Holiday Dinner with Found Family

Yesterday I had the pleasure of being with many of my found family members. The parents of one of my friends were with us and we were treating them to a “traditional” feast, which they had never experienced.

Another one of my friends was the primary chef. It was their first time prepping a meal that big all by themselves and they wanted it to be perfect. So naturally Murphy, being the pest that he is, came to haunt us with his mayhem, which led to a discussion about what a traditional holiday family dinner looks like.

We came up with the following list:

1) Football – both American football and World Cup soccer games were showing on two TVs – Check

2) Politics – a divisive disagreement about pumpkin spice – Check

3) A ruined dish – an exploding Pyrex bowl in the oven destroying three complete dishes – Check

4) “The whole day is ruined” – ruined dishes included a cranberry dish and a sweet potato dish so nobody got to eat either this year – Check

5) Tears – the chef had a minor melt-down which was treated with alcohol and hugs – Check

6) Multiple minor injuries – some burns and cuts received cleaning the exploded/ruined food, one idiot who missed a step and face planted, and some singed hair during fire baton twirling lessons – Check

7) Fire – see #6 – fortunately 911 was not required – Check

8) Beautiful newly-in-love couple who can’t stop kissing – Check

9) Everyone complaining they ate way too much food – Check

10) Love and laughter despite all the above – Check.

All in all a very successful traditional family holiday dinner.