Sunday, November 20, 2011

No such thing as control



Thanksgiving week has arrived, T minus four days and counting. I am now creating a schedule to help me understand what to cook, and when. When it comes to dinner parties, I enjoy being a control freak. Not only is the food ready (or nearly ready) to serve when the guests arrive, but the kitchen is clean, the appetizers are attractively laid out on a platter, and I'm mixing drinks or pouring wine the second the guests arrive. The mood in the chateau at those moments is serene and welcoming. Ahhhhh....

At the last minute on Thanksgiving, someone will have to be making gravy - that will be me - while someone else will be jockeying for position to pull something or another out of the oven, while someone else will be heroically carving the turkey. Everyone will be standing in the kitchen of course. I foresee mayhem!!

I will battle the forces of chaos as long as I can, but I expect that at some point on Thursday morning, I will surrender to the inevitable. Why not?

In other news I have officially stepped away from The Tell until after Thanksgiving. I miss posting here and on the Chateau Seven blog. I miss reading and hanging out with friends and all those things I used to do long ago (or so it seems long ago) before NaNoWriMo. If I were a serious writer, I would be even weirder than I already am. Holy cow, what a scary thought.

Have a wonderful Sunday, y'all. Shalom.

11 comments:

ellen abbott said...

yes, the kiddos finally decided they would come out here instead of us going there so more things for me to cook now. I'll be getting out my recipes making my lists today. And the best thing is the grandkids will stay til Sunday after their parents leave so I can just about forget getting anything accomplished til Sunday.

Reya Mellicker said...

Perfect!

Pauline said...

Hope your dinner is as fabulous as it is shaping up to be. Can't wait to hear how it all goes. That bottom photo of the yellow leaves against the blue sky is wonderful!

Steve Reed said...

I've always heard novelists talk about how difficult writing is, day after day. Until I read about your experiences with The Tell I don't think I really understood how that could be! Thanks for the window into writing a novel!

Cyndy said...

Well your top photo is very well under control with the perfectly aligned reflections. It sounds like your Thanksgiving meal is going to be fabulous thanks to all of your planning and organization. That will really pay off when you are in the thick of things.

Kerry said...

When we have a bunch of people over for big dinners I actually write out a timetable; it's the only time I'm a massive control freak. The kitchen is grand central station whenever people come here. I've learned to like it that way.

Don't worry: the weirder you get, the more we'll all love you.

Reya Mellicker said...

Kerry - thanks! Don't tempt me!! Ha.

It's great to be in such good company - I'm doing the schedule right now! Thanks for letting me know it's going to be helpful!

Reya Mellicker said...

I mean, to get weirder.

The Bug said...

We're spending the Big Day with Mike's brother & his family (apparently we're supposed to kidnap his father to get him to come). Now THAT will be chaos ruled by an iron fist. I usually just find a corner & stay out of the way :)

Anonymous said...

"I mean to get weirder". Can't tell you what a relief that is to this 58 year old who wavers between the psychic and physical realms.
Lately, although the experiences are more, I thought I'd disclose them less feeling my weirdness factor bumping up a notch or two.
You are my encouragement to "accept" and grow further, with courage and joy.
Your plans for Thanksgiving sound exciting!

Reya Mellicker said...

Pam your "weirdness" sound like beauty, health and goodness to me.