SUNDAY DINNER

I was in the kitchen peeling potatoes when my son Alex came in. “It smells really good in here!” he said as he leaned against the counter. “What’s for Sunday dinner?”

“Mini Thanksgiving in March.” I began cutting the potatoes into smaller pieces and dropping them into a pot. “The turkey breast is already in the oven and I made the stuffing yesterday.” I pointed to the refrigerator. “Can you get the stuffing out, please. It’s time to put it in the oven.”

“Sure.” Alex opened the refrigerator and pulled out the covered pan. He pulled the foil back to take a peek. “Is this your homemade stuffing?”

“Yup, sausage and apple.” I opened the oven door and moved the turkey pan over to make room for the pan Alex was holding. “I left the mushrooms out of this batch.” I took the pan from him. “I know they’re not your favorite.”

“Hey, I don’t mind.” he shrugged his shoulders. “I just pick them out.”

I checked on the turkey that sat on a bed of carrots and parsnips along with fresh dill and parsley. I inhaled the wonderful smell that reminds me of Thanksgiving before grabbing the baster from the counter and dipping it into the bottom of the pan to suck up some of the juices. Drizzling the juices over the top of the bird I closed the oven door and went back to cutting up the potatoes.

“Are you putting turnips in the potatoes?” Alex asked as he leaned against the counter again.

“Nope. Didn’t really think about it.”

Alex looked around on the counter tops. “Did you make your pumpkin muffins?”

“Nope.”

“Are we having corn with the red peppers?”

“Nope, Spinach.” I looked over at him as I picked up the pot and went over to the sink to fill it with water. “Remember I said it was mini Thanksgiving. That mean no muffins, no pie, no turnips in the mashed potatoes.”

Alex held up his hands. “No problem. I’m good with what you’re making.”

“If I made everything I usually make on Thanksgiving then Thanksgiving wouldn’t be special would it?”

“Hey, I’m happy with mini Thanksgiving!”

Filling the pot with water I put it back on the stove and turned it on. I looked around to see if I needed anything else. “I think I’m all set.”

Alex looked around. “Who’s turn was it to pick Sunday dinner?”

“Mine.” I said as I went to the cabinet and handed Alex the plates to set the table with.

“You?” Alex sounded surprised. “It seems like a lot of work. Why’d you pick mini Thanksgiving?”

I shrugged my shoulders as I opened the drawer to get the silverware. “Because I was in the mood and no one else would be able to ask for this on their Sunday pick.”

Alex laughed. “That makes sense. I know I wouldn’t have to nerve to ask for a Thanksgiving dinner.”

Just then my husband Steven walked in the room. “Wow! It smells really good in here!”

“Mini Thanksgiving.” I said as I went to the refrigerator to get the can of cranberries.

“We can start asking for holiday dinners when it’s our pick for Sunday dinner?” Steven looked hopeful. “I’m calling mini Christmas!”

“You can always ask.” I said as I got the can opener out. Once the can was open I slipped the tube of cranberries, can lines and all, into a dish. I got some plastic wrap and covered the dish before putting it back in the refrigerator.

Alex grabbed some napkins and headed to the table. I could hear him whisper to Steven, “I’m just letting you know, I’m pretty sure Mom’s the only one who can call a holiday dinner for her Sunday pick.”

“Oh.” I heard Steven whisper back.