Bummed because I am at the inlaws for thanks giving...

ChuckR

They are so excited because they got everything from the Fresh market. They think it tastes delicious. It makes me want to vomit. They also believe that no one like to cook. At least it is only once every other year I have to do this. 

YukonRon

Happy Thanksgiving?

WeberWho

That's too bad about the food. Don't let it wreck your day. You're fortunate to break bread with family. Not everyone gets to do that today. Wash it down with a couple cold beers and toss a turkey on the egg tomorrow. Win/Win!

lousubcap

Should you wish to never go back (and that is quite a risky approach) you can set them straight during the dinner conversation and volunteer to host every year.  The deeper you get into the reasons the more likely you will succeed.  And on a SWMBO front you could pay a price.  
Just go with it and make the best of it.  
Edit:  with enough hot sauce you can standardize the taste of anything.  

Legume

Be thankful, you are with family and it's a turkey dinner for chrissakes.  The best turkey dinner ever still doesn't make anyone's top ten, it's the family, the event, the nostalgia of passed down family recipes and tradition.  Offer to pass some tradition on to them, but don't complain about their way.

nolaegghead

I feel your pain.  About to live it...

ChuckR

Legume said:

Be thankful, you are with family and it's a turkey dinner for chrissakes.  The best turkey dinner ever still doesn't make anyone's top ten, it's the family, the event, the nostalgia of passed down family recipes and tradition.  Offer to pass some tradition on to them, but don't complain about their way.

Legume please don't get me wrong. I am thankful to be with family today. However my parents always make a homemade thanksgiving and I am nostalgic for that. 

SoCalTim

Brother, today it's all about being with family and friends, at my shop ... i have three older workers who have no one - literally no where to go. I'd invite them to my home, but this year i'm at my sisters.

Happy Thanksgiving!

SmokenBonesATX

I feel your pain. On one hand I agree with being happy to be with family. On the other, Thanksgiving means a home cooked meal. I’ve convinced my parents to let me do the turkey at Christmas, but Mom insists her mashed “potatoes” from the box will be just as good as the real thing. Part of my soul died when I heard that. 

Legume

ChuckR said:

show previous quotes

Legume said:

Be thankful, you are with family and it's a turkey dinner for chrissakes.  The best turkey dinner ever still doesn't make anyone's top ten, it's the family, the event, the nostalgia of passed down family recipes and tradition.  Offer to pass some tradition on to them, but don't complain about their way.

Legume please don't get me wrong. I am thankful to be with family today. However my parents always make a homemade thanksgiving and I am nostalgic for that. 

I get you ChuckR and hope you all have a helluva good time.  We have had to negotiate splitting holidays, hosting holidays and everything in between over the years.  Sometimes we just cook our own turkey dinner a few days or a week later so we can have leftovers.  Hopefully I didn't come off too cranky, just missing family a bit myself this weekend.

Foghorn

It's just food.  If more of us viewed it as just like the gas we have to put in our cars and only consumed the amount we need, there would be a lot less obesity.

It's ironic to embrace that on Thanksgiving - I get it.  None of us come to this site to embrace that line of thought.  I get that as well.  

But I'm at work today.  I'd take Thanksgiving at my in-laws with storebought food over being at work ALMOST every day.  

GrillSgt

I'm with you Chuck. You'll get no shaming from me. 

Killit_and_Grillit

Every Thanksgiving I look at this picture. 

Thanksgiving on the Afghan/Pakistan border. 

And it reminds me to be thankful...that this year there is bourbon to wash down an equally terrible meal. 

(Seriously, my FILs mom can’t cook for $hit)

Fred19Flintstone

Take heart, brother, things could be worse.  My MIL flew here on her broomstick two weeks ago.  She will visit Wilma's aunt for a week after Thanksgiving and then be back here until she hops on her broom and leaves on Dec 9th.

good times for sure.

DuckDogDr

I'm here at work..our boss was recently diagnosed with cancer (beat it)..but since then has been on gmo free...preservative free stuff...

Which straight out of the garden man it's great...

.when she's buying from the hippy food store where it's been sitting for a week ...not so much..but it's food and I'm fortunate enough to call most of my coworkers extended family

Navymom

Sorry you are bummed because you have to spend Thanksgiving with your in-laws, you are lucky to have them to spend time with. Try spending Thanksgiving (and Christmas) searching pictures posted from the middle of an ocean for a glimpse of your child that you've seen once this year.

gdenby

ChuckR, ask to bring something next year, don't be offensive. Brag a bit, say you came across this great recipe, really happy w. how it tuned out, etc. Yes, you might get sucked into being the holiday host, or worse, they might actually like Fresh market better. But if not, you might manage to get some folks to consider learning to cook for themselves. Tho' I have a sister-in-law who can't understand when I tell her I like cooking because of how much intrinsic pleasure there is in it. I suppose for some people, its just a chore.

nolaegghead

Everything was catered this year, but turned out delicious.  

