In order to save money for the holiday for more important things in the new year (car repairs, rent increase, health emergency reserves), family will try an Arborio Rice - Shrimp - Speck - Baby Peas - Mushrooms - Julienned Basil dish with a cherry/blueberry pie for dessert. I'd hoped to offer an appetizer of celery and dip with cheese/crackers, but I think I forgot the cheese and crackers last shopping trip. Stores will be closed for the most part Thursday, so we may need to just try the celery and dip instead in moderation...
For the tried and true T-Day participants who are familiar with the drill, enjoy your meal and feel free to nap your way through the afternoon football games.
Our meal will begin about 4:30 PM. My hope is to eat to my fill, and ask immediate family for help with sink clean-up before booting them out the door 'round 8 PM. TBH, family has always been cooperative with the dishes, especially since we enacted the rule.
What's the rule? Anyone picking up their phone at the dinner table is responsible for doing the dishes. Cruel, you say? Nope. Ensures family conversations without the usual thumb-twiddling or need to step away from dinner while the meal cools. Feel free to cop this rule for yourselves if needs be.
