How about this? While I'm doing all of the above, I'm surrounded by some of the most wonderful and sweet ladies and we spend the time working and visiting! So here's how the weekend usually goes...
Jeannette and Connie get to the church early Saturday morning to start the turkeys and ham cooking in the ovens. Then around 1-2 that afternoon, Ronda, myself and others show up, don aprons, start peeling taters and get more prep work done before our Sunday Thanksgiving feast after church. We're working. Talking. Laughing. And marveling at how Ronda never has had an apron (this year, she emailed me that she's using her new one!) We're done by 4 or 5 and ready for the next day.
Sunday morning dawns and there's lots of activity in the kitchen as I bring in my coconut cream pies and cranberry salad. Delicious salads and yummy desserts start piling up on the kitchen counter and in the fridge. As I'm in the kitchen getting my crockpot of stuffing started cooking before my class starts, Felicity is following me around, wanting to help and ready to go to our classroom as soon as I head out of the kitchen.
After teaching Sunday School, I make my way back to the kitchen, ready to help with the last minute details like cutting desserts, mashing taters and buttering bread that Jeannette needs done. Last year Jeannette put me in charge of making gravy. I remember thinking, "YIKES!" So for those of you who didn't like last year's gravy...never fear! The person who made it won't be there this year. You can eat without fear. ;)
Alan is getting a head count of people in the church service so we have an idea who is staying for the meal. Mark is making tea, counting cups and getting ice ready. Jeannette is making sure all the food is hot. Connie is washing the few spoons and forks used for "taste testing" the food. The rest of us are finding something else that needs done before the people start rushing in. Or looking busy. The church service is wrapping up and we're quickly setting out salads, uncovering the meat and getting everything out on the table, making sure each dish has it's own serving utensils.
Then...all our hard work has paid off! There are people coming through the line, the stack of plates is dwindling, the salad bowls are getting emptied and the dessert table is just about deserted. Pastor Kirk comes through the kitchen bringing a slice of coconut cream pie to save for later. Unknown to him, I already have a couple pieces of that very pie saved back in the fridge--one for him and one for Lydell. Empty dishes are being pulled from the line and stacked at the sink. More desserts are being cut and plated. And refills of coffee, tea and water are coming. All while chatting with people as they are making their way through the line of food.
Pastor Kirk and Terri are going through the almost empty line of food; it must be nearing the end. As the kitchen crew,we grab our plates, take some food, gobble it down (we had some taste testing earlier as things were cooking--after all, we HAVE to make sure the food is hot you know!) and start the cleanup job. Many people chip in to help pick up salt and pepper shakers, wash and fold tablecloths, wash dishes, vacuum and fold up table and chairs.
It's 2:00. We're all tired. Our feet hurt (at least mine do!). And we're ready to go home. It's been fun. I love the opportunity to serve. I enjoy being surrounded by ladies who know much more than I do and from whom I can gain valuable kitchen advice. It's been a fun and successful weekend!
And this year, I'm thinking back on the last several years. I can just imagine all the smiles and laughter going on back in that warm kitchen. Thank you Jeannette (and Gordon), for asking me to help work in the kitchen. I've loved every minute of it. Thank you Connie, for bring the potato peelers so we didn't have to peel potatoes with knives. Thank you Rocky and Madonna, for your raisin looking hands after washing piles of dishes. Thank you Mark, for reaching things off of high shelves and pulling out sink drain stops for me.
I'm thinking back and smiling. And wishing I could be there again this weekend. And yes, I am still making two coconut cream pies this year. But for another church Thanksgiving feast in another state. Sorry Pastor Kirk! And, I talked to my Dad. No, he's not bringing pies. Connie, you can take over the coconut cream pies!
Ladies (and guys), enjoy. Have fun. It's work, yes, but rewarding. And fulfilling. Being willing and available to serve has it's own fulfillment that nothing can replace, whether it's helping in the kitchen for a potluck meal, teaching Sunday School, putting up/away tables and chairs or folding bulletins every week. Jesus Christ put us on this earth to serve and minister to others. And this weekend provides ample opportunity to do just that!
And if I'm ever back in Kansas that weekend before Thanksgiving, can I have my kitchen job back? Please?!
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