Thursday, November 28, 2024

Some Thanksgiving Ubuntu

At the end of Thanksgiving dinner when everyone was saying what we were thankful for, I said I was so thankful for all the people we had around the table. This was true. We had a very full table. 

But the table was also full of a staggering amount of leftovers. I made 12 dishes not counting the pies (which I did not make) or the appetizers (which I did assemble/make)... and people loved the appetizers and the soup and then seemed to run out of steam for the meal itself. Even after people rallied and took leftovers home, there was still A LOT on the table. 

I'd really worked my butt off all day and I wanted people to enjoy it today instead of stockpiling leftovers forever, so I offered it on a local Facebook group. Then there were like 200 people blessing me (just for donating extras!?!) and quite a few takers. I had to take food to my grandbaby's family and drop At off anyway, so I loaded up the car and set off. And then At said they'd like to go with me to drop off food, so I got so much extra chatting time with my older lovey. (Jenny--see what I mean about my older one being a bit like yours?)  

At the end of the evening, as I dropped At off and headed home, I felt so satisfied: as though I was flying home, as though every traffic light in my way was green... I realized later that it could have just been because this was a day when the roads were empty... but it still felt pretty awesome.

It reminded me of my Ubuntu Canteen days.

Pic: A reasonably vague shot of the table when Big A and I got up to set up the dessert station.

18 comments:

Nicole said...

What a great thing to do with leftovers! I was listening to a podcast and a guy said that he refuses to have snacks/ appetizers/ etc for his Thanksgiving guests because he wants them to really devour his meal (he buys like three turkeys), but his tip for people who want to entertain for less was to serve bowls of Chex Mix or what have you, that is filling, so that a turkey goes farther. It was really interesting to listen to how other people do things, you know? I have never hosted a Thanksgiving myself, but I do like to have a LOT of food and I never want my guests to leave unsatisfied but I also don't want a ton of leftovers. Anyway, it seems to me you had the perfect combo, you're feeing the whole neighbourhood, literally!

Jenny said...

What a lovely idea! We have a lot of leftovers, but my son will probably eat most of them. And, both my kids woke up late yesterday and refused to eat anything until dinner! I wasn't really thrilled with this, but since we ate dinner on the early side, it was okay. So let's just say they were extra hungry by the time we ate.
It's funny that you feel our older kids are similar, because I always feel like our younger ones are similar. Too bad we live hundreds of miles away from each other : ( Our kids could be friends.

Gillian said...

Nice

Anonymous said...

I'm sure the food was appreciated in a house with a new baby. And elsewhere, too. We have a moderate amount of everything left over, but stuffing and pie is all we have in abundance. We had three pies for seven people.

J said...

I love my Buy Nothing group. I think I'm just giving something away that I don't want to go to waste, and then people will post something that says, "Thank you to everyone who helped during my divorce when I couldn't afford to feed my kids" or something like that, and it shatters me.

Less fraught, I gave away my front porch pumpkin today (which my asshole squirrel has been nibbling at) to someone who is going to take them to feed to animals, I assume at the local zoo. Or maybe they're feeding asshole squirrels?

Happy Thanksgiving, I'm glad to have finally come to your blog.

Nance said...

Thanksgiving is all about bountiful food, so it's great that you shared the bounty with others. We went to Jared and Jordan's, so there was no bounty here; I'll remedy that by making my own turkey next week. I can't have a house without leftover turkey, and it never goes to waste.

I love photos from your home--they're always a riot of colour.

maya said...

Nicole--Haha, you're on to me! I don't like leftovers. I get bored so easily and cannot eat the same thing. So this may have been self-preservation. :)

maya said...

Jenny, I'm so glad WE are friends!!!

maya said...

:)

maya said...

Steph, That is a great ratio! Pie is the one thing I'm happy to eat for days after Thanksgiving...

maya said...

Jules--Yes... Bonding over Mulder and Scout and some shared Indian connections and roots has been so lovely.

Our Buy Nothing group can be heartbreaking at times. There's so much need in our part of the world...

maya said...

Thank you, Nance! Happy turkey week to you. Turkey gets such a bad rap, so I'm glad to hear you enjoy it. Do you have a special recipe/trick/tip?
Sounds like new traditions with Jared-Jordan-Theo hosting <3

Nance said...

For leftovers? Rick loves sandwiches, and I always make turkey curry soup (freezing plenty) and a nice big turkey pot pie with a double crust. And I am careful to buy a small turkey--15 lbs at most.

maya said...

Thanks, Nance; noted! I don't eat turkey myself--and the fam is always suggesting we make roast chicken instead. But when we host international students, I feel turkey is damn near mandatory.

Sarah said...

So perfect! What a fun table too :)

maya said...

Thanks!

Mom of Children said...

Twelve dishes??? Wow, that's amazing!!! And what a great thing to do with the leftovers!

Lisa's Yarns said...

Oh gosh - 12 dishes. That is so much! Donating the leftovers as really generous. I have rarely hosted a holiday but when I have, the leftovers is one of the best parts! But I love leftovers. I know some people are not as into them!

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