
Turkey ... Stuffing ... Cranberry Sauce ... Pumpkin Pie
This is usually what comes to mind when we think of Thanksgiving. Granted the food is yummy and worth waiting for however, let's not forget another import aspect of this holiday "Being With Family & Friends".
Family & Friends, they are what make this wonderful holiday so special, and help create those special memories.
Memories .... Everyone has them and each is precious. I love being with my husband and two beautiful daughters, but I think my favorite remembrances are from long ago.
"Nana's House"
This of course was my beloved grandmother, who has been gone from us for many years, but will always be remembered with so much love.
Thanksgiving at her home was the best.
Our family is not very big but with the sisters, husbands and cousins it seemed like an army. My sister and I looked forward to spending the day with our cousins; we always had so much fun.
Of course the very best part of the day was when nana declared "Time To Eat". The first order of business was getting seated at the "kids" table. Nothing special, just a couple of card tables put together with a paper tablecloth -we were a bit messy - put over them.
Then came the food, makes my mouth water now just thinking about it. Please forgive me if I tend to sound just a bit prejudice - everyone's grandmother is a great cook after all - but in my mind no one could cook like my "Nana".
The amount of food was horrendous, as I said there where not that many of us but you'd think the entire town was there by the number of dishes on the table.
Everyone had their favorites, mine was the turkey & stuffing - I always had a drumstick, and my little sis was a wing girl - although everything else was good, except maybe the veggies.
After the main course came dessert - yummy - which consisted of the usual pumpkin pie, apple pie and rhubarb - that was for my mom - plus one of nana's specialties "Apple Dumplings". These were hot from the oven with a lemon sauce poured over the top. No one has been able to duplicate the recipe, although one of my cousins - you know who you are - has given it a valiant try.
Now you may think this was the end of our eating for the day, wrong. After dinner was complete, while the grownups were cleaning up and then taking a rest - just their bodies, the talking was non-stop - we kids - weather permitting - were outside playing. A few hours later - not kidding - it was time for the famous turkey sandwiches and any other left over you might have a hankering for.
Of course as they say "All Good Things Must Come To An End", which meant it was time to leave.
After what seemed like an eternity of good-byes we piled into our cars and headed for home. Little sis & I always fell asleep on the way, thinking about our wonderful day, and dreaming about next year.
Today our family is scattered across the country and sadly we are missing some - although not in our hearts - but when possible we still get together.
But on those November 27th's when we're not able to we still keep our "Nana's" spirit alive with lots of great food, a tremendous amount of talking, and good fun.
So to all of you, no matter what your traditions maybe, enjoy the day, the food, but most of all your loved ones.
"Happy Thanksgiving"
From Savvy Home Decorating
This is a share ware article. Give this article away for free on your site, or include it as part of any paid package as long as the entire article is left intact including this notice.
Copyright © 2004 Bonnie Carrier.
About The Author
Bonnie P. Carrier is the creator of Savvy Home Decorating. She is the mother to two grown daughters and a very spoiled 4yr old Blue Merle Sheltie named Toby. Having been a homemaker for over 23yrs has provided years of experience in budget decorating and organization. Stop by Savvy Home Decorating - www.savvy-home-decorating.com - for ideas and tips on budget decorating:
bonnie@savvy-home-decorating.com
AP - A key panel unanimously recommended Thursday that Gov. Rod Blagojevich be impeached for abusing his power, mismanaging Illinois government and committing possible criminal acts.
AP - Vice President Dick Cheney said Thursday that he sees no reason for President George W. Bush to pre-emptively pardon anyone at the CIA involved in harsh interrogations of suspected terrorists. "I don't have any reason to believe that anybody in the agency did anything illegal," he said. In an interview with The Associated Press, Cheney also said that Bush has no need to apologize for not foreseeing the economic crisis.
AP - President-elect Barack Obama's proposed tax cuts ran into opposition Thursday from senators in his own party who said they wouldn't do much to stimulate the economy or create jobs. Senators from both parties agreed that Congress should do something to stimulate the economy. But Democratic senators emerging from a private meeting of the Senate Finance Committee criticized business and individual tax cuts in Obama's stimulus plan.
AP - The U.N. suspended food deliveries to Gaza and the Red Cross accused Israel of blocking medical assistance after forces fired on aid workers, killing two, as the threat of a wider conflict emerged with Lebanon.
