I remember my first Thanksgiving as the in-law. It became time to assign the dishes for the family Thanksgiving. My mother-in-law asked me what I wanted to bring. I began with the sweet potatoes.
"Oh... no, that would not be good, Aunt Mary always brings the sweet potatoes."
"How about the rolls?" I asked, still excited to participate.
"Well..." she said sheepishly, "Bobby's wife always brings those."
"I could do the green bean casserole," thinking to myself that surely no one has a special affinity for cans of green beans and mushroom soup!
"Nope...Aunt Sue."
"Pumpkin Pie?"
"Not a chance... that is Grammies' specialty."
"Whipped cream?"
"No...Uncle Bill brings it from the farm...fresh!"
When our conversation was over I was assigned four two-liter bottles of soda. It was funny. I must have been very good at it because, for years until most of my Aunts passed away, my "thing to bring" was always the soda. I really can cook too. It wasn't about the quality of the cook it was about the tradition.
This month is filled with traditions. Many of them revolve around food. Since that first year as the in-law we have developed many new traditions. Today - the actual turkey is my tradition. I hold that place of honor. We have Andy's Frozen Custard with our pumpkin pie and the green bean casserole has been replaced with green rice casserole. But one thing stays consistent across all tables of America . . . thankfulness.
During this month of traditions, share your own traditions, wonderful recipes and the stories of thankfulness with those around you. It is time we smiled and felt joy in our hearts for what we do have. Let's bring light into our homes and celebrate life.
Friday, October 23, 2009
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4 comments:
I am so happy to see this, the beginning of the holidays are coming. With that brings my favorite holiday Thanksgiving.
Yes a day of cooking (by my mother in law) football and eating all day long. I help out in the kitchen a little, help with the turnips and my ever so popular pumpkin cheesecake and I do all the clean up that night.
I enjoy this day with my family, and I always make it a point to run out and visit some of my other family close by. Say hello, enjoy the company. Its this time of the year that I realize just how lucky I am and how Thankful I am for everything that I have in my life.
Going to be another great holiday season!
The family always fights over who is going to host this holiday feast. I think it's because it is the greatest family holiday we celebrate. No consumerism, except for food and drink!
The only thing is that I wish the NFL would mix up a bit the teams that play on Thanksgiving. Tired of watching the Lions!
By the way we are deep-frying our Turkey this year which is a first! Wish me luck.
One tradition I will never let go of is Thanksgiving dinner needs to be a sit down meal. When I was growing up, no matter how many people attended it was always a sit down never a buffet. Tables were in every room but we all had a place, we all had a chance to say what we were thankful for and my father lead the prayer. There is nothing like a house full of people sitting around several tables sharing, laughing, stuffing themselves and being thankful for your family and friends. I love this time of year!
Thanksgiving is always a great event. Every year the weather seems to be different. But it is always a great get together for families at the hotel or at home.
We should all be thankful for what we have and the oppurtunity to watch football all day.
Happy thanksgiving to MJ associates.
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