Happy Day Before!
The silverware's soaking, the coffee's new and there's so little left to do! Such is the life of a lazy contented retiree.
As often happens, I find myself thinking of y'all ... wondering what your morning is like. Please, pull up a chair and share a cup of goodness.
He comes from a large extended family where apron-clad women gathered at dawn to chop, toss flour and begin their mysterious preparations.
I don't remember my mother (or father) ever preparing a turkey. Instead, they sought someplace out of town with a nice restaurant where they could order off the menu. Anything except turkey. I can still hear daddy's voice, "This year I'm going to be thankful for ...." (fill-in-the-blank).
One of my favorite memories was a long weekend spent in Denver ... the glass elevator on the outside of a tall building that 'air lifted' us up to the restaurant on top. I'll never forget, as we started to rise, my father musing a-loud. "Wouldn't this be a heck of a time for a power outage?" Oh, the looks! (Yes, in all my pre-teen angst, I wanted to pretend I didn't know him.)
I can't recall what we ordered, but my mother's joy was palatable when they placed a basket of warm rolls in front of her with butter. "Real butter!" she'd exclaim. Simple pleasures from one who only ever purchased oleo and ice milk.
Have you a favorite or funny Thanksgiving memory?
🦃
Always a 'daddy's girl', I'd prefer a steak or brisket-- and Tom's always been accommodating.
First of all, may I wish you and your whole family a wonderful Thanksgiving and may God bless you all always.
ReplyDeleteWe don't celebrate Thanksgiving in the UK. Which is a great pity. I feel we should dedicate a day when we thank God for all we have as a nation ... but then ... over here many have many things in their lives except God.
As a family we often celebrated Christmas together. Not so traditional as turkey all the times; we also had lamb or/and beef. The important thing was togetherness ... oh and Monopoly. I often won!
God bless you and your always, Mevely.
Yes, togetherness! Thank you so much for your sincerity, Victor. It's felt.
DeleteI come from the family like Tom. the only Thanksgiving we did not eat with family, was 5 years in Ky but we did eat with other families in Daddy's church. I have never had a TG without turkey until 2007, the year after my son moved to TN and we no longer get together on holidays.
ReplyDeleteI had never cooked a turkey and never will, they freak me out uncooked. 1984, just before we married we went to my aunts for turkey and after that bob cooked it because I would not..
I only like the white meat and will eat in on 2 and 3rd day but not after that.
I actually loved TG because I am addicted to food and all the aunts and uncles brought food. and I loved to sit in the living room with daddy and his brothers, not with the aunts and my mother. the brothers gathered to tell tales of the past and boy were they bad boys... I loved their stories. the male cousins watched football, the female cousins hung with the women IN aprons and I hung with the guys. a few of the TG were at my uncles house 90 minutes from Savannah but the rest were always at Aunt Helens house, the one we lived in her back yard in the chicken cook. even when we moved to a house we all gather there. Aunt helen had dozens of aprons and the women all put one on. I never wore and apron, I was hanging out the the men
I love imagining your family's scenario! From the time I was a teen my mother would nag me, "Put on an apron!" But not until I had to pretreat all the mysterious stains did I finally learn to wear one.
DeleteWe, too, lived far away from relatives when I was growing up, and it was a thrill when my grandfather would fly down to have Thanksgiving with us. My mom always fixed a traditional meal with turkey, dressing, and all the fixins. I miss her apple pie to this day. And we are doing something completely different for us on Thanksgiving - going out to eat. I can't blame Danny for wanting a break from cooking, especially since extended family can't be with us. I'll simply be grateful to have the blessings I do. Let us know how the Publix fare turns out, Myra, and enjoy the day with your family!
ReplyDeleteNow I'm remembering that old commercial jingle, "You deserve a break today! I hope the food AND the atmosphere is grand!
Delete"Such is the life of a ... contented retiree."
ReplyDeleteWhat a blessed thing to be!
Turkey is not my favorite. I do love the stuffing, mac n'cheese, and cranberries. Cherry pie too. I like pumpkin pie also, well, anything pumpkin.
A funny story that's not mine: A teenager was driving along a country road and hit and killed a turkey. Can you imagine? Poor thing. He scooped it up and took it home. Those were simpler times and he thought maybe his mom would be able to cook it for Thanksgiving dinner. He placed it on the dining room table to surprise her. The rest of the family soon came home, and while they were gathered in the kitchen, began to ask eachother what that strange sound was. Some kind of fusing and squawking was coming from the other room. Rushing in, they were quite surprised to be met by a large turkey VULTURE, a little dizzy and staggering but very much alive, on the dining room table. Yikes!!
P.S. True story. They didn't eat it.
That's hysterical! ... funniest thing I've heard in a long time.
DeleteBeing an only child and all of our relatives lived in Minnesota (us in California) our holidays were different than other family gatherings were.
