COVID-19 and Holidays

The CDC has just put out Thanksgiving Guidelines that I think answers a few questions for me. One is that we make our own food - Hey, more leftovers! And secondly use paper plates and plastic utensils and paper plates- Hardly any cleanup. We always go to my sister's and she makes a huge mess! A third is to store your mask when you eat.

I think that my sister wants to eat in the woodshop but I'd rather tailgate. I guess that we will still have to wait for the weather forecast. Has anyone else made more definite plans? Or have other tips?

UPDATE- My Governor has passed a stay-at-home-for-Thanksgiving demand and a "pause" for 2 weeks. So, of course, we have had to cancel our plans for being with my sister. This makes me so very sad. I miss her so much even if we talk almost every day and email or text on top of that.

There's something about being with someone- there's a precious space that people take up. I miss that space. I miss the smells and sounds of other people who make up my world, other people's dogs and cats. I miss the particular feel of hugging someone and experience the warmth that they give me. This is indeed going to be a sad Thanksgiving. But not a lost Thanksgiving.

We have decided to cook our own turkey dinner and all of the fixings. You can call me out for complaining about left-overs later! We will pop a cork, or two and look out on our property and be very, very thankful that we are still sharing this time together. Twenty-three years ago I was diagnosed with my first lung cancer. I am so thankful for every breath that I take. They are gifts that I never expected.

We will have a zoom call with my scattered family and have a toast, or two. We can exchange thoughts and feelings and what we are thankful for. For this year, since so much has changed, I am thankful for is them, my family. Although I won't feel their warmth this year I can imagine it and see them and hear their voices. I am very lucky.

What are your plans? Have they changed? What are you feeling?

@merpreb. You read my mind. I have mixed feelings about this Thanksgiving. This is my favorite holiday of the year. It's all about family, getting together with those we don't usually see during the year with no expectations of gift giving like Christmas. Just good old fashion around the kitchen chit chat and who's getting the crispy skin of the turkey. Even though I have a small family here in the US, we started planning at the beginning of November... My daughter would order fresh turkey, then we decide who's going to bring what. Exchanging recipes etc. Just the anticipation is worth the price of gold, culminating in a wonderful day at Thanksgiving.

Alas, it's not meant to be this year, while I am very sad about not spending it with my family, I am thankful that we are all safe. We'll have a zoom gathering instead. I'm planning on roasting a Cornish game hen! Looks like it will be the same for Christmas as well.

I hope that the coming year will be better. I read somewhere that there's no light without darkness. It's pretty dark now, let's pray for the light!

Be safe, and have a great Thanksgiving, no matter how you celebrate it.

Well said. This whole year has been sad. But we do have so much to be thankful for. Praying for better times in the new year. Have a blessed Thanksgiving.

I have found that planning a future gathering (post-Covid) has taken my mind off this season. Figuring out who to invite, where to put up our big party tent, music, menus...

Or maybe we'll have a series of parties - one for family, one for neighbors, one for friends, one for my gardening gang..I'm thinking a summer-long celebration in 2022, and I'll hire kitchen help so we can relax and enjoy.
Sue

@sueinmn- Good morning. We have some upgrades to do on the house, but nothing major. I need to pick out colors for painting the inside, some new furniture and then I can plan a party! Hiring kitchen help is the only way, or having it catered!

Yes, I am sitting in my kitchen waiting for my husband finish hooking up my new range. We needed to replace the over range microwave, and to my surprise he asked for a new stove as well because things were beginning to break down on the old one and he didn't want to tear it apart again! I did a little research, Monday we made an appointment for an individual consult at our favorite appliance store, came home with 4 options and made the final choices by phone. They delivered yesterday, put up the microwave and took away the 22 year old ones - wow! Lots has changed on the range - convection, touchpads, 5 different BTU burners, all that shiny black & stainless steel. Of course, now he is talking about replacing the over 20 year old refrigerator and dishwasher as well...maybe I'll wait a few months.

So much time at home has me looking at painting, and spring will bring the wood floor refinishers and replacement of the tiny piece of carpet we do have one the stairs and in the main hallway. Maybe I should go South instead - very little to "fix" in my tiny house.
Sue

@sueinmn- DOn't you think that you will feel less confined if you stay at home this year?

Hi Sue! You may find a reduction in your energy bills with newer appliances. I just replaced my 20 yr dishwasher with an Energy Star one. I need to replace my above microwave too. It died. I want new flooring also. Seems we are on a similar path.

@windwalker- Both our washer and dryer and refrig are on their last legs too. I'm hesitating to allow anyone in to replace them.