Help me plan food logistics of this 3 day visit

[Anonymous]

Not to pile on, OP, but as someone with family members with anxiety, I urge you to look into what enabling behavior is by a loved one, and why it’s harmful long term. It’s really counterproductive to what you think helps, but its well established psychiatric practice. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/how-to-help-someone-with-anxiety

That said, I would do charcuterie at the picnic if you’re sitting, and sandwiches on the boat (3 options - one veggie, one mayo based, 2 bread options). Presliced meat is totally fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here,

to clarify the bread comment. I bake about 20 loaves a week. Usually one for us, one goes in our freezer and the others are orders that friends and neighbors have requested and paid for. So while baking 4 loaves of bread may seem like a lot to ask, I bake about 10 loaves each day on Sat and Sun anyway.

How many do you have in your freezer already? When do you use those?

How about freshly caught lightly fried tuna with toast squares for the boat with a selection of fresh fruit, and $80+ lasagna for the picnic lunch? It would be so much easier.

And then you can declare that the kitchen is closed!

Get your DH a consultation with a psychiatrist for meds to treat his anxiety and a therapist.

We have about 10 loaves in the freezer. I used them in times like these when we have lots of people in the house. For example, if we have 20 people for breakfast, I’ll make French toast with the surplus of bread.

Also why would a lasagna cost $80? I could make it for much cheaper.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here,

to clarify the bread comment. I bake about 20 loaves a week. Usually one for us, one goes in our freezer and the others are orders that friends and neighbors have requested and paid for. So while baking 4 loaves of bread may seem like a lot to ask, I bake about 10 loaves each day on Sat and Sun anyway.

How many do you have in your freezer already? When do you use those?

How about freshly caught lightly fried tuna with toast squares for the boat with a selection of fresh fruit, and $80+ lasagna for the picnic lunch? It would be so much easier.

And then you can declare that the kitchen is closed!

Get your DH a consultation with a psychiatrist for meds to treat his anxiety and a therapist.

We have about 10 loaves in the freezer. I used them in times like these when we have lots of people in the house. For example, if we have 20 people for breakfast, I’ll make French toast with the surplus of bread.

Also why would a lasagna cost $80? I could make it for much cheaper.

Wouldn't you like to spend time with your guests, and not time hidden away in your kitchen cooking and cleaning?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So many questions. But first ... is he always like this?

Now that I see that you're having dinner at a marina after the boat ride, I'll say sandwiches for the concert and charcuterie for the boat.

Typically he makes his requests known and I do my best to make them happen. When friends are in town, he especially wants things to go without issues because they are here for a short vacation.

Ok, at this point it’s clear you’re just trolling us.

The panini press really took it over the top.

I laughed out loud at the mention of the panini press. I actually hope OP is a troll rather than a spouse whose DH is this nuts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here,

to clarify the bread comment. I bake about 20 loaves a week. Usually one for us, one goes in our freezer and the others are orders that friends and neighbors have requested and paid for. So while baking 4 loaves of bread may seem like a lot to ask, I bake about 10 loaves each day on Sat and Sun anyway.

How many do you have in your freezer already? When do you use those?

How about freshly caught lightly fried tuna with toast squares for the boat with a selection of fresh fruit, and $80+ lasagna for the picnic lunch? It would be so much easier.

And then you can declare that the kitchen is closed!

Get your DH a consultation with a psychiatrist for meds to treat his anxiety and a therapist.

We have about 10 loaves in the freezer. I used them in times like these when we have lots of people in the house. For example, if we have 20 people for breakfast, I’ll make French toast with the surplus of bread.

Also why would a lasagna cost $80? I could make it for much cheaper.

It’s in an old DCUM post, but you have to adjust for current inflation. You and your DH seem to want to serve only the very best, made from scratch foods to your guests, so why would you cheap out on the lasagna?

[Anonymous]

Lightly fried and spiced tuna, the gift that keeps on giving.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here,

to clarify the bread comment. I bake about 20 loaves a week. Usually one for us, one goes in our freezer and the others are orders that friends and neighbors have requested and paid for. So while baking 4 loaves of bread may seem like a lot to ask, I bake about 10 loaves each day on Sat and Sun anyway.

How many do you have in your freezer already? When do you use those?

How about freshly caught lightly fried tuna with toast squares for the boat with a selection of fresh fruit, and $80+ lasagna for the picnic lunch? It would be so much easier.

