry for help, I couldn't get past noodles for Thanksgiving Day dinner. I mean, lolwut? Â Â If you are from the Mid-West...there is a very good chance that you have noodles (chicken and noodles, beef and noodles) at most large gatherings...especially a holiday. Â Noodles and mashed potatoes are two things my husband and kids see as non negotiable for Thanksgiving. Â Â 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WagsWife Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 Turkey tetrazzini, maybe? Â I've had seafood on T-giving too. (Seems kind-of Pilgrim-y since they lived along the coast....) Â <shrug> Â Â LOL...more like this: Â http://www.asimplehomecook.com/homemade-noodles/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 I was trying to keep it to myself, but the noddles and the seafood for a skeet shoot threw me too. Â Maybe this is how our guests react to Mexican Food for a Christmas gathering with my family? Oh, you all do not know about the noodles, but the noodles are a crucial tradition and man, the are so darn good! And the oysters? That's a Chesapeake Bay thing. You get them in months that end in "er." It's necessary. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 If you are from the Mid-West...there is a very good chance that you have noodles (chicken and noodles, beef and noodles) at most large gatherings...especially a holiday. Noodles and mashed potatoes are two things my husband and kids see as non negotiable for Thanksgiving. Yup. MIL is from Missur-a. :D No noodles is not even a holiday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 I'm just shaking my head that a bunch of grown men can't be trusted to bring saltines and hot sauce to their own annual oyster feast. Â Did they forget the beer, too? Oh, no. THAT they would not possibly forget. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasider Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 Oh, no. THAT they would not possibly forget. Color me not surprised. :D 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 I must be mellowing in my old age. I don't see it as a big deal. Decide what are bringing and send her an email back to let her know. I'm guessing there is some back history that makes this seem worse to you. She's organizing it the way she wants to. When it's your holiday, you can organize how you want to. Â Try to relax and enjoy the holiday. Yeah, there's backstory. She's a giant PITA. That's the backstory. There has actually been three additional e-mails from her today that I didn't see; we were at a funeral. Marney cannot let it rest until she knows exactly what I'm bringing. Â P.s. i'm seriously considering the shirt. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 LOL...more like this: Â http://www.asimplehomecook.com/homemade-noodles/ Yes. EXACTLY like that! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 I am THISCLOSE to replying, "Okay, Marney." With or without the embedded link. I can't decide. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmyontheFarm Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 If you reply like that you might get yourself uninvited. Wait, what would be the bad part of being uninvited? 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 Okay, I just told her what I'm bring, and I typed "Marney," which is passably similar to her actual name. Ooopsie! Sorry. Typo. 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happi duck Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 I'm in! Let's make this too for Quill's dinner: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/molded-vegetable-salad Woot! Any recipe that has "molded" in the name has got to be great! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocassie Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 I see a little of both sides. Â I am the organized type person, and want to make sure we have all bases covered. Â Also, if it's at my house, I sort of want to figure out what needs to be cooked when. Â However, I am go with the flow too. Â As in, if you change your mind about what you want to bring or also bring something else that's fine. Â If something gets forgotten, oh well. Â Â I do assign specific dishes because the ensuing emails would sound like this: Â "Well what do you want to bring?" Â "I thought maybe this but so and so doesn't like it so maybe I shouldn't bring it. Â What are you going to bring?" Â "I don't know. Â I think I"ll decide after I know what everyone else is going to bring." Â "Hey Mom, will you make a chocolate cake?" Â "You know you shouldn't ask mom to bake a cake. Â It's too much work with how she has been feeling lately." Â Mom - "I will bring a chocolate cake." Â "No mom, we have the cake covered. Â Just show up." Â "Who wants to make a chocolate cake." Â Crickets chirping....... Â and then the whole thing starts over again. Â Ahh, it's enough to drive me batty. Â It's easier to assign, and let them swap if they want too. Â Hugs. Â Family dynamics are always fun. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 I see a little of both sides. I am the organized type person, and want to make sure we have all bases covered. Also, if it's at my house, I sort of want to figure out what needs to be cooked when. However, I am go with the flow too. As in, if you change your mind about what you want to bring or also bring something else that's fine. If something gets forgotten, oh well. Â I do assign specific dishes because the ensuing emails would sound like this: Â "Well what do you want to bring?" Â "I thought maybe this but so and so doesn't like it so maybe I shouldn't bring it. What are you going to bring?" Â "I don't know. I think I"ll decide after I know what everyone else is going to bring." Â "Hey Mom, will you make a chocolate cake?" Â "You know you shouldn't ask mom to bake a cake. It's too much work with how she has been feeling lately." Â Mom - "I will bring a chocolate cake." Â "No mom, we have the cake covered. Just show up." Â "Who wants to make a chocolate cake." Â Crickets chirping....... and then the whole thing starts over again. Ahh, it's enough to drive me batty. It's easier to assign, and let them swap if they want too. Â Hugs. Family dynamics are always fun. Ha! It's like you know us! Yeah, there have been e-mails like this on other topics. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idnib Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 I got a new idea driving around town today. Â Just email back and ask them if they like original or extra crispy. Â Please (said in pleading whiny voice)...I kinda want to see what happens. