Thursday, November 21, 2013

Pre-Thanksgiving Greetings


                                                                                     1873, US Public Domain

I'm not sure how this happened, but Thanksgiving is NEXT WEEK!

Am I ready?  Heck no.

But I've been spending time in the Haiku Garden with Robyn Hood Black, and you should see the tasty morsel she's cooked up!

My family will attest to the fact that I'm not a bad cook, they might even say I'm a good cook, but convenience fare only goes so far.  Unfortunately, I can't say that I particularly enjoy my jaunts in the culinary arts-- it's one of those tasks that has fallen into my lap by default.  And when it comes to Thanksgiving, I'm not ashamed to admit that I'd rather be a guest than a host.  I'll happily bring the mashed potatoes or a nice bottle of wine.

Today's little ditty is a Thanksgiving greeting card verse that I wrote and sold to Andrews McMeel Publishing back in 2007.


                         COVER:  Turkey roasting...
                                                      Glasses toasting...

                         INSIDE:  Giving thanks that I'm not hosting.


Yep, that's pretty much me all over.  

When I recently contacted Andrews McMeel's greeting card editor to find out if the verse was ever used and whether or not I could legitimately post it on my blog, he informed me that my verse was in print for a while, but he wasn't sure if it still is.

I hope you'll let me know if you see my baby in the card racks over the coming week.  Never did see the artwork for this one, but they paid me well so I can't complain.

And now that I've tantalized your taste buds, please join Katya, this week's Poetry Friday host over at Write. Sketch. Repeat.  Everyone's invited!  Side dish welcome, but not required.

26 comments:

  1. Will let you know if I see your clever card on the racks! I love to cook, but I have never hosted Thanksgiving. (I don't mind a bit :-) )

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  2. Now I'm really curious to see your card! Love the verse, wholly agree (shhhh, not supposed to admit that since I have a foodie blog). But I am a great guest and a good eater (maybe that makes up for not being the best cook).

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    1. Are you trying to make me fall off my chair? I won't let your secret out, though if you get tired of blogging, I recommend acting.

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  3. What a fun verse. I have a spouse who loves to cook so I let him. when the November issue of Bon Appetite arrives he studies all the recipes and comes up with the menu. I'm scullery maid and I get to set the table and eat. Life doesn't get any better than this. Now you know why in some circles I'm known as a princess.

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    1. I'm a princess like Joy. My husband is the cook in our household; in fact, he really doesn't like me to help, because I don't do it right. Fine with me! :-)

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    2. Sounds like your grand plan is working out just the way you intended, Ruth!

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  4. That's adorable, Michelle. Still waiting for someone to post a recipe for latke stuffing, as it's Thanksannukah this year.

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    1. Let me know if you find one. Sounds like a great companion to noodle kugel!

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    2. I love noodle kugel. I found in back in my austerity budget days and made it for dinner since it had everything in one: carbs, protein (cottage cheese), and fruit (raisins).

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    3. Bless your kugel-lovin' heart, Diane, you're my kind of thinker!

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  5. I'd buy that card - that's a hoot! (even though I LOVE hosting)

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  6. That card verse made me laugh - nicely done, Michelle! (have to say, though, that I love being the hostess for Thanksgiving, love the hustle in my kitchen, the chaos of it all...and everyone brings a dish to share, so I don't really cook that much... Just love my house full of people, and I feel like their laughter and conversation echoes around the rooms for weeks after. Plus I get to keep the leftover whipped cream to put in my coffee Friday morning!

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    1. You do make it sound appealing... especially the part about laughter and conversation lingering for weeks after. (The whipped cream sounds good too.) If only I could manage not to stress about it and just have a good time!

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  7. Brilliant! Glad you got rewarded for your wit. I'm hosting this year and excited about the plans for food and fun. We should have about 13 gathered 'round the table.

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    1. Sounds like fun, Keri! I'll bet you're a great hostess. :)

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  8. Your card is hilarious! The real trick is to get an invitation that doesn't involve traveling. Since we can't swing that, we host. But I too am a princess, I mean Queen, and my husband takes the lead on cooking.

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  9. Love your card copy! I'd love to come across one of your cards in a shop some day! Hear! Hear! for not hosting!

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    1. Sad to say, even if you did, you probably wouldn't know it was mine. :( Very few card companies credit the writer. Blue Mountain Arts does, and Papyrus... though the one time I found a Papyrus card of mine at the local Target, I discovered they had mistakenly attributed my verse to someone else. Quite the bummer!

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  10. You've got me looking through cards in NH, too!

    I've never cooked a Thanksgiving dinner, and this year, I going to the home of a relative who is having the whole dinner catered! I feel like Cinderella going off to the ball. The ball will be held in New Jersey if you want to tag along.

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    1. If I can find my fairy godmother, some mice, and an appropriately-sized pumpkin carriage, I'll be there!

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