The Farmer's Market at 6:00am
It was still pitch black outside, and a balmy 27 degrees when I left the house at 6am to head down to the Lancaster Farmer's Market. It's the annual Day Before Thanksgiving pilgrimage… I braced myself – not for the cold, but for the scene I knew I was about to encounter.
Generally, I don’t like huge crowds. Oh, there are times when it can be fun, but, as I get older – and crankier – I prefer a little less chaos, and those fun times are fewer and farther apart. You will never see me in a mall at Christmastime, and unless there is absolutely no getting around it and I have to have ‘it’ right now, I eschew lines, as well. Except today.
It was 6:10am when I walked into the market, and it was already packed. People were 6 deep at the counter where I was to pick up the turkey. And people 7 deep behind the counter matching turkeys to the right customers. It was a model of chaotic efficiency – you’d think they had done this before! And while most people were in a jovial mood, there were a few who had their cranky pants on really tight. One woman was just plain rude to the poor girl helping her, and the kid was getting flustered. Transaction finally completed, the woman turned to leave, and I stuck my tongue out at her as she walked away – which brought a huge grin to the girl. She visibly relaxed – and was on to the next – friendly – customer. Empathy is a strong emotion.
With my 31.58 pound turkey, and 2 pounds of chicken livers in hand, it was out to the car. No sense trying to shop in a crowd carrying 34 extra pounds… Then it was back in and on to the produce. Well, actually, for a cup of coffee. Armed with my coffee, I hit my favorite produce stand. People were queuing up for this and that, but I just stood back staring. Too much stuff! I already have my menu in place, but… those fresh peas are calling to me… the Brussels’ Sprouts are tiny and compact, the lettuces are gorgeous and glistening… and the vibrant colors of everything on display. Purple and green cauliflower! I’m feeling overwhelmed!
I take a deep breath and move in. Potatoes, green onions, red leaf lettuce, tomatoes… heck, I have to get some of those colored cauliflowers – not sure what I’ll do with them, yet, but I need them! I could rewrite the whole menu and go vegetarian. There’s just so much I could do with all of this! But I start thinking of refrigerator space – or lack thereof – and settle for the things I really need. Reality sucks.
Another trip out to the car. Potatoes are heavy.
Then in line for baguettes. The bakery is really teeming with people – both in line and behind the counter. I make my way up and there’s a kid all of 15 – without a clue what to do. My luck I draw him. Oh well. I ask for 2 baguettes and 2 whole wheat Portuguese rolls. He seems confused, and I point to the French (in his defense, they do have three different baguettes) but the Portuguese rolls throw him completely. He picks up a multiseed roll, and I say no, the WW Portuguese, a bit farther down. “Oh, the sourdough?” “No… the whole wheat Portuguese.” “oh. These? “That’s it.” “Four, right?” “Yes, four will be fine.” Why argue…..
Armed with the breads, I walk amongst the throngs, looking at all the great foods on display, getting ideas for things to make at home.
Looking at all the wonderful stuff, I wonder for a moment why I make so much stuff when I could just buy it already done. The reason, of course, is because I LIKE making it. That’s there’s a feeling of satisfaction knowing that *I* made that – even if it comes out slightly less-than-perfect.
I don’t mind taking shortcuts here and there, but Thanksgiving isn’t about shortcuts – it’s about traditions. And one of my favorite traditions is walking through that crowded market at 6:00am the day before Thanksgiving – and thinking about all the great things that can be made with all that great food!
And now… on to the kitchen. There’s work to be done!
Thanksgiving...
Thanksgiving may be my favorite holiday of the year. It's all about food. No gifts to buy, no worries about getting the right size/color/style. It's food. Vast quantities of fun, fattening food.
What other holiday has so few expectations, other than a table loaded with food? It's a gathering of family and friends - and food. Did I mention it's all about food?!?
We're doing the family feast again this year. It's become tradition since we moved east. (Actually, it was tradition when we lived on the west coast with my family, too. ) Our first Thanksgiving in San Francisco was the only one I ever really stressed over. There are six kids in my family, 13 grandkids, plus parents. It was to be dinner for about 28. I decided I wanted a "sit-down" dinner. We hadn't had one in years, too many people, not enough table space. it's been "buffet style" for as long as I can remember... We had a reasonably big house. I figured I could do it with a little ingenuity - no problem.
And then the stress started...
Our house was built in the early 1920's and had great arched windows, a great arch between the living room and the formal dining room. The rooms were good-sized, but neither would hold the 20 foot table needed for everyone to sit comfortablly. So... I started at one end of the dining room and began putting tables together - from one end of the dining room, through the arch, and into the living room. The arch opening was about 6 feet. With table and chairs, the only way one could get into the room, was to put the table flat up against one side of the opening. - which meant the chairs by the arch were up against the wall on either side. So much for being able to talk to your neighbor or pass the mashed potatoes. Victor just looks at me like I'm out of my mind, but doesn't say anything. He's being supportive. If I want a sit-down, well... go for it. Stupid, but go for it...
I set the table, linens, plates and glassware - the whole shebang. I'm trying to ignore the fact that there are going to be 28 people in he house and the living and dining rooms are now filled with tables and chairs, you can't move from one room to another without having to walk through the kitchen, and there's not going to be any place for anyone to sit EXCEPT at the huge table, and conversation is going to be impossible if you're sitting up against a wall. Can we say "denial" boys and girls?!? Can we say STRESS?!? Why won't this work?!? It HAS to work!!!
Reality struck. I un-set the tables, scattered the chairs about for informal seating, and set up two buffet tables in the dining room - one for dinner, and one for desserts. There was plenty of room, plenty of food, and no one seemed to either notice or care that we weren't all sitting at one huge table. We ate, drank, laughed, ate, ate, laughed, and ate some more. Sitting on the couch, on folding chairs, on the floor using the coffee table to hold plates.
A great time was had by all, and an epiphany moment for me... It's all about the company, not the table.