I'm taking wagers here

[yvr girl]

Poll question: I'm taking wagers here

Recently, I've decided to be a good daughter and go to my parents' house once a week for dinner.

Last week, my cousin and her husband were there as well. We had a crown roast. I don't ever remember my mother serving a crown roast before. Ever.

This week, it's just me. I say we're back to fat meat and turnips.

What say you?

[GOPisEvil]

1. My mom insists there are no special dinners served when I visit.

I get whatever she has planned for that evening.

I wonder what's on the menu for tonight.

[yvr girl]

2. I don't expect a crown roast everytime

But why does my cousine get one?

A couple of years ago, after being served turnips four times in a row, I complained. "Mom, you know I HATE turnips right?"

"Oh, do you? I thought you liked them." ACK!

[GOPisEvil]

4. Hmmm...good question.

If your mom is anything like mine, "company" always gets the good stuff. Company being defined as anyone that not her, my dad or me.

[sui generis]

7. yup - visiting with less frequency gets better grub

I know this. Recently my goot cherman muzzah (from chermany you know) has taken to whisking us all off to the local Chinese buffet. Chinese buffet!

I'd rather have sauerbraten or heart or schnitzel or rolladen or schweinshaxen, but no-o-o-o! And this one is in the middle of the midwest, so they don't even have chopsticks.

[Balbus]

3. What is fat meat?

Is that a specific dish or just a generic term for all other meat besides crown roast?

[yvr girl]

5. When I was a kid my dad would always answer

"Fat meat and turnips" when I asked, "What's for dinner?"

[underpants]

10. OH MY GOD- you were eating..........

SOYLENT GREEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[GoddessOfGuinness]

6. Here's what you do...

Invite your parents to your house for dinner and treat them like royalty.

You might never get a gourmet meal from your folks; but at least you'll have the satisfaction of treating them the way you'd like to be treated. :hi:

[SouthoftheBorderPaul]

8. What a sweet way

to resolve a conflict. If it worked, I'd say it was genius.

[yvr girl]

9. Here's an embarrassing confession -

Last time my parents dropped by (uninvited) I refused them entry. I offered to go out with them, though.

Pretty much anytime I have someone over for dinner it's a bit special. I don't put out a huge effort if it's just myself. The other night I had olives for dinner!

[GoddessOfGuinness]

11. Then you can go all out for yourself as well!

You're certainly worth the effort! :beer:

I remember your post when your parents came over unannounced. It's been a while now, hasn't it?

[yvr girl]

13. It was a few weeks ago

I do cook occasionally. I have a tiny, postage stamp sized kitchen. I don't find it inviting.

[skygazer]

12. I must be an unnatural mother

I'd shoot myself if my kids came to dinner every week. I love my kids dearly and thoroughly enjoy their company but my home is my sanctuary. I rarely have ANYONE over...

[yvr girl]

14. Before I'd see them once every couple of months

I got a lot of grief over that. My dad isn't well. If he had his choice, I'd move back home. Almost every visit he would say, "Why don't you spend the night?"

Even though I'm 38, I'm still the baby. I'm just glad my brother spawned so that my niece can distract my mother.

[skygazer]

15. Maybe I just have an unnatural family

I haven't seen my dad for at least 7 years - no animosity, just haven't seen him. We email a lot.

But then we're undemonstrative New Englanders. Even when we do see each other, we exchange casual waves and a "how ya doin?" California cracks me up - if it's been more than 48 hours since I've seen a friend, they have to give me a hug. :wtf: Strange place but the weather's nice.

[GalleryGod]

16. Some Advice? Get over there.

You'll miss him madly soon enough:pals:

[Left Is Write]

17. My mother would never cook turnips.

But I suppose that's neither here nor there.

When I lived back home, my parents' house was THE gathering place on Sundays, especially during football season (but we liked having family barbecues there in the summer also). My mom didn't cook "special" for us unless it was a holiday or someone's birthday. We had my mom's basics - pot roast and veggies, scalloped potatoes and ham, hotdishes, or, in summer, burgers or family steak on the grill. And we all contributed something: we kids would bring or make snacks, sides, desserts, or beverages.

If your mother serves ordinary foods when you're there, I don't think it's because you're not special - it's because she doesn't think of you as a "guest." You belong there.