You just relax- this is fine to do

From: Giulia
To: All
Date: Fri, Oct 17, 2008 at 7:03 PM
Subject: You just relax- this is fine to do

Well trolls,
I was thinking that the holidays are around the corner! Actually mom wanted to know when we were all arriving for Thanksgiving and I said mom, we're not doing Thanksgiving at home and she was of course shell shocked and insisted that we did do Thanksgiving at home. Btw, have any of you noticed her collection of boxes that has invaded the downstairs hallway? Last time I was home, Papa crept downstairs stared at us in the downstairs kitchen then went over to a box fished around, grabbed a pot and then went back upstairs.

Anyways, I thought it was time for us to start discussing Thanksgiving since time obviously flies faster than we can keep track of. While we're at it, let's discuss Christmas too.

For thanksgiving, let's debate a preliminary menu and organization of it.
It should be really easy this year because:
1. Mario knows how to make a great turkey
2. Paolo lives in NYC
3. Anthony might come if he's not being a re-re.

Some Ideas for A Menu:

• I recently made some amazing shrimp broiled in bacon and i think this would be perfect to supersede the scallops wrapped in bacon we had last year.???
• Turkey????
• Prosciutto e melone
• Insalata Caprese
• The stuffing Nina made last year????
• Broccoli rabe or how would everyone feel about a variety of chard??? It's less bitter than broccoli rabe.
• Mashed potatoes white and sweet
• The peanut butter kiss cookies Carla made
• Weed (Obviously marshall will take care of this) [Ed: HAHA! Are you kids still doing the pot?!! Is someone going to bring a glass bowl too in one of those fabric pouches you bought from some hippie friend in high school?]
  

That is what is standing out in my head from last year. I also think it would be better if we each either bought ingredients for a dish or took care of dish. That would help lessen the chaos and the pressure of nina and I doing a majority of the preparation.

Some rules i think we should add and everyone feel free to adjust them.

• Not one person is allowed to take up the couches and insist on napping on them while 6 other are playing cards, watching tv, etc.
• Luca, Mario, and Paolo are not allowed to pass gas. You MUST excuse yourself.
• Please keep your hands out of your pants. Thats what pockets are for.
  
• Nina can't freak out because we used the wrong pot.
• I can't eat snacks and then insist i'm full.
• Carla can't put her fingers in all the dishes
• Paolo's not allowed to look for the dessert and eat it before dinner.
  
• No eating throughout the day!

Alright well that's all i have on my mind for now regarding Thanksgiving.
On to CHRISTMAS!

[Ed.: Blah blah lets go somewhere for xmas, blah blah, cheap flights, somewhere warm and sunny]

Thanks assholes!
Jan

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I'll make the stuffing...that was really good. And bring a variety of olives and cheeses. We need to figure out a better method to brine the turkey. Not eating chard. That's what all those weirdos eat at their stupid picnics on the Hungry Ghost lawn.

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Nina, faith in Jesus is the only way to God.

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Bringing the turkey- We need a huge turkey pan and something to store it. I'm just remembering the awful set up we had last year. My recycling bin!!!!! Remember that. I think i blocked it from my memory. Nina if you are home, maybe you could see if Mama has anything and bring it back. I'll make the shrimps with bacon and maybe an eggplant parm? Would everyone like that? Or a pasta dish? What are everyone's preferences? Also i'll prepare some deserts. Sweet potato pie, and anything other requests.

We need some other input here! Mario, Luca, and Paolo (yes jesus is the way to the lord, has he given you any divine messages related to Thanksgiving?!!) It's really not that far off, 5 weeks. It will fly fast. Carol, what is your work schedule? Do you need to request time off now? I work Wednesday till 4, i'm off Thanksgiving and Friday.

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Yes he has as a matter of fact. We just spoke, on facebook chat, and he told me the same thing he always says. Be of service. With all the ppl here in the world's greatest city who could use assistance and support, maybe we should all volunteer at a soup kitchen this Thanksgiving instead? Giving to others fills your soul with love, like depositing money in the bank of the lord.

I think thats what we should do.

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giulia your personal dishes sound bad, sweet potato pie? wack. if were gonna have desert do it right, maybe like a warm coffee mocha pudding thing or a grapenut pudding. I am also not sold on your shrimp in bacon. The reason the scallops were wack was because Nina insisted on grilling them instead of cooking them in a pan or oven. You need to re-evaluate your thoughts and offer a more filtered version

Regards

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I'm gonna invite mom and pop to join us at the soup kitchen

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Luca if u want to run the show then go ahead. I'm personally sick of all your negatived.

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Negativity I meant.

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OK-

Jan, calm down...no need to get bent of shape about luca's suggestion. I do agree with him that the shrimp and bacon is a bad idea..as was the scallops last year. In theory, those are great dishes, but no one here is qualified to make them.

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Actually, i was thinking we should just do shishkadol and beans and maybe some gabigol. who's down? [ed.: My sister is making fun of the way my mom pronounces italian words, and reading this makes me laugh out loud i have tears in my eyes]

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the squash is a good idea. seasonal new and fresh. I would also recommend maybe some greenbeans and garlic sauteed. maybe a few diced almonds. The cauliflower broccoli casserole was good, I would be OK with seeing that again , but it is on the heavy side. Maybe some of type eggplant, not parmesan. Lets keep the ideas flowing and well finalize a little later. We an also use a 5 gallon painters type pail for the turkey brine. keep your eye on the food network they will be doing a lot of thanksgiving shows.

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Luca why dont you go fuck urself on the freedom trail w/joe.