Question for November OH Member Newsletter

We always had Thanksgiving with lots of family around, sitting at long tables made from doors placed on supports, covered with Grandmother's table cloths, and lit tapers for decorations. Mom insisted that there were always whole midget sweet pickles and black olives on the table, and she got up at the crack of dawn to stuff the bird. We'd wake to the smell of turkey roasting and have a wonderful breakfast of bacon and eggs and toast together before the relatives arrived about noon. The women were in the kitchen peeling potatoes and cooking up a storm, with fresh baked pies someone brought, and homemade dinner rolls with real butter. No margarine was allowed. We'd all gather around the table and say grace before our meal, with heads bowed, and the expectation of a hearty, delicious meal. All dressed up, no detail spared, it was a time of gracious living and manners. And the memories come back every year to savor once again.

The smells of the roasting turkey starting to drift through the house soon after breakfast.  Gathering around the table to break up bread for the stuffing and prepare the side dishes.  Chattering with family, knowing that there was always room for more to share the bounty of the day. 

While the turkey roasted, watching the Macy's parade or playing card games with the family, shifting games and partners for the games as more relatives arrived.  Then of course the leftover turkey for days on end, so many ways to use turkey in a meal.  One of the last leftover turkey meals was the turkey soup, made with veggies from our own garden, taken out of storage in the basement.

The first one would be when my son was born, he was 2 months old at his first Thanksgiving, and the second one would be a few years ago, hubby and I got married the day before.

Shirley

We used Thanksgiving and Christmas as family reunions. So when I was thirteen I decided to make a homemade sweet potato pie. Took it to my grandparents where we all gather and my diabetic grandfather stole the entire pie and ate it in the garage to keep from getting caught.

The next time I made a whole pie for him with artificial sugar and another one with regular sugar for everyone else. He stole both pies and ate them both in the garage.

So from then on I made everything with artificial sugar!

My favorite memory of Thanksgiving is years ago when I was around the age of 14 my family gathered around my grandmothers house. My grandmother had 10 children so you can imagine how many grandchildren she had.  Her house  smelled so delightful and we all visited with each other while the women cooked in the kitchen and the men sat on the front porch talking about hunting or whatever. The children were scattered all over the place playing. Everyone waited patiently for other family to arrive and around noon everyone scooted into the kitchen as much as possible. There was only room for around twelve people at the table. My cousin Larry  who was around 12 at the time, was one of the lucky ones to have a spot at the table. My grandmother, in all her wisdom decided to ask Larry to say grace. Everyone bowed their head and waited to him to start. Well after a moment he began to speak. " Rub-a dub-dub thanks for the grub" came out his mouth. You can imagine the shock on our faces. My grandmother was so mad that she hit him upside the head with her cane. We all laughed and then my uncle said grace and then we ate. I will always miss Thanksgiving with my Grandma but I will have many memories of wonderful times spent with her and my family. I hope all of you cherish even the not so graceful moments of the holidays...Sherri

 My fondest memory is the first time it was my turn to host the dinner! I was only 25. All my life my grandmother had been the queen host of Thanksgiving. After grandma died, the torch of tradition was passed on to my mother and it was her turn. But when my mother had health problems and a surgery  we wanted her to be able to relax and heal. The torch was passed on to ME earlier than I ever expected! It was awesome to have everyone I loved over at my house and around my table. I wasn't super experienced at cooking and I was just proud that we pulled it off.  It was just a huge milestone in my life the first time it was my turn to host the big family gathering.  It stands out in my memory somehow, just like the day I first got my drivers license. I felt like I had arrived at a place I had waited a long time to experience. I know I was 25 but I will go ahead and say it, I felt so grown up. LOL.

Every Thanksgiving that I can remember are my favorite memories. The family and friends, the smells, the food, the football. Love it all.

Thanksgiving in my family is the most joyous occassion. I have 3 sisters and last year was my first Thanksgiving  post op. I had lost 35 lbs in a months time. My oldest sister set with me and made sure that I  ate and got all my protein in. We made videos, sing songs and danced. My 90 year old Dad was so happy tosee us having a good time. I felt so good  and was able to have fun with my family. This year I got a real WOW moment 125  lbs.lighter.That's my HAPPY THANKSGIVING 

My new best memory of thanksgiving was last year less than one month out from my gastric (10-22-09) bypass, I prepared a complete thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings, including homemade pumpkin and cream cheese pies as desert for my entire family. I had my head on so straight I didn't feel the least bit deprived and for that I was very thankful.

My fav has always been after eating we all look at the big newspaper with all the ads for the day after Thanksgiving sales. I look over it and hope there isn't anything I have to get up early for.  But there usually is and I get up around 3 or 4 with a couple of kids of mine and we go.  It's fun though.  When we're done shopping we go out  to breakfast.  This year eating will definitely be different.  Kind of depressed about that.