Thanksgiving Memories

Thanksgiving morning, the kitchen is filled with scents of apples, bullion, onion and herbs.  My mother is set begin the Thanksgiving Day meal. My niece arrives, herald by a greeting bark from Mollie.  The preparations begin.  My niece MandiAnne apprentice, watching and learning how to make dressing from my mother.  She cuts two apples, two onions, and four celery stalks, adds boxed herbal bread crumbs, then bullion and shortening.  My mother tells her that our dressing distinctive flavor comes from adding summer savory.  MandiAnne laughs she finds it funny that no one in the family measure ingredients.

Then to the turkey, MandiAnne whispers "uncooked turkeys are gross." She is really freaked out by the turkey neck and giblets.  The cooking, mixing, chopping, baking continues with congenial ribbing.

I set the table for the family, memories of childhood Thanksgiving dinner come to mind.  Dinner at my grandmother house with cards tables lined up with the dinning room table through the kitchen and into the living room.  The children's table in the small front bedroom.  Aunts, uncles and cousins passing sliced turkey, mashed potatoes, grandpa's indian corn and more.  Then later when the families got larger, we shared Thanksgiving day dinner with my aunt Phyllis at the farm.  And when her family grew, we started having them at home.

My brother and nephew arrive.  I have built a fire in the living room.  Its flames curl around the wood, then scent of its smoke mixes with the scent of the baking turkey.

While waiting for the Turkey to cook, we all create paper sack turkeys.>

Zack & Curtis' turkey

Mom's & mine

 MandiAnne's.  All different.  Which do you think turned out the best?

Dinner was served.  Mom put together a delightful meal.  Turkey, dressing, potatoes, gravy, vegetables, cranberries and rolls were pasted.  Later pumpkin pie was served.  

Then those with in-laws and ex-in-law left to attend other gathering.  Those that stayed did dishes.....  dishes  ...  dishes,   and more dishes.  Kitchen and dishes clean.  Turkey and left overs in the frig....

We sit by the fire for a nap.  After all we all know that turkey makes one sleepy.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving day!

Snowy Afternoon Walk

Lazy snow flies as Mollie and I take an afternoon walk.  The road is no longer muddy, the mud has frozen. Mollie finds a stick, throwing up in the air she then chases it and throw it in the air again.  She is very talented at entertaining herself.

 Neighbors are heating their house with wood fires.  The scent of it fills the air and upon our return this scent clings to Mollie and I.

Tis the season

Yesterday,  my mother, niece and I had our picture taken with Santa at the mall.  Such a practical Santa, he said that he could not fulfill my wish for world piece, but he would have no problem putting a large Christmas bow on Mollie.

More Snow

A snowstorm came through last night and took out our power for a few hours right at dinner time.  The food was prepare, so we ate by candlelight.

Hibernating

As another weekend promises another snowstorm, I continue to hibernate and read finding warmth in books and with Mollie snuggled close.

More Blankets

The weather has gotten cold.  Time for more blankets to snuggle under, a few good books to read and Mollie at my side.

180 degrees

We woke to rain and snow this morning, a 180 degree turn from Monday's sun and 70 degree weather.  More snow is forecast for later this week.