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bibliophile Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 Wow. That's cutting it pretty close to Christmas with those specific requests. I'd probably respond, "I've already completed my holiday trip to the grocery store. I will be bringing x & y. See ya soon!" 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 I got a new idea driving around town today. Â Just email back and ask them if they like original or extra crispy. Â Please (said in pleading whiny voice)...I kinda want to see what happens. I can't. I've expended my daily quota of Passive-Agressive replies. 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barnwife Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 If you are from the Mid-West...there is a very good chance that you have noodles (chicken and noodles, beef and noodles) at most large gatherings...especially a holiday.  Noodles and mashed potatoes are two things my husband and kids see as non negotiable for Thanksgiving.   Ummm...I've lived in the Midwest most of my life (except the year I studied abroad), and I've never encountered noodles at Thanksgiving. Or heard of it until this thread. This is not a Midwest thing.  To the OP: annoying relatives are the worst. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyStoner Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 That's one of my bizarro pregnancy cravings. I think it's the MSG :o I'm lactose intolerant so my hatred of cream of glop soup is...very strong. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Lulu* Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 I can't. I've expended my daily quota of Passive-Agressive replies. This cannot be true! Â Passive-Agressive replies have no quota during the months of November and December. 21 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasider Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 This cannot be true! Â Passive-Agressive replies have no quota during the months of November and December. Unless they're coming AT you. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acadie Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 Is there a Boston Market anywhere near you? Â The largest Creamed Spinach they've got, then think not another thought about these people, nor their derned vegetables! Â And if there's no Boston Market, then whatever grocery store carries such a thing, frozen or fresh. Â Make it work for you, whether that's bringing saltines and hot sauce with a wicked grin, or some no brainer veggie, or whatever. Â Â Nuts is nuts! Â Merry Christmas! Â Amy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 I'm in the Midwest. We have chicken and noodles (preferably over mashed potatoes), but we've never had them on a holiday. They're more of a Sunday dinner thing here. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Lulu* Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 Unless they're coming AT you. Oh, no, no quotas. Â That is what mulled cider spiked with bourbon is for. Â Or screwdrivers, or mimosas, or frozen daquris in sonic cups, or wine.............. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renthead Mommy Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 Is there a Boston Market anywhere near you?  The largest Creamed Spinach they've got, then think not another thought about these people, nor their derned vegetables!  And if there's no Boston Market, then whatever grocery store carries such a thing, frozen or fresh.  Make it work for you, whether that's bringing saltines and hot sauce with a wicked grin, or some no brainer veggie, or whatever.   Nuts is nuts!  Merry Christmas!  Amy  Costco had big containers of them. Just pop in the microwave.  I used to make a copy cat Boston Market creamed spin, but the squeezing out the spinach is actually a lot of work, and juice makes my knuckles really itchie. So from now on we are buying it! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 You could add relish to the ketchup and round out the vegetable group. Or you could take a big box of instant mashed potatoes. :lol: 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 I'm in the Midwest. We have chicken and noodles (preferably over mashed potatoes), but we've never had them on a holiday. They're more of a Sunday dinner thing here.  Chicken AND Noodles ALL over mashed potatoes!? Wow - live and learn. I am in the upper midwest and I've never had that. I have had green bean casserole and I'm in the gross camp on that. Anything made with a can of highly processed cream soup is not for me! :ack2:  I think this thread is hilarious! So I am having my only sibling and his family over tomorrow for a small Christmas celebration, gift exchange and dinner. We only see them a few times a year. Honestly, they aren't super enjoyable to get together with if I'm going to be honest and there's so much history of them blowing us off, not showing up or being extremely late for events, drawing the entire family into their drama, etc. So they just irritate me WAY too easily already.  He asked what he should bring. So in contrast to Quill's MIL and Marney (ROFL!) I'm trying to be nice and I told him what I'm making, hinting at some areas where there are holes in the menu, and said let me know what you want to bring. He said he is bringing a bottle of wine for his wife because she's picky about wine. Umm ok dude. I'll make you a $90 standing rib roast and you just bring your wife some wine, won't you. FTR - I brought like 3 sides/appetizers to his house last Christmas. And beer. And wine. He asked what time - I said about 2. He said, oh we need to come earlier because of the football game.  Guess who does not give a flying leap about the football game? Oh - and my adorable teenager just reported he has a mandatory thing for this youth council he is on tomorrow night when we're supposed to be eating dinner he forgot to tell us about months ago. AWESOME!  I'm going to keep singing ... oh may the joy and the wonder of the holiday season fill your hearts and lives! Cheers!  :cheers2: 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luckymama Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 Is it bad of me that I look forward to Quill's holiday sil posts? Â :lol: 22 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idnib Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 Is it bad of me that I look forward to Quill's holiday sil posts? Â :lol: Â I'm going to say it doesn't make you bad because that would mean I'm bad too. 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 LOL...more like this: Â http://www.asimplehomecook.com/homemade-noodles/ Â Ah, thanks for the info. I've never heard of that, esp. for T-giving. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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