And then you can declare that the kitchen is closed!

Get your DH a consultation with a psychiatrist for meds to treat his anxiety and a therapist.

We have about 10 loaves in the freezer. I used them in times like these when we have lots of people in the house. For example, if we have 20 people for breakfast, I’ll make French toast with the surplus of bread.

Also why would a lasagna cost $80? I could make it for much cheaper.

It’s in an old DCUM post, but you have to adjust for current inflation. You and your DH seem to want to serve only the very best, made from scratch foods to your guests, so why would you cheap out on the lasagna?

Please tell me how a homemade lasagna is going to cost $80 in materials? Yeah maybe with truffle oil or something but….?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is your DH micromanaging you? Ask him to make the food if he is so particular.
If you’re doing charcuterie I’d just pick up trays from Wegmans.

He doesn’t really handle food in our house so that’s why I’m trying to plan this all out. He does man the grill though! He also doesn’t want pre made charcuterie. He prefers to have all the meats and cheeses sliced fresh at the deli counter and then I arrange them. Also I add in other items like stuffed olives, soft cheeses like Brie , tapenades and hummus. Those are all store bought though so pretty simple.

Op, does it really not bother you that your “DH” is treating you like a caterer? This just sounds so demeaning. You need to worry less about charcuterie and sandwich combos and more about gaining some self respect.

Op here,

This is totally uncalled for. DH isn't a good cook or host and I doubt he is going to learn all those skills between now and Tuesday. As far as him "treating me like a caterer" I don't see that at all. He is making his requests known. Same as any other day when he says "honey, I'd like [insert item] for dinner tomorrow". That's not treating me like a caterer. I have a great deal of self respect. Part of it is making sure this visit goes off without complications.

Once I get through day 2, I am not worried about the food logistics. Day three is just a brunch out at a restaurant and then I'll be serving dinner.

If he’s not a good cook or host then his input should be limited to expressing gratitude for you doing the majority of the labor/offering to assist where he can. The fact that he is incompetent in this arena and yet allegedly requesting that you bake 5 types of bread/hand arrange the charcuterie per his preference is ludicrous and I’m sorry you can’t see that. I’m assuming he compensates by bringing in tons of money but it’s still sad that he’s treating you like the help.

He gets very anxious. It's not meant as a control thing but he gets anxiety about "omg, what if someone wants ___ type of bread and we don't have it???". Usually he realizes that we can't have every food item available and no one expects us to do so. He gets like that about wine/beer/champagne as well. Recently we had a dinner party and he bought 20 bottles of wine because he wanted to make sure any/every taste was accommodated. Of course, people just chose white or red and that was that. So we have 15 bottles of leftover wine. It's something he works on in therapy.

OMG What if someone wanted something delicious to drink that isn't wine? And isn't water? What if they need something delicious to wash their food down with? Was he prepared for that? Please say yes I am on the edge of my seat

Haha, is this because water doesn't really quench their thirst? Are you making a reference to that classic thread? Please tell me you are!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here,

to clarify the bread comment. I bake about 20 loaves a week. Usually one for us, one goes in our freezer and the others are orders that friends and neighbors have requested and paid for. So while baking 4 loaves of bread may seem like a lot to ask, I bake about 10 loaves each day on Sat and Sun anyway.

How many do you have in your freezer already? When do you use those?

How about freshly caught lightly fried tuna with toast squares for the boat with a selection of fresh fruit, and $80+ lasagna for the picnic lunch? It would be so much easier.

And then you can declare that the kitchen is closed!

Get your DH a consultation with a psychiatrist for meds to treat his anxiety and a therapist.

Maybe also a pear and some Frangelico?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This needs to be in the relationships board

My first thought too!

There's way more to it than how many egg salad sandwiches to make.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here,

to clarify the bread comment. I bake about 20 loaves a week. Usually one for us, one goes in our freezer and the others are orders that friends and neighbors have requested and paid for. So while baking 4 loaves of bread may seem like a lot to ask, I bake about 10 loaves each day on Sat and Sun anyway.

How many do you have in your freezer already? When do you use those?

How about freshly caught lightly fried tuna with toast squares for the boat with a selection of fresh fruit, and $80+ lasagna for the picnic lunch? It would be so much easier.

And then you can declare that the kitchen is closed!

Get your DH a consultation with a psychiatrist for meds to treat his anxiety and a therapist.

