Turkey Hosts Thanksgiving
Should he roast a pig? Well, that wouldn’t do. For Pig was coming to dinner too . . .
Happy November 1st everyone, and . . .
Happy Thanksgiving?!?!?!
Wait a second . . .
If you’re in Canada, like me, then Thanksgiving was last month.
I know, I know.
BUT, November 23rd is Thanksgiving in the United States of America.
So, this story is all about the holidays and one very fine-feathered host . . .
Turkey loves living on the farm with all his friends. He enjoys hosting a good hootenanny, and cooking up slop for the pigs next door. He even made quite the splash when he dressed up as Cow for a haunted Halloween party – hosted, of course, by Turkey.
And since Turkey is the host who cares the most, no one is surprised when the barnyard enlists their feathered friend to take care of Thanksgiving.
There is only one problem.
When Turkey discovers the traditional main dish of a Thanksgiving feast he is APPALLED.
Turkey legs and gravy . . . Oh, the horror!
Turkey will have to riffle through his recipes and try to come up with the perfect entree to serve his barnyard buddies.
Find out how the farmyard festivities unfold, and happy (belated OR not) Thanksgiving . . .
OH, WAIT!
A FEW NOTES BEFORE YOU BEGIN . . .
First off, thank you so much to all my B-Side reader’s who purchased a copy of my new book, Where Do Stories Come From? If you have not checked out this children’s picture book, head to the link below.
Feel free to message me to place an order - the book has arrived and it’s truly a story I cannot wait to share. Email caitlinnicoleevans@gmail.com.
AND LAST, BUT NOT LEAST . . .
This is B-Side Stories final farewell…
After 2 years of publishing monthly tales, it’s finally time to say “The End”.
I started this newsletter as a way to share all of my “B-Side” material, but now it’s time to focus on those A-tracks. (a.k.a. my full length children’s picture books + my first novel!)
I am so happy you have supported, followed and shared B-Side Stories, and I truly hope your family can be added to my life-long list of readers.
The archives of the B-Side Stories will remain public, free to read and share always.
As for all my upcoming books, follow me on on social media (@caitlinnicoleevans) and check out my new website:
www.caitlinnicoleevans.com - COMING SOON!
Thank you all so much for helping me build my dreams, share my words, and spread the joy of stories.
Now, it’s finally time for your FINAL tale . . . .
Turkey Hosts Thanksgiving
By caitlin nicole evans
Dedicated to Chelsea Chicvara and family. Thank you for supporting B-Side Stories. It’s nice to have some readers in the U.S.A. We are neighbours, after all. Although, you would say “neighbors” . . . ! This Thanksgiving tale goes out to you and your little ones.
*Click below to listen to your final audio tale:
Turkey did not like to brag, or to boast.
But -
Word on the farm -
He was quite the fine host.
Yes, Turkey was known as the host who cared MOST!
When it came to preparing a feast of a meal.
He whipped up twelve courses, with scrumptious appeal.
When a birthday was coming, or a shower to throw.
Turkey was the bird in the barn with the know.
He loved selecting balloons, and cakes, and décor.
When you thought he’d gone all out, he went out some more.
And bought up the napkins and plates from the store.
Yes, his tables were set like a feast for a queen.
The food was delicious.
The silverware gleaned.
He had entertainment, to keep his guests smiling.
The music was perfect.
And the setting - beguiling!
Valentines! - Easter! - The Fourth of July!
If you needed a host – then he was your guy.
And so, Turkey was chosen for a night to remember.
Hosting Thanksgiving near the end of November.
And – since he loved hosting the most in the world.
Turkey said, “Sure!” – he would give it a whirl.
Of course, he would give it much more than a whirl.
He’d make all the sheep shimmy, and every pig twirl.
Yes, Turkey would make this the best event yet.
He would host a Thanksgiving no farm could forget.
Now, being the host was not all about food.
It was keeping traditions and setting the mood.
So first, he set out to dress up a table.
And redo the room of the large dusty stable.
He added some chintz.
He added some glitz.
A few little bobs.
And a few tiny bits.
He swept up the dust and covered the stalls.
With curtains and wreaths, which he plumped on the walls.
Then a large cornucopia was placed on the table.
And when the horses peeked in, they neighed:
”Where is our stable?”
“Wow!” they exclaimed.
But, Turkey said, “Shoo!”
There was so much to set up, and cook up, and DO.
Now that it was ready for his guests to all eat.
He would have to start gathering veggies . . .
. . . and meat!
Yes, what should he served?
He knew just who would know!
When he needed some tips there was one place to go . . .
“Oh, Martha,” he thought, as he flipped through her book.
She knew just how to set.
How to plate.
How to cook!
And Ms. Stewart, it seemed, DID have the answer for Turkey.
For thanksgiving supper,
it is correct to serve . . .
. . . TURKEY!!!