ReplyDeleteWe always had plenty of people around our table though. There were quite a few families in our church that were without family on the holiday. Many years we had them at our home. I grew up thinking that was the way everybody celebrated. Yes, the traditional turkey and sides were always there and Mom brought out her good china and silver and glassware. They were the most beautiful tables I ever saw. Just thought of something... of course there were always black olives (pitted) on the table . They graced my fingers and those kids with us too. Mom made carrot curls and radish roses. I thought they were so elegant in her crystal relish dishes.
One year mom and dad decided to go to a restaurant instead of cooking. It was the most dreary and bland dinner I can remember. Never again would we do that.
Enjoy your family and all the goodness from Publix. Isn't it all about Family anyway?
Sue
Thank you for sharing your memories, Sue! I'd forgotten about the black olives, but yes; such fun they were. Delicious, too.
DeleteNormally my mother's crystal relish dishes serve as holders for my toothpaste, brush, eye wash, etc., etc. -- but tomorrow they'll make their annual appearance in the kitchen. (After being thoroughly washed, of course- lol.)
I do not like Turkey and if it were up to me, we would do as your mom and dad did.....We would be eating out at a fancy restaurant. If the restaurant thing didn't work out, then I would prefer to have everyone over for dessert only! LOl.. Maybe I should suggest a progressive Thanksgiving meal. I love your story!! Isn't it fun to look back on things of the past that really stand out to us? My family is much like Tom's. There were 4 of us siblings....(my dad was the baby of 15 kids 😳). Lots of food and cooking went on. Hoping you all have the very best Thanksgiving....
ReplyDeleteI'd forgotten all about those progressive dinner parties. Such fun!
DeleteI hope your family Thanksgiving is wonderful!
I too, grew up not celebrating any holiday with Grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles. Just mom and dad and my little sister. There were a lot of families like that in the neighborhood. After we would eat, in the early afternoon, then us neighborhood kids would go outside to play while our parents were sleeping off the meal. Sometimes the parents would visit and have cocktails and desserts into the evening and we’d get out the leftovers and go in for another round - or a Turkey and cranberry sandwich at my friends house.
ReplyDeleteIt was fun. I used to love turkey, until one year I was preparing the turkey and I just started thinking about the turkeys that walk through my neighborhood - I enjoyed them. I got a bit nauseous and ever since, it just doesn’t taste like it used to.
Happy Thanksgiving 🦃
Good point! When I learned Tom's daughter was serving 'Betty' -- one of their tame turkeys -- I couldn't bring myself to eat.
DeleteWe no longer have an oven so our roast turkey days are behind us. It will be just the two of us, but my life is full of gratitude. ❤️
ReplyDeleteYes, that's what's most important!
DeleteMy upbringing was in line with your Tom's. BIG family gatherings and tons of turkey and all the trimmings. I still prefer 10-12 folks around the table. Only four of us this year. I still have a 19 pound turkey to roast and look forward the most to turkey sandwiches. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!! Love & hugs!
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving, Terri! I'll bet your home smells wonderful! xo
DeleteI am sitting here with a blank. I cannot remember a single thanksgiving. I wish I could. I cannot remember anything about Thanksgiving. I in my past. Even last year. Sherry however can remember details. It hurts to lose one's memory. But I will remember this one. We will go to Orlando to visit our son. He has no choice BUT we will be there. WE plan to grill steaks that he will buy. We will find a park to visit in. Then we will say good bye until our next visit.
ReplyDeleteI will be missing for a few days methinks. Life sucks at times, but I am Thankful at least our health is good, not sure about life. But I am thankful I at least am healthy, for what reason, I have no idea/
Thinking of y'all, dear friends and sending prayers wrapped in love.
DeleteThese are so great. I can't take time to write at the moment...I've already overstayed my wake up time and it is bed time. But I hope to catch up with everyone probably AFTER tomorrow is over! Happy Thanksgiving. How exciting to have a very PG granddaughter coming...won't be long before you have a great grandbaby! I'm SO happy for you. That is something to celebrate for sure!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for postponing your bedtime to come by! Happy Thanksgiving blessings!
DeleteWe had turkey and all the trimmings today from a local restaurant and took that to my mother-in-law's. We ate and talked and had a very nice time together. So tomorrow, it will just be hubby and me and the dog at home all day. Planning frozen pizza for lunch and hamburgers for dinner. Also, planning to put up the tree and watch movies and maybe read all day! Hope your Thanksgiving is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds wonderful, Cathy! No rules, just right.
DeleteYour Thanksgiving sounds perfect to me! There is nothing better than good food and family! We are going to my son's house here in Texas. He is smoking turkey and my son in law is deep frying one in a Turkey fryer. I will be enjoy the feast, family and friends coming too. Happy Thanksgiving! Love, ma
ReplyDeleteDeep frying sounds delicious! 😋
DeleteEnjoyed reading your post and your memories. I'm glad you are getting a dinner from Publix. Enjoy! Have a wonderful time with the family. Happy Thanksgiving to all of you.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Debby. Happy Thanksgiving!
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