We have about 10 loaves in the freezer. I used them in times like these when we have lots of people in the house. For example, if we have 20 people for breakfast, I’ll make French toast with the surplus of bread.

Also why would a lasagna cost $80? I could make it for much cheaper.

It’s in an old DCUM post, but you have to adjust for current inflation. You and your DH seem to want to serve only the very best, made from scratch foods to your guests, so why would you cheap out on the lasagna?

Please tell me how a homemade lasagna is going to cost $80 in materials? Yeah maybe with truffle oil or something but….?

You might find all the secrets here beginning at 21:41 on page 4:
https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/45/601253.page

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here,

to clarify the bread comment. I bake about 20 loaves a week. Usually one for us, one goes in our freezer and the others are orders that friends and neighbors have requested and paid for. So while baking 4 loaves of bread may seem like a lot to ask, I bake about 10 loaves each day on Sat and Sun anyway.

How many do you have in your freezer already? When do you use those?

How about freshly caught lightly fried tuna with toast squares for the boat with a selection of fresh fruit, and $80+ lasagna for the picnic lunch? It would be so much easier.

And then you can declare that the kitchen is closed!

Get your DH a consultation with a psychiatrist for meds to treat his anxiety and a therapist.

Maybe also a pear and some Frangelico?

PP here. With some gouda cheese — perfect!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here,

to clarify the bread comment. I bake about 20 loaves a week. Usually one for us, one goes in our freezer and the others are orders that friends and neighbors have requested and paid for. So while baking 4 loaves of bread may seem like a lot to ask, I bake about 10 loaves each day on Sat and Sun anyway.

How many do you have in your freezer already? When do you use those?

How about freshly caught lightly fried tuna with toast squares for the boat with a selection of fresh fruit, and $80+ lasagna for the picnic lunch? It would be so much easier.

And then you can declare that the kitchen is closed!

Get your DH a consultation with a psychiatrist for meds to treat his anxiety and a therapist.

Maybe also a pear and some Frangelico?

PP here. With some gouda cheese — perfect!

OP's DH will tell you that you need 45 types of cheese to go with your pear (well, why stop at pear, you must buy 10 different kinds of fruit )and Frangelico (why stop at Frangelico???).

[Anonymous]

I pity the deli worker at OP’s grocery store.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is your DH micromanaging you? Ask him to make the food if he is so particular.
If you’re doing charcuterie I’d just pick up trays from Wegmans.

He doesn’t really handle food in our house so that’s why I’m trying to plan this all out. He does man the grill though! He also doesn’t want pre made charcuterie. He prefers to have all the meats and cheeses sliced fresh at the deli counter and then I arrange them. Also I add in other items like stuffed olives, soft cheeses like Brie , tapenades and hummus. Those are all store bought though so pretty simple.

Op, does it really not bother you that your “DH” is treating you like a caterer? This just sounds so demeaning. You need to worry less about charcuterie and sandwich combos and more about gaining some self respect.

Op here,

This is totally uncalled for. DH isn't a good cook or host and I doubt he is going to learn all those skills between now and Tuesday. As far as him "treating me like a caterer" I don't see that at all. He is making his requests known. Same as any other day when he says "honey, I'd like [insert item] for dinner tomorrow". That's not treating me like a caterer. I have a great deal of self respect. Part of it is making sure this visit goes off without complications.

Once I get through day 2, I am not worried about the food logistics. Day three is just a brunch out at a restaurant and then I'll be serving dinner.

Things my DH would never say to me. Sorry OP but you allow this behavior so just do what he tells you to do!

Op here... this isn't a demand! Haven't you ever had a craving for something specifc and decided that's what was going to be for dinner (or tomorrow's dinner if it's too late in the day)? It's like if I saw a commercial for a new restaurant and mentioned to DH that I want to go there and try it out.

NP. I do all meal planning and cooking in our relationship. My husband doesn’t ever do this. He always just expresses gratitude for me doing meal prep/cooking. If there’s something he’d like to have he’ll say “maybe I can pick up some xyz takeout Friday. I’ve been really craving xyz.” At which point I’ll either gladly accept his offer to pick up take out or offer to make whatever it is he’s craving at home.

He doesn’t put in requests. I’m not his employee and he’s not at a restaurant.

Are you sure he realizes this? Per a number of your previous posts he seems to have pretty strong “preferences” as to what you prepare.

I haven’t posted before so not sure what you mean., and not sure who realizes what