I Learned How To Make My MIL's Thanksgiving Dressing

So I already shared that this past Thanksgiving was different - in a totally awesome way! Oh. Wait. Does that sound like I'm gloating over the fact that I didn't have to deal with any of my in-laws? Because you know, I would never do that...

But it was also significant because for the very first time I cooked my husband his Momma's dressing. He loves this dressing.  I've only tried it like twice because my MIL doesn't like turkey so we don't usually have turkey. And dressing without turkey?  I mean, what's the point? And don't even get me started on the whole Thanksgiving without turkey thing...

So I had an opportunity this year to make it. I knew he would be ecstatic but if it didn't turn out - another strike on my fail list. But I decided to try anyway.

Of course, that meant having to call my MIL to get the recipe. And I know it makes me a horrible person, but that alone was almost enough to keep me from making it.

You know, I never intended to dislike her. I always had visions of having a close relationship with my MIL - sharing life events and bonding over the mutual love of the same man. It was a relationship that had so much potential!

And then I met the woman who would become mine. The very first time I was at her home, she pulled out picture of all the ex-girlfriends and showed me every single one, complete with commentary on how pretty they were, how smart they were and how much she liked them.  I wasn't sure what it meant, what kind of message it was suppose to send. It was definitely tacky but maybe she didn't know any better.  Maybe she didn't have any other way to relate. Or maybe she was trying to make me feel inadequate and jealous. Who knew? Although I kinda suspected I did.

It never got better. When we announced our engagement (with barely a response) the hubby teasingly asked her "What? You don't want us to get married?" and she responded, not teasingly "You don't want me to answer that." and I knew it was over.

I endured 5 years of passive-aggressive tension before it blew up. She got mad at something I said and went ballistic.  The woman acted like a complete lunatic.  It was the most surreal and insane thing I've experienced.  It's a sad, sad day when you feel like you're in an episode of Jerry Springer.

I pulled hubby in the next day and told him to straighten her out or else. I didn't even have to explain the what else - he got it loud and clear.  Since then, there's been no more drama.  And things are...okay. We basically just stay out of each other's way.

So I sucked it up and called her and got the recipe.  And it was an okay conversation. Except that she "forgot" to tell me an important ingredient.  Apparently she didn't remember making it at my home several years ago and sending me to the store because it was an ingredient I didn't have. Because you know, why have cooking stuff if you don't cook?

I have no idea why I remembered that. But I did, so the recipe was saved.

I survived the phone conversation and successfully made the dressing.  So I had two extra things to be thankful for at Thanksgiving.