Why do people insist on...

[Mr Potatohead]

Scalloped potatoes are thinner (obviously they've been to the gym more often than I have, as Mrs. Potatohead keeps telling me) and they're covered in a cheese sauce. Now make sure you don't use nacho cheese, because it will end up way too stringy. As for me, I don't eat the stuff, because I'm not a cannibal.

Don't serve with pudding. Pudding scares me. Too easy for a spud to fall in and drown.

 

[Michie]

kind of.....
it isn't what dish, but by goodness, if I say NO and you are family......then don't bring it!

mother in law or not, like her or not, she was still a guest in your home, and you should have been a gracious hostess.

 

[Mskanga]

Are you serious an argument over scalloped potatos? Let the woman bring them and put them out , you don't have to eat them if you don't want to but perhaps there's someone else who would like some. I know my MIL would make things sometimes that didn't go with the meal she was making , you know why? Because she knew that was what one specific person would eat !

 

[Cantw8]

Scalloped potatoes are thinner (obviously they've been to the gym more often than I have, as Mrs. Potatohead keeps telling me) and they're covered in a cheese sauce. Now make sure you don't use nacho cheese, because it will end up way too stringy. As for me, I don't eat the stuff, because I'm not a cannibal.

Don't serve with pudding. Pudding scares me. Too easy for a spud to fall in and drown.

pssst, Spudhead.....we have already established that scalloped potatoes are in a cream sauce, not cheese. Jeeezzz, what kind of expert are you

 

[yeartolate]

kind of.....
it isn't what dish, but by goodness, if I say NO and you are family......then don't bring it!

That sounds more like something a dictater would say.....

 

[Stacey2grls]

I know this is somewhat off topic, but, I feel life is too short to worry about such insignifigant things. Just be grateful that she wants to come to your house and bring something. My mother passed away when I was 19, she has never seen my girls, never was able to come to my home for a holiday. My MIL is very much alive, lives 2 minutes away and hasn't seen my girls 7 and 5 in 4 months, she could really care less about us all. I would love to have a MIL that wanted to make scalloped potatoes to bring to my holiday meal. I know this is a bit of a rant, but, sometimes in life you have to put things into perspective, and realize that there is alot to feel fortunate for, and to not worry so much about a side dish.

 

[Michie]

I know this is somewhat off topic, but, I feel life is too short to worry about such insignifigant things. Just be grateful that she wants to come to your house and bring something. My mother passed away when I was 19, she has never seen my girls, never was able to come to my home for a holiday. My MIL is very much alive, lives 2 minutes away and hasn't seen my girls 7 and 5 in 4 months, she could really care less about us all. I would love to have a MIL that wanted to make scalloped potatoes to bring to my holiday meal. I know this is a bit of a rant, but, sometimes in life you have to put things into perspective, and realize that there is alot to feel fortunate for, and to not worry so much about a side dish.[/QUOTE

I agree with you! My mother passed away too, before I was married. My MIL isnt perfect and neither I am. But too fuss over such a silly thing, is just silly.

 

[Wishing on a star]

I agree with that last post!

It is interesting how the OP says, if it is 'Family'...
Sharing should be welcomed with 'FAMILY'.

If it were not family, I might understand the OP.

The OP makes it sound as if a family meal is some haughty-taughty affair.

Her MIL has probably been making those potatos for her son since he was a baby.

 

[disneymom3]

pssst, Spudhead.....we have already established that scalloped potatoes are in a cream sauce, not cheese. Jeeezzz, what kind of expert are you

Oohhhh, all of my ideals are shattered now. Mr Potatohead, you sadden me.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Get this,

At my families Christmas gathering, which WAS pot-luck,

I brought a large ham, hot from my oven, and homemade from scratch pumpkin pie.

Others showed up with a small plate of fudge, or maybe some other little appetizer.

One sister showed up with her family of five to feed, bringing NOTHING!!!

There were not even any potatoes at all. I would have killed for that pan of scalloped potatos!!!!

I was definately the 'busiest' and traveled the farthest into town... Yet, there would have been NO supper without my contributions.

 

[Mr Potatohead]

pssst, Spudhead.....we have already established that scalloped potatoes are in a cream sauce, not cheese. Jeeezzz, what kind of expert are you

I never said I was an expert at cooking potatoes. Potatoes are our friends.

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

I never said I was an expert at cooking potatoes. Potatoes are our friends.

I got beat up by a sack in H.S., and they took my lunch money. I never did anything to them. They're no friend of mine.

 

[Poohnatic]

I know this is somewhat off topic, but, I feel life is too short to worry about such insignifigant things. Just be grateful that she wants to come to your house and bring something. My mother passed away when I was 19, she has never seen my girls, never was able to come to my home for a holiday. My MIL is very much alive, lives 2 minutes away and hasn't seen my girls 7 and 5 in 4 months, she could really care less about us all. I would love to have a MIL that wanted to make scalloped potatoes to bring to my holiday meal. I know this is a bit of a rant, but, sometimes in life you have to put things into perspective, and realize that there is alot to feel fortunate for, and to not worry so much about a side dish.

