Thanks For The Memories

November 30, 2008

As Thanksgiving Day approached I found the neat memory album that Cindy made for me in 2004. There I found pictures and writings from each person sharing Thanksgiving with Dick and me. All of you are in that book which I treasure more each year...Not nearly as many of you sitting at our table, but none of you were forgotten in the blessing or remembrances just three days ago.
For no particular reason Dick and I decorated our place for Christmas prior to Thanksgiving. Dick did a bang-up job on the outside and I decorated the tree and made the interior look festive. I have been known to complain about the stores pushing Christmas merchandise before Halloween, and most emphatically, Thanksgiving. My sub-conscious may have prodded me into the early decorating, but now as I enjoy our efforts, it was well worth the dozen or more trips I made to the "Christmas" shed. All the while hoping some little critter didn't jump out at me from one of the boxes stored there for a year. I was sighing a sigh of relief when something touched my arm and I jumped like I had been shot- the lizard was probably equally frightened. With the decorating going well I began my yearly "Thanksgiving" menu planning. All the traditional foods were a given- turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, green beans- well, you get the picture...but as usual I wanted to add something new and different. So, I scoured the internet and became interested in a recipe for German red cabbage. A little different but well received- Dick really loved it.. Also, I try a different recipe for the sweet potatoes each year (never one of my favorite dishes, so I've experimented over the years to find one I could truly say I liked.) Last year I thought I had finally found the one I would use each Thanksgiving- it was actually very good. As happens sometimes I now have one even better! While talking with my friend, Betty, I mentioned my sweet potato search...she assured me that her mother's North Carolina recipe was delicious and she was sure I would like it. Just a few days later the recipe arrived in the mail- I made it and voila, it is fantastic. However, I do believe it should be in the dessert category rather than be designated as a vegetable. At this point I will break my arm a little bit and brag on my gravy- the best I've made in years. The reason I include this little tidbit in my blog? Truth be told I phoned Jensen's Fine Foods to order turkey gravy thinking it would eliminate a lot of last minute preparations- however- at almost $10.00 a quart it would have tasted like "kite paste" (one of grandma Opal's favorite sayings.) Therefore, I did the gravy and the gravy gods were looking over my shoulder.
Every Thanksgiving stuffing the turkey was a chore I didn't relish. Prior to eating it had to be extracted from the turkey carcass which was, not only messy, but much of the stuffing was left inside. Now, after decades of this yearly routine I found the most clever gadget- a stuffing basket or cage as it was called. Fill it- put it in the turkey- and when the cooked bird comes out of the oven- extract the cage and fill up the bowl. No mess, no time wasted trying to get as much of the dressing out of the cavity as possible. My little success story...
We were to eat at noon- everyone arrived on time- Kirby- Cindy- Kevin- Holly-Patty-Cindy Sheehe- and Frances. It was an enjoyable meal- everyone was congenial and seemed to enjoy the meal.
Most of you know my little quirks...one of which is my preference to do my dishes. My son declared I would not go to the kitchen and the dishes would get done- and they did- and I must admit it was rather nice not having to face the mountain of dirty dishes, pot and pans, and general clean-up. They had brought pinochle cards and a game was in order- Patty and I were partners with Kevin and Holly as our adversaries. It wasn't a runaway, but Patty and I were champions. Before everyone departed for their trip home we had pie and coffee- and oh yes, each wrote in my album making 2008 Thanksgiving official.
Over the years I have come to expect something made by Cindy to make the table look extra special- she didn't disappoint. The leaf shaped coasters with each persons name on them were very clever and colorful. She took them home and will make a table runner which she can add on to in the years to come.
While cooking I wore the Thanksgiving apron that Darla (Dinka) gave me on a Thanksgiving several years ago. It always makes me think of her (not that I need something to remind me) and is so seasonally appropriate.
After lunch it was so neat to visit with Karen and Emily via Skype. Ella was napping so we missed seeing her. Chris was at the hospital visiting his dad who is doing well. It wasn't a stroke but the symptoms were similar at the onset of whatever the doctors have diagnosed.
Now, Christmas is soon upon us- I look so forward to seeing Darla, Steve, Bri and Elyse. And Christmas Day I'll get to visit Scott, Rachel, and Brendan. It can't get here soon enough- and that is why time flies- when you are having fun.
Thanks for the memories, each and everyone of you- you were all here with me on Thanksgiving- if not in person- surely in love.

To Blog or Not to Blog?

They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks- I'm here to dispute that statement by posting my very first "blog". After reading blogspots by my grandson, granddaughter-in-law, and today, my daughter, I decided this old gal was up to the challenge.
For quite some time now I have been putting my "silent thoughts" to paper or tucked away as a document in my computer. At times I look back at what I've written and the words evoke a pleasant memory, or perhaps, a chuckle as I wonder the mood I must have been in at a given time.
If asked to describe my days the word mundane comes to mind-then I awake to "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You" being sung to me by Mr. Dick. This is followed by "How Much Is That Doggie In The Window?". I join in for the chorus of barking whereupon Charlie starts howling and our trio is complete. I can only imagine what the neighbors might think if they heard all this commotion...
Now that I have completely destroyed the image of two staid senior citizens being "old" and "proper" please remember you are related to us. On that note I will take leave of those who may be perusing my words as they question my mental state. Life is good-get older but don't get"old".