ChuckR

Navymom said:

Sorry you are bummed because you have to spend Thanksgiving with your in-laws, you are lucky to have them to spend time with. Try spending Thanksgiving (and Christmas) searching pictures posted from the middle of an ocean for a glimpse of your child that you've seen once this year.

 You missed my point entirely. In my follow up post I said I was glad to be with family, however I was feeling nostalgic for a home cooked meal like I grew up with. As this is a cooking related website my point was I do not like having a meal from a grocery store. I am sorry your child is away, but I appreciate their service.  

erniemcclain

Start talking politics. That will fix it.  

nolaegghead

erniemcclain said:

Start talking politics. That will fix it.  

I have bone spurs on my foot.  Sorry, can't participate.

Theophan

I can see both points of view.  I think most of us love to cook, and even though there's work and time involved, it just feels festive and really good to offer something good that you made.  But it's also true that the people cooking are usually putting HOURS into it, sometimes for multiple DAYS, and there's something to be said for focusing less on the food and more on the people, being relaxed and not worn out really able to focus on them, and not so much on the cooking and the serving, etc..

Someone I knew, many years ago, said she told her (adult) daughters once that she had a GREAT idea for Thanksgiving: why don't we order PIZZA!  That way no one is exhausted and cranky, no one even has to clean up, and we can just relax and have a great time enjoying each other's company.  <sound of crickets>  Daughters wanted no part of it -- they wanted Mom to prepare a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, so she did.

I'm actually against trying to change other people.  If it's their turn, and they are hosting, and what they really want to do is buy the meal, I'd say when it's their turn let them do what they want and not try to re-make it the way YOU want it.  Try to enjoy their hospitality and enjoy their company.  If it's just breaking your heart not cooking, cook the week before or the week after, just for you and your family at home.  

I think if they've clearly said they want to order the meal out, there's no way to offer to bring something that isn't an implied criticism of their choice.  If it's their turn, let it be their turn, and enjoy them the way they are.

DoubleEgger

In some families like mine @Theophan there’s no “turns”. I will be eating the exact same meal at mine and my wife’s parent’s house until they are dead or physically unable to cook. There’s nothing that will change that. Bringing something other than maybe a dessert is verboten. 

bgebrent

Best times are with family, whether recognized or not.

blasting

ChuckR said:

It makes me want to vomit. At least it is only once every other year I have to do this. 

Chuck, this is your father-in-law.  Clearly you were not aware that I too am on this forum.  My food makes you want to vomit?  

tml1230

Killit_and_Grillit said:

Every Thanksgiving I look at this picture. 

Thanksgiving on the Afghan/Pakistan border. 

And it reminds me to be thankful...that this year there is bourbon to wash down an equally terrible meal. 

(Seriously, my FILs mom can’t cook for $hit)

tml1230

Sorry for the double post....  Thanks for your service and also for a very profound  post... Hope you and family remain safe.

Fred19Flintstone

Thanks for your service and the hearty belly laugh.  Being thankful for bourbon to wash down your terrible meal is hilarious!  I am thankful for bourbon from time to time as well. 

Its a common custom for Thanksgiving diners to take turns around the table and state something they're thankful for.  "I'm thankful for bourbon so I can choke this garbage down."

littlerascal56

ChuckR...,,dude you are toast with the in laws!

caliking

Suck it up. Be a gracious guest and nod politely when asked if it's the best turkey you ever had.

And it could be worse... They could be at YOUR house instead.

YukonRon

Chuck,
No insight, or shaming, here from me. I have had horrible Thanksgiving meals in more places than I care to write about. But, for me, the idea of "Maybe next year I will be able to do..................for Thanksgiving, got me through some of the worst situations, one could imagine. If, and when, that Thanksgiving day opportunity, ever rolled my way, I followed with the vow I had made. 
Since those days of anxious prayers, in very desperate hours, I have enjoyed everything, every little thing, the real world has to offer.
Hoping today is better for you, and knowing next year on Thanksgiving, you have a plan.
Good Luck, make it awesome, and post it on here. I know, I will be standing by for greatness.
Onward Brother.
Peace.