Thanksgiving at the Silverman household

My parents continued the tradition this year of hosting Thanksgiving for the family and about 10 guests, although in the past few years they’ve decided that they don’t enjoy all the work that goes in making a turkey, so my mom orders one and has it delivered, although most of the guests don’t know that. Many places in New York seem to have this service and they’ll even send you all the sides you need – it’s like Thanksgiving dinner in a box.

Well, this year my sister and I decided to have a little fun with her. We decided to see how much hinting at the Turkey coming from Boston Market it would take to get the secret out. In retrospect, it may not have been the best idea.

When the Turkey was being served, I thought it might be a good time to ask how many sides come with the drumstick and wing combo I was having. I just wanted to know if I could get stuffing AND mashed potatoes, or if that was going to be extra. My mother did not look pleased. Neither was she thrilled with my sister asking what vegetarian options they had that “might not be on the menu.” But what really put her over the edge was my intervening on an argument she had with my sister – and all because I told her that as a 26-year customer I didn’t like her attitude and wanted to speak to her supervisor about it.

Needless to say, my sister and I have been uninvited from our parents’ house for Thanksgiving next year.

**On a related note for those in the New York area, I brought some of Effie’s homemade “Camp Cranberry” sauce which was delicious and loved by all who attended. It may be the only reason I get invited back to my parents, so I think I owe her a plug. If you want to order some, send an e-mail to campcranberry@gmail.com. I’ve even come up with a new slogan for her “Camp Cranberry – saving family relations since 2004.”