I love this part.

I'm planning. I'm planning a meal. I'm planning a special meal for special people. I love this.
It's not like I only plan special meals once a year. But when it's time to do it, I just get this warm fuzzy feeling of joy. A few weeks ago I got to do it for a group of girls staying the weekend, and it was just as much fun. This will be for Easter and my mom will be here.

Brisket? Chicken? Both? What kind of bread? Oh, and sides! Don't think about dessert yet. I'll browse known and unknown recipes, thinking about what works together and what sounds fun to make.

I never used to do this. I remember the first Thanksgiving I hosted at our house. I was a wreck. I made Mom come in two days early to help me figure out what I was doing. I had the wrong kind of cornbread for the dressing, and I don't know how anything was actually finished in time to eat it. I think that was about 7 years ago. I've gotten a little better since then, I hope.

The cooking is fun. I like that part. But the planning? THAT part I love -- I'll make lists of what and when and what gets done first and I'll gradually filter that down from the 6 days (there are 6 days!) to three days, to the day of... complete with what time each thing goes in the oven and what bowl it will be in on the table. Why yes, I'm slightly OCD, why do you ask?

I have no idea if anyone else does this. I have no idea if anyone else would think this is weird or wonder how I can consider this fun. I think it satisfies two parts of my brain -- the planner/organizer part, and the nurturer who wants to take care of people. And I love it when a plan comes together. I'll let you know when this one does.

Comments

  1. Julie DApril 17, 2011 at 8:48 PM

    Hey, Traci, I thought I'd let you know that the vegetable tian recipe you sent me turned out great, even though I forgot the tomatoes. I made it today, and there wasn't a single bite leftover.

    ReplyDelete
  2. ChristinaApril 17, 2011 at 10:15 PM

    The planning is not unlike what you do at work and I bet your meals are wonderful because I know you rock as a PM. ; )

    ReplyDelete
  3. Big Fat GiniApril 18, 2011 at 9:03 AM

    I wish I was better at planning and organizing. You'd think cooking for a family of six every day, I'd be able to handle it better but for some reason things never really work out and I'm running to the grocery store at the last minute. Maybe practice makes perfect...

    I've always thought you were an excellent hostess! I kinda miss the days of our families getting together like that, especially this time of year. I remember mom and dad's big Easter lunches at our house fondly...

    ReplyDelete
  4. ReagannApril 19, 2011 at 4:48 PM

    Just so you know, it's cool watching you plan meals and being asked my opinion.

    ReplyDelete

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