I wholeheartedly agree. I drove across the bay to pick up my stepdad to join my family for Christmas dinner. While on the bridge, had a serious cry that last year, my family was headed over to see MOM and stepdad and spend our first Christmas with family members in almost ten years. If stepdad wanted to bring pickled herring (eww, but he likes it), I'd find a dish and put it out.

Far more important to spend that time with the ones we love than quibble over what's on the table.

Suzanne

 

[lillygator]

mother in law or not, like her or not, she was still a guest in your home, and you should have been a gracious hostess.

WHO SAID I wasn't a gracious hostess? I still put out the items she did bring..........!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GEEEEEZZZZZZZZZZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I mean, when she kept calling and asking I told her to bring nothing, then finally if she insisted further than my insisting - to bring a dessert dish.

I put the items out she brought, smiled and said thank you. I don't think telling her to bring nothing is making her feel unwelcome. I know she has a lot to do, she still works and if she had to make a dish she would have been saying how tired she was from staying up all night making scalloped potatoes.

 

[lillygator]

I agree with that last post!

It is interesting how the OP says, if it is 'Family'...
Sharing should be welcomed with 'FAMILY'.

If it were not family, I might understand the OP.

The OP makes it sound as if a family meal is some haughty-taughty affair.

Her MIL has probably been making those potatos for her son since he was a baby.

Uhh no, she hasn't.

Our dinners aren't potluck, they are "sit down" served meals.

As far as the "life is short" posts.....I REALIZE THAT!! I CAME HERE TO VENT PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[cardaway]

Uhh no, she hasn't.

Our dinners aren't potluck, they are "sit down" served meals.

As far as the "life is short" posts.....I REALIZE THAT!! I CAME HERE TO VENT PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And the rest are VENTING about your VENT.

 

[Chicago526]

Well, I get what you're saying, lillygator!

Just because life is short, doesn't mean we don't have the right to feel anoyed by the dumb things our relatives do! I would have been anoyed too. You did the right thing, you served the item(s) your MIL brought, even though they were not what you told her to bring (after begging her not to bring anything at all!) and did not complain in front of her. You sound like a very nice DIL. But you absolutly have the right to feel anoyed about it, and to come here and vent about it without 11+ pages of judgement.

 

[L107ANGEL]

I got beat up by a sack in H.S., and they took my lunch money. I never did anything to them. They're no friend of mine.

I could not agree with you more Duck! I have had my run-ins with those potatoes that have gone bad and it was not a happy experience to say the least. With all of those eyes you just never know where they are really looking so it is hard to say what they will do next. Potatoes may be a vital part of our society but they have their place and need to be reminded of that

 

[lillygator]

Well, I get what you're saying, lillygator!

Just because life is short, doesn't mean we don't have the right to feel anoyed by the dumb things our relatives do! I would have been anoyed too. You did the right thing, you served the item(s) your MIL brought, even though they were not what you told her to bring (after begging her not to bring anything at all!) and did not complain in front of her. You sound like a very nice DIL. But you absolutly have the right to feel anoyed about it, and to come here and vent about it without 11+ pages of judgement.

I'm beginning to feel like I can't!!
Don't get me wrong she is family and I would never speak to hurt her feelings, even when asking to bring nothing, I did it nicely, stating I know she is busy, etc...I thought it would be nice if DH and I provided (and did) everything to give the rest of the family a break for a change.

Oh well, the holiday is over...now on to Easter and also figure out what to do about early arrivals!!

 

[twinmomplus2new]

I just read most of this thread through and I can see both sides. For a family dinner I would probably just smile and serve teh dish. If you don't think it goes with what your serving don't eat it. Honestly It wouldn't bug me...

However that said.......I can see the OP side and maybe there is more to this than meets the eye? My dh's family always insists on bringing a dish, However the only time they have been here for a dinner situatuion has been a Christening, First communion etc.. There was a giant row here over some cheeseburger puffs.

I am very particular about parties of those sorts and had very definate ideas about what I was serving. I said Please come to My CATERED party and enjoy yourself. I was told it was silly to spend money on food out and that each would bring thier fave dish. I said no thanks.. It continued A few days before the party in question, My DH said his sis was bringing her famous cheeseburger puffs. I admit I went postal. I did not want some tacky cheeseburger puffs. She brought them anyway, Yes I served them not with appetizers but rather on the kids table with Chips/and snacks. Noone touched them. I did however serve them. But honestly it was a control issue. Insisting on bringing of all things cheeseburger puffs to a vegatarian home was rude.