Friday, December 04, 2009
Thanksgiving
This year's Thanksgiving festivities were somewhat different from the past couple of years in that Amaguri was once again working and Auntie J was enjoying a well-deserved vacation at a luxurious spa with her husband Uncle D. So chibiguri and I were somewhat at a loss as to what we would do since the last two years, we have joined Auntie J to cook together.
Fortunately, a musically inclined friend of mine stepped into the breach adn invited us to hsi place for Thanksgiving. Since two of chibiguri's closest friends (a pair of twins with whom he often plays) were also scheduled to attend, I gratefully accepted. After Amaguri had checked in with the twins' mother and verified that yes, they did intend to be there!
Upon entering the house, we laid eyes on the twins playing 'jump down the stairs into a pile of cushions' with my friend's youngest son. But chibiguri was as usual very shy and would not be parted from me, despite his friends importuning him to join in the 'fun'. I meanwhile was introduced to the other guests and engaged in vareied repartee on a broad range of topics. in addition, I surveyed the collection of edibles - three turkeys and a vast array of side dishes! Buyt chibiguri would not be separated. In fact, he refused to be seated with his friends and instead insisted upon being seated beside me, somewhat upsetting the table settings. But things were rearranged and gradually he became accustomed to the many strangers.
After dinner, the other kids repaired to the living room and commenced their adventurous flights down the stairs. At last, chibiguri decided that maybe this WAS OK, and he somewhat shyly indicated that he would like to try too. Once was enough. As he arose from the cushion pile, his eyes shining, he immediately launched himself back toward the apex of the stairs and only remonstration on our behalf convinced him that it was someone else's turn first! For the remainder of the night, he was intimately involved with the fun and games begin carried out by the kids while I partook of the discussion amongst the adults.
When it was time to go home, he hung back and insisted on remaining - only the threat of forcible removal persuaded him that it was time to go home. Turkey, pies, jumping down stairs - I think the evening was a tremendous success. I can only hope our antics did not wear out our welcome!
Fortunately, a musically inclined friend of mine stepped into the breach adn invited us to hsi place for Thanksgiving. Since two of chibiguri's closest friends (a pair of twins with whom he often plays) were also scheduled to attend, I gratefully accepted. After Amaguri had checked in with the twins' mother and verified that yes, they did intend to be there!
Upon entering the house, we laid eyes on the twins playing 'jump down the stairs into a pile of cushions' with my friend's youngest son. But chibiguri was as usual very shy and would not be parted from me, despite his friends importuning him to join in the 'fun'. I meanwhile was introduced to the other guests and engaged in vareied repartee on a broad range of topics. in addition, I surveyed the collection of edibles - three turkeys and a vast array of side dishes! Buyt chibiguri would not be separated. In fact, he refused to be seated with his friends and instead insisted upon being seated beside me, somewhat upsetting the table settings. But things were rearranged and gradually he became accustomed to the many strangers.
After dinner, the other kids repaired to the living room and commenced their adventurous flights down the stairs. At last, chibiguri decided that maybe this WAS OK, and he somewhat shyly indicated that he would like to try too. Once was enough. As he arose from the cushion pile, his eyes shining, he immediately launched himself back toward the apex of the stairs and only remonstration on our behalf convinced him that it was someone else's turn first! For the remainder of the night, he was intimately involved with the fun and games begin carried out by the kids while I partook of the discussion amongst the adults.
When it was time to go home, he hung back and insisted on remaining - only the threat of forcible removal persuaded him that it was time to go home. Turkey, pies, jumping down stairs - I think the evening was a tremendous success. I can only hope our antics did not wear out our welcome!
Labels: food, thanksgiving
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Cooking For Mom
This past Thansgiving, Amaguri was working, so my sister and I took on the task of preparing Thanksgiuving dinner for the family. As per our custom, we prepared a whole turkey, stuffing, cranberries, mashed sweet potatos and pumpikin pie. naturally, chibiguri wanted to help. But, his help was less than optimal.
However, we learned from last year and spent the morning wearing him out. As a result, when we prepared the turkey for roasting, he was peacefully sleeping on the couch. And was not in our way. However, that would be the only time in the afternoon when he was not underfoot. As dinner progressed, chibiguri rediscovered the joys of playing with pots and pans, and proceeded to remove them all from their cupboard and distributed them around the kitchen, much to our annoyance (and discomfort). However, this was minro compared to chibiguri's later activities. He decided that sitting immediately below Auntie's feet as she was engaged in making the cranberries was a Good Thing. Auntie disagreed, since she needed to be able to move freely around the kitchen!
However, despite chibiguri's presence in our way throughout most of the afternoon, we did manage to complete the dinner and Amaguri complimented us on our cooking 'skills'. We refrained from sharing the credit with chibiguri, though after spending the day cooking around chibiguri's presence, we did have a much better appreciation for Amaguri's home-making skills on those days she is home with chibiguri.
However, we learned from last year and spent the morning wearing him out. As a result, when we prepared the turkey for roasting, he was peacefully sleeping on the couch. And was not in our way. However, that would be the only time in the afternoon when he was not underfoot. As dinner progressed, chibiguri rediscovered the joys of playing with pots and pans, and proceeded to remove them all from their cupboard and distributed them around the kitchen, much to our annoyance (and discomfort). However, this was minro compared to chibiguri's later activities. He decided that sitting immediately below Auntie's feet as she was engaged in making the cranberries was a Good Thing. Auntie disagreed, since she needed to be able to move freely around the kitchen!
However, despite chibiguri's presence in our way throughout most of the afternoon, we did manage to complete the dinner and Amaguri complimented us on our cooking 'skills'. We refrained from sharing the credit with chibiguri, though after spending the day cooking around chibiguri's presence, we did have a much better appreciation for Amaguri's home-making skills on those days she is home with chibiguri.
Labels: cooking, thanksgiving