“AHHHHHHH,” Turkey screamed. “I’M the main dish!”
He’d been hoping for buttered potatoes and fish.
If he could not cook the star of show,
would Turkey have to give Tofurky a go?
What else could he serve as the entrée, or main?
Which would not cause a turkey, like Turkey, the pain.
I suggest, mentioned Martha, for something more glam.
To dress up - and dish out - a honey-glazed ham.
Roasted pig, mused Turkey. Well, that wouldn’t do.
For Pig was coming to dinner too!
How about a fine flank of steak with some rich mushroom cream.
Oh, no. Turkey knew his poor friend Cow would scream.
Holy cow! Cow would yell.
So, beef was taboo.
But, Turkey was worried.
What else could he do?
“How about a rack of lamb, with rosemary sprigs?
That would certainly do for the cows and the pigs.
And I’ll even serve it with a mint jellied jam!”
“That’s a baaaaad idea,” said poor Sheep and Lamb.
If they could not have lamb, what about the Turkey’s cousin?
But the chickens all clucked, “Please, Turkey, you mustn’t.”
Now the barn was all filled with “clucks”, “baaaaas”, and “mooooos”.
The farmyard was flustered,
and noisy with “boos”.
Oh heavens, thought Turkey. I’m in quite a mess.
He had not expecting such worry and stress.
What can I serve that we ALL can enjoy?
And that’s when he saw him . . .
THE DELIVERY BOY.
No, Turkey did not want to roast up a child!
To Turkey eating human seemed awfully vile.
Instead he snuck toward him, as sly as a fox.
To see what smelt yummy inside of his box.
It was lunchtime for the humans, who opened the door.
And he heard the boy say,
“That’ll be $30.04.”
They gave him the cash, and he gave them the goods.
They lifted the lid, and under the hood . . .
The most perfect meal, Turkey ever had smelt.
The saucy - oh so, saucy!
The cheese - all a-melt.
Turkey had an idea which he knew would appeal,
to all of his guests once he dished out this meal.
He went back to the garden to collect what he could.
Then off to the shed for a big pile of wood.
With veggies and fire, he just needed flour.
Then, he was suddenly down to one final hour.
He fluffed up the flowers and dimmed all the lights.
With the candles all glowing, it made quite the sight.
The stable was ready for the guests to arrive.
And – thanks to Turkey – they were all still ALIVE!
But ….what was for dinner?
What would they eat?
That’s when Turkey announced, “You’re all in for a treat!”
And he pulled from the fire a cast iron skillet.
Please – thought the chickens - don’t serve MORE millet!
But, it wasn’t just grain, or mere hay, or some bran.
It was something they’d only seen eaten by man . . .
“It’s called . . . PIE-ZA,” said Turkey. “Because it’s like pie.”
“But, with veggies and cheese. Just please, give it a try.”
So they all had a taste and with every first bite.
They “mooed”, “neighed”, and “clucked” in a fit of delight.
“Ohhhhhh, I love pie-za,” said one happy Goat.
While Pig swallowed slice after slice down his throat.
Sheep was impressed by the taste of the cheese.
And Horse, rather hungry, asked for some more, PLEASE!
Then Turkey whipped out dessert, the pastries stacked high.
“Since we started with Pie-za, we shall end with some pie!”
There was apple, and pumpkin.
Banana and cream.
And they all ate dessert in a sugar high dream.
Stuffed from the pie-za and stuffed from the pie.
It was time for the barnyard to all say goodbye.
“One last cheers to our host – to Turkey!”
“Hooray!”
“You certainly hosted the BEST Thanksgiving day!”
“Thank you for making such fun and such fuss.”
“And mostly we’re thankful - you didn’t serve US!”
Turkey just smiled, not one to boast.
He truly just loved that he got to play host.
And yes, in the end, not one creature was harmed.
Except for the VEGGIES, who were rather alarmed . . .
“Happy Thanksgiving,” from Turkey, and I.
And - from B-Side Stories - one final “Goodbye”!
THE END . . .
. . .and many, many thanks!
Recommended Reading: This month’s recommended reading popped (like a balloon) into my radar, when I was looking for a November-ish tale. This is yet another nod to my reader’s in the U.S.A., many of whom will be watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade this month!
Balloons Over Broadway, by Melissa Sweet, is a beautiful book about the true story behind the puppeteer who created the balloons for the very first Macy’s department store parade. The story inspires and enlightens readers with this small glimpse into one man’s balloon-making dreams! The artwork is incredible – beautiful pastels and thoughtful images that capture the bustling streets of New York City, the process of invention, and the balloon creatures that were created. I felt truly thankful to spend an afternoon reading such a lovely book, and I hope you and your little ones will too.
One final reminder to encourage you to continue to follow my writing and work on Instagram/Facebook @ caitlinnicoleevans.
Many thanks, and a very grateful “Goodbye!”
And as always,
Happy Reading . . .
