Success!

My family dinner was a success. Chris cleaned the house while I cooked the food and ran to the store for emergency celery (for real). Remember how I was all "my house is a damned mess!"? Well it is now clean as a whistle. Nothing motives one to clean like making plans two days in advance.

 I made a pretty delicious turkey that was well cooked despite the meat thermometer telling me the breast was 5º under and the thighs were 10º under.

What is it with me and cooking thermometers lately?

I also made mashed potatoes, gravy (with the help of one of my fils), cranberry sauce and dressing. That's right, we have just undergone Thanksgiving 4.0. And it was kind of great.

My inlaws haven't spent this much time with one another in a long time. It was really neat seeing them walk around the house chatting and playing with the kids and having time to actually have my own conversations with them too. Because sometimes I don't get to talk much when we are dining at their houses. I don't know how it happens, but it does.

I partially blame my somewhat introvert nature. Also I am very much an observer, I like to watch things happen around me. *shrug*

I'm just pleased the meal went well. There was zero stress on my part and I was not even anxious when people kept popping into the kitchen while I was finishing things up. And the meal was served on time so there was plenty of time to eat and visit afterward.

We had 2 extra plates from the good set because the kids were eating off their kidware, which makes me think I really need to get the other 4 settings for the full 12 place setting. That way kids and all grandparents will have a place. Or my husband's sibs and spouses and hypothetical offspring, etc.

Basically I'm declaring 2012 the year my house will be OPEN FOR BUSINESS with regards to hosting family gatherings.