AP - President-elect Barack Obama implored Congress on Thursday to "act boldly and act now" to fix an economy growing perilously weaker. Leading lawmakers set an informal goal of mid-February for enacting tax cuts and government spending that could cost as much as $1 trillion.
AP - The many Bernard Madoff investors who withdrew money from their accounts over the years are now wrestling with an ethical and legal quandary.
AP - In grainy cell-phone videos played over and over on the Internet, police officers force an unarmed black man to the ground and hold him face-down on a crowded train platform. Suddenly one of the officers draws his gun and fatally shoots the man in the back — then looks up.
AP - John Smoltz and Brad Penny are on their way to the Red Sox. Rocco Baldelli was already in Boston, holding up his new jersey.
Reuters - Recovery teams ventured into battlegrounds of the Gaza Strip on Thursday to gather bodies from the rubble, and Hamas officials said the Palestinian toll in Israel's 13 day-old offensive rose to 765 dead.
Reuters - President-elect Barack Obama warned on Thursday that the U.S. economy could stay mired in recession for years without bold action and he urged lawmakers to work day and night to pass a massive stimulus plan.
Reuters - Financial giant Citigroup Inc has agreed to support a rewrite of bankruptcy law being proposed in the U.S. Congress to help troubled mortgage borrowers avoid foreclosure, lawmakers said on Thursday.
Reuters - President-elect Barack Obama named Tim Kaine as head of the Democratic Party on Thursday, rewarding an early supporter with a high-profile political post even as he continues to serve as Virginia governor.
Reuters - Wal-Mart Stores Inc and other top U.S. retailers delivered disappointing December same-store sales and profit warnings on Thursday, sparking fresh recession concerns that hit stock and currency markets.
Reuters - Accused swindler Bernard Madoff had signed checks totaling more than $173 million in his office desk ready to be sent out before his arrest, U.S. prosecutors said in court papers on Thursday asking a judge to jail him.
Reuters - Europe on Friday looked for a swift restoration of gas supplies, after striking a deal with Moscow on monitoring gas shipments via Ukraine that have been halted by a rancorous pricing dispute with Kiev.
AFP - Diplomatic efforts to end the Gaza conflict intensified Friday with Western and Arab diplomats agreeing to call for an immediate ceasefire as the death toll from the two-week-old war rose past 760.
AFP - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin agreed Thursday on the terms for the deployment of gas monitors in Ukraine, paving the way for an end to a Europe-wide energy crisis, the EU presidency said.
The holiday season is a wonderful opportunity to allow your children to... Read More
It's time once again for the dreaded New Year's Resolutions. Most of... Read More
Have the holidays become too commercial for you? Are you feeling empty... Read More
Anniversary parties are a wonderful way to celebrate two people who have... Read More
It's the holiday season, and the first thing that comes to so... Read More
Do you know someone who is absolutely crazy about polar bears? Choosing... Read More
When Archduke Maximillian of Austria bestowed a diamond ring on Mary of... Read More
The carving. The leftovers. The endless stuffing. Actually, you love the stuffing,... Read More
Today one of my clients is throwing one of her good friends... Read More
I casually glanced down at my hand, but instead of a wedding... Read More
Christmas is always the time of year we consider to be the... Read More
Not everyone shares in the celebration and joy associated with the holidays.... Read More
This is my daughter's first Christmas. Naomi will be nearly nine months... Read More
This holiday season don't be trendy ? avoid the Seasonal Seven (the... Read More
So you ate, drank and spent too much over the Holidays. Now... Read More
Although it is now more decades away than I care to admit... Read More
You can consider free ecards as being the same thing as normally... Read More
Thanksgiving is the time of year when we stop and are thankful... Read More
Happy New Year! Around the world, this is a time of renewal,... Read More
Make these quick and easy crafts with your children for Mother's day.... Read More
When I think of Valentines Day I think of Chocolates and Flowers.... Read More
Decorating for the holidays can be both expensive and emotionally draining. But... Read More
The majority of people find themselves carrying additional fat once the holidays... Read More
As the countdown to Christmas day continues, most everyone is naturally all... Read More
So Christmas is a few months away. Seems like a lot of... Read More
Like many people, I love the idea of making a large assortment... Read More
Choosing a dolphin lover gift may not be as easy as it... Read More
If you were asked to name 10 reasons why you vacationed in... Read More
Christmas dinner probably the most elaborate and complex dinners you will have... Read More
Close your eyes and remember December, the smell of cinnamon in your... Read More
