Thanksgiving Memories and More

First of all, HAPPY THANKSGIVING to all! God bless!


All the years I lived at home, as a kid and as a young adult, we alternated holidays with my aunt and uncle. One year it would be Thanksgiving with us and Christmas with them, then the next year it would be Thanksgiving with them and Christmas with us, and so on. One time I remember we were going to the big city for Thanksgiving with them, and we took the "scenic route" through the Gyp Hills. It had snowed, and I still remember how beautiful that landscape was with the snow on it.


Just imagine this scene in the winter, with snow, and it gives you an idea.



(Photo from the internet - www.virtualtourist.com)


Growing up, Mom had the habit, on Thanksgiving, of getting up in the wee hours to put the turkey in the oven. I remember slightly waking up and hearing her in the kitchen. Then, as you woke up later, you could smell that delicious roast-turkey smell wafting through the house. She had pies made, dressing, potatoes, gravy, maybe some broccoli and cheese, relishes, etc. One year, we were all JUST ready to sit down at the table, everything was ready. Then, she suddenly realized .... she forgot to make the mashed potatoes! She didn't even peel any! So that was a standing joke after that: "Did you make mashed potatoes?"


Not sure when this picture was taken, it looks like she may be getting ready to fry chicken. But, it gives a perfect example of her working in her "corner," getting a meal ready. And, you see those saucepans at the front of the stove? Well ...




... we just got through eating mashed potatoes and gravy from them! I enjoy using them still. I just wonder, between Mom and now me, how MANY rounds of mashed potatoes have been made in that saucepan?




Here's a couple of pictures of our Thanksgiving meal, I think in 1990. Here's Mom and Dad ...




... and me and Mom.




The thing about this time of year was, Dad's birthday was just a few days after Thanksgiving. He was born on his mother's birthday, which I always thought was interesting. Their family had a tradition of rolling people under the bed on their birthdays. So on Grandma's and Dad's birthdays, she'd get rolled under the bed, then Dad rolled under right after her. Not sure what the significance of that was! I wouldn't have fit under my bed as a kid, had too much junk under it! That was my "storage area" for toys and stuff.


Here are a few pictures of Dad's birthday, I think that same year, 1990. I evidently got my new glasses at the time. Here's Mom and Dad ...




... and me and Dad. You can see that platter full of swiss steak. I still have that platter. Sorry I can't say the same for all that Fiesta Ware. The table is now my quilt studio sewing table, and that makes me happy.




Dad blowing out the candles on his cake.




Then, around this time, there was always a little overlapping in the decorating department - turkeys and pilgrims and indians in the window, and lights and garland strung around it! I am THANKFUL for family photos and great memories.