Inspired by the ever-popular what’s for dinner thread… What’s for Thanksgiving dinner?
The meal for us always includes the “Polish Salad” created by my grandmother. Lettuce, pickles, olives and mayonnaise dressing. It’s pretty awful, and we can’t figure out what’s Polish about it. But we make it every year even though no one eats it—especially the younger generations. Raising my fork with a bite of that dish always brings memories of our many holiday meals together.
All of us at AgingCare hope that your holiday season brings memories, laughs and meaningful things.
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!
I sure miss my dad!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Grandmother’s menu was not really unusual other than there was a running argument about whether to include the oysters in the cornbread dressing or not. I remember her working in a tiny bit of pork sausage too, but this memory is contested like everything else in my family now.
She made a rich concoction that went by the name of giblet gravy. A popcorn popper that had to be from the 1940’s kept the boiled eggs and the turkey parts hot. I would sneak a roll and dip it in making my favorite treat of the day.
We ate early with the men going first, then the children before the women. They always made a big deal of how the children use to stay outside until they were fed last.
After we finished, the men and boys would slip outside for the adults to smoke before shaking the pecan trees.
My younger uncles would climb into the hundred year old trees and jump up and down sending the nuts to the ground like sheets of rain.
We would be rewarded for the tow sack bags full of nuts with coconut cake and boiled custard. There were always jokes about how our custard was never spiked with whiskey,
I’m the black sheep now. I left the family church, even though I’m still a Baptist and a deacon, it’s not really good enough. My cousins are distant. My politics have them questioning my faith. It’s not what my grandparents would have wanted.
As a teen and young adult we spent Thanksgiving at my Aunt's house. I remember her house smelling delicious, the table all set waiting for us, anticipation of the upcoming season, and lots of laughter. My Aunt is gone now and cousins moved away. I cherish those memories and am grateful it was part of my upbringing. I struggle to feel the magic and wonder if it's just part of getting older? My husband and I have hosted his side of the family for years and I hope I am making memories for the younger generation that they will look back on as fondly as I do. Happy Thanksgiving friends!!
On our first Thanksgiving in a brand-new house the brand-new stove decided that was the day it wouldn't work. *sigh*
Steamed cranberry pudding with hard sauce. More of a very heavy cake, but enjoyed by all.
Trying to think of some strange ones. Maybe those have been lost.
Though Christmas Eve is and always will be rice porridge. Anyone marrying into the family was REQUIRED to become accustomed to that one. It is served with a bit of cream, a dollop of butter and sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. Very Norwegian and is risengrod.
Hope you have a wonderful day!