A free Christian ecard is comprised of inspirational quotes, musical greetings, messages... Read More
Gift Baskets are an ideal gift for nearly any occasion. Gift baskets... Read More
Chinese New Year/Lunar New Year (January/February)It is usually in the winter of... Read More
It is holidays time, and you've the money and you want to... Read More
With Mother's Day approaching fast, it's time to begin thinking about how... Read More
Twentieth through the twenty-fourth anniversaries traditional gift is china. Vintage china tea... Read More
I remember vividly as if it were yesterday when I was only... Read More
Depending on the age of your little ones, you may want to... Read More
As a personal growth specialist, I like to think I'm hip. I... Read More
What a great time of year! It's a time to be thankful... Read More
One of the tools I use as a professional organizer are countdowns.What... Read More
Wonderfully simple to do and oh so impressive!You don't need a $40... Read More
Ever wondered how February 14 became, the day on which we celebrate... Read More
Ah, the beginning of a New Year. A time to reflect and... Read More
In theory Christmas is a time that is filled with joy and... Read More
At the end of the movie "Braveheart," William Wallace is tortured but... Read More
It's not only the candy that puts smiles on kids' faces on... Read More
Every year I watch as advertisers begin to promote their products for... Read More
No matter what celebration you and your family will rejoice in this... Read More
This time of the year is supposed to be happy. A time... Read More
Do you know what you are giving to the children on you... Read More
Do November's Thanksgiving experiences have you dreading the December holidays? The idea... Read More
Valentine's Day is often synonymous with lush velvety looking red roses and... Read More
It's a fact; most of us feel immediately stressed and harassed at... Read More
The holidays are upon us and for many people this is the... Read More
How to develop and heighten rapport on Valentines Day beyond your wildest... Read More
I casually glanced down at my hand, but instead of a wedding... Read More
Memorial Day is a day for remembering those who have laid their... Read More
The Christmas tree is a much loved symbol iinstantly calling up images... Read More
Do you feel panicked, or exicted? Are you experiencing joy or depression?... Read More
Have you ever thought what you would do without your Grandmom ?... Read More
Abraham Lincoln said ? "All that I am, or hope to be,... Read More
Happy New Year! Around the world, this is a time of renewal,... Read More
In theory Christmas is a time that is filled with joy and... Read More
Holidays are here and so is the spirit of partying. Here are... Read More
Ho, Ho, Ho, Holiday greetings to you!Every year at this time I... Read More
Choosing gifts for any animal lovers can be quite a pleasure, as... Read More
Well, it's almost that time of year again ? the holiday shopping... Read More
In a word, yes !Labor Day, which started in 1882 to honor... Read More
Easter 2005 is coming, Sunday March 27, and Christians worldwide are warming... Read More
Easter marks the start of spring and is a sacred holiday for... Read More
Usually, the hardest part about Halloween is finding the perfect costume and... Read More
Things have come a long way since a Christmas ornament was likely... Read More
The holidays will be here before you know it. Clear the way... Read More
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas and the clock is... Read More
Here it is Thursday afternoon, and Evelyn sees no break in her... Read More
When Archduke Maximillian of Austria bestowed a diamond ring on Mary of... Read More
When searching for Angel Costumes, there are so many choices online, so... Read More
It is widely known that many men enjoy fine jewelry. So, why... Read More
This holiday season don't be trendy ? avoid the Seasonal Seven (the... Read More
No matter how old we are, we enjoy being remembered on that... Read More
Regardless of age, almost everyone can remember at least a few magic... Read More
Let's take a look at a typical Christmas To-Do list: bake cookies,... Read More
Ah, the beginning of a New Year. A time to reflect and... Read More
The majority of people find themselves carrying additional fat once the holidays... Read More
John Grisham wrote a book called SKIPPING CHRISTMAS. Amazon.com reports: "John Grisham... Read More
Valentine's Day is just around the corner which of course makes us... Read More
1. Knowledge is Power. Whatever the area of collecting ? depression glass,... Read More
While most children's birthday parties are held at home, you may want... Read More
So you know someone who likes to "veg out" in front of... Read More
Now that the biggest shopping season of the year is in full... Read More
"It is therefore recommended ... to set apart Thursday the eighteenth day... Read More
Some of my clients dread the holiday season because it often represents... Read More
If your diet is making you a humbug this season, there's some... Read More
Holiday Holiday |