[bekajoi]

Why is it that I am the one making the turkey tomorrow??? I apparently have always done a great job with the turkeys, even when I never eat them. Blah. I didn't buy it, I'm not going to eat it or anything that comes out it's butt... (stuffing...) and I understand we're having this at MY house and I'm the only one who will be up and able to start it cooking at the right time, here~ just whining.

(I know, I should have protested... but then it would not be here, or my house would be overrun with in-laws at ungodly hours)

Anyway, I guess I'm happy to be fixing everything else. I can make sure the asparagus, potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, etc, are all vegan for myself.

And they'll never know the difference. HAHAHA.

~~~~~~~

*GAG* FIL brought over the fixin's just now... and when I picked up the turkey it squirted juice (read blood) all over my table, and my pants, and the floor. And the box dripped on my floor on its way out the door... YUCK.

It smells disgusting already. It's been so long since I cooked meat, but *GAG*~ I'm not sure this will be easy... I was hoping to avoid it all and go to family friends' house like usual. Well, we are, but not til Saturday.

Give me strength... I don't like having a dead bird in my fridge.

 

[Blue Plastic Straw]

It's a bit late now, but in the future you should suggest that your in-laws cook the turkey at their house. If they can transport an uncooked bird, they can transport a cooked one.

If it came down to handling a corpse or spending a holiday without extended family, I'd choose the latter. bleh

 

[bekajoi]

That's the thing... they NEVER cook their own turkey. I don't think they know how. They usually did a honey baked ham or something instead. Something else they didn't have to cook.

They picked up a turkey because they assumed it would be no problem for me to cook it. I guess because I did it ONCE before, when we had turkey at my mom's house. (during my 4 year stint as an omni, when I was under the misconception that a pregnant/breastfeeding woman can't be a healthy vegetarian)

I'll definately mention it tomorrow, that it's not something I'm terribly comfortable with anymore. I'll do it, but I won't be happy about it. And I'll be sure to convey that to MIL, who planned the meal. (nicely, no worries!)

 

[Aimra]

Ugh. Sounds pretty gross. Good luck.

 

[Poppy]

Sorry.

I, too, cooked the bird for the first year or so after I went veg - because I cooked it so well

. But I finally said "no more". Now Mom brings it cooked and carved, and it sits on the sideboard where I won't have to look at it. But I do smell it, and that is no fun. (The funny thing is, everyone much prefers my vegan mushroom gravy over the turkey gravy).

I would suggest starting to be vocal about how much you dislike the task and perhaps announce that this will be your last year to fix turkey. And point out how bountiful the table is and how no one will miss the turkey next year.

 

[Aimra]

Just a thought. I wouldn't mention it on Thanksgiving day. I think people get too worked up before the "big meal". Maybe tell them about it the next day or something? Just an idea.

 

[bekajoi]

If I do mention it tomorrow (which I don't have to, I see them frequently) it will be done tactfully..

Something like, "I'm glad we are having Thanksgiving here this year! It's really nice to not have to cart the kids out to spend all day somewhere else, and I really appreciate that. Maybe next year, though, we can make it so Cliff (FIL) makes the turkey at your house and brings it by when it's done. That would make it so we have room in the oven for everything else that needs to bake, and we can have dinner earlier that way, too." (FIL wakes up incredibly early, and could start the Turkey going, to be done by noon)

Or maybe by next year they'll have warmed up more to the vegetarian meal thing and be open to a turkey-free meal.

 

[jojob1969]

I feel your pain. It's not easy having an omni family. My husband and I are both working on Thanksgiving this year so we'll just have a simple meal at home. Otherwise I would just take my own food to my sister's house.

Christmas is another story. In the past, my sister usually had a turkey Christmas dinner at 1:00pm. I would usually have Christmas supper at my house in the evening. I would cook a roast, my husband made the gravy, and everything else would be vegetarian. My sister's in laws ate ate her place. My family came to dinner after eating lunch with my sister. My stepchildren came to supper at our place after having lunch with their mother.

As time goes by I feel less and less comfortable cooking meat for others. Since the omni family members all get to have a big meat meal elsewhere, I no longer feel the need to cook meat for them. This year, I'm having the family over for a vegan supper on Christmas eve.

Good luck with the turkey. Definitely mention to your in laws how uncomfortable it made you feel.

 

[Aimra]

I hoe they warm up to it. That would be nice. My family is doing great with it (my side of the family at least!). They are actually trying to veganize stuff for us.

I don't know if they'll suceed but I will eat whatever they try to make vegan. They know no eggs and milk so that is a good start.

 

[bekajoi]

Thanks guys! Good to know I'm not alone here... I think they are getting more interested and more open the more I cook for them. They liked my bean burgers & oven fries... really liked my corn chowder (I did make theirs with cow milk, but my own with soy), all bean chili, etc. They always eat vegetarian or vegan when I'm cooking and they are always full and happy.

MIL even used my Tofutti sour cream yesterday, on her baked potatoes at lunch, and said it was really good and she was really surprised!

(I have you all to thank for that... you guys keep pointing me in the right direction for brands so I'm not trying something ikky and feeding it to them too)

So there is hope. Perhaps next year is veggie Thanksgiving.

I'll make a joke about it tomorrow and see how it goes over

 

[GhostUser]

Ugh. I'm Canadian so my Thanksgiving was last month. But yeah, I can see how that would make you uncomfortable. I don't know how you feel, since being only 14 I have never had to cook a turkey before. But it makes me feel odd...seeing it sitting there in the sink. Yes, I would tell them how you feel about it.

 

[SummerSn0ws]

Hang in there, and make one of the omnis clean up the mess. Good luck!

 

[bekajoi]

I didn't end up saying anything... I was fairly pissy yesterday and it would only have come across as bitterness, so I decided to mention it later. (nobody helped me in the kitchen... FIL made some whole wheat (non-veg) biscuits, I had to harp on Dh to get the bird carved, I did all the dishes, put it all away...

NOT happy about that. (MIL hurt her ankle, so she couldn't be on her feet, so I'm not upset with her about it)

 

[Dirty Martini]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bekajoi

If I do mention it tomorrow (which I don't have to, I see them frequently) it will be done tactfully..

Something like, "I'm glad we are having Thanksgiving here this year! It's really nice to not have to cart the kids out to spend all day somewhere else, and I really appreciate that. Maybe next year, though, we can make it so Cliff (FIL) makes the turkey at your house and brings it by when it's done. That would make it so we have room in the oven for everything else that needs to bake, and we can have dinner earlier that way, too." (FIL wakes up incredibly early, and could start the Turkey going, to be done by noon)

Or, you could just be honest and tell them that you do not want to cook the turkey because it conflicts with your personal values. And if they think you're weird or if they get upset, let them. It's their problem, not yours. Stand up for yourself. If you tell them that Cliff should make the turkey, what happens if one year he is unable to for some reason (or doesn't want to)? They'll then just want you to do it and not know the real reason why you suggested Cliff in the first place.

Also, if they want you to cook the turkey because they don't know how... well you had to learn at some point too!! Not knowing how is no excuse.

Next year, when you invite people over and they say they'll bring the turkey, just tell them that you'd like them to cook it at their house because you will not be cooking a turkey this year. If they ask why, be honest.

Or, consider telling people next fall (october?) that you don't wnat to do t'giving at your house, and wonder if anyone else would be willing to take it on that year.

 

[bekajoi]

The thing with these guys is definately interesting. They can be easily offended... I wouldn't mind if they did bring their own, but I don't want to cook it. BYOT.

So, beating around the bush instead of stating "I'm not cooking any more turkeys" works a bit better with this particular crowd.