Twas the Night before … Thanksgiving!

 

Me and Jordan, thanksgiving 2022

The family is still scattered, but all headed our way. There’s a great break in tradition this year—for the first time one of the grandchildren will not be present when the whole family gathers. Madison, the oldest, has to work. We will miss her and her boyfriend Trevor, but I am sure it is an omen of times to come. We had them all for twenty-two years, and kids do grow up and move on.

Meantime, busy schedules and rainy weather combined to slow some of travelers, but we will gather in full force tomorrow or turkey and all the trimmings. Meantime, much of the “prep” work for the big meal is done. Some time ago, Jordan announced she would make two cheeseballs—one for Thanksgiving and one for Christmas. Then she announced she would make them in my cottage. So yesterday was the day—a day I planned to work on the outline of what I’m calling Irene in Texas for lack of a better title.

When the time came, Jordan was called away by a domestic crisis—someone had decorated Jacob’s fan with ketchup, mustard, and just a bit of mayo. Christian said it smelled like What-a-Burger! Jacob had to wash it in the driveway and then take it to a car wash for a final cleansing. Jordan felt obligated to get the clean-up started.

So I found myself cutting up  cream cheese—a messy proposition if there ever was one—and Velveeta and dumping blue cheese in a bowl. Bless Jordan—she arrived in time to chop onion, pecans, and parsley. And she did the mixing, which was part of the process I dreaded. We truly proved that many hands make light work.

Tonight granddaughter Morgan is making the dough for my mother’s rolls. I have offered to answer any questions, but her only one was what the word scant means. I’m so delighted that she’s such a natural cook, and my children will be delighted that they once again have Grandmother’s rolls. Shhh—Morgan added some spices. We’ll see what’s said.

We’ll enjoy the traditional dinner tomorrow and a brisket supper Friday. On Saturday, everyone will scatter for their homes, so please don’t look for a blog until then. Know however, that I wish each and everyone of you a blessed holiday. Among the many gratitudes in my life I am grateful for each of the many of you who read my blog and comment on it. I am grateful for your opinions and knowledge, and you make me feel that my little musings are sometimes worthwhile.

Happy thanksgiving. No matter what trouble us, I bet each of us can find things in our life to be grateful for. I know I have a long list.

For contrast, Thanksgiving 2012
What ten years hath wrought

The long holiday weekend looms

Can you believe it’s July already? We had such good, cool rain last night that it’s even harder to believe than usual. Still, the spring has gone by in a rush, which is at best a mixed blessing.

I got to wondering today why the word “looms” always jumps into my mind when I think about a long holiday weekend, and I realized it’s because when my kids got old enough to be independent, they went off and did their own thing for the holiday. I was used to a bustling household full of activity, and suddenly I had not just a weekend but a long weekend with no action at home. I used to get lonely and bored. I finally learned to counteract that by planning a lot of activities for me—Concerts in the Garden, meals out with friends, meals in with friends.

Jordan started early last week reminding me that I should make weekend plans. And I did.  Subie took me to Central Market today, which was a real treat. I had a medium-long list. We decided to take the wheelchair, because all the aisles of Central Market would be a long walk for me. We shopped the way Jordan and I do—grocery basket in my lap. First things we bought were two large cantaloupes, and as the basket got heavier, Subie joked I’d have bruises on my legs. I told her no, creases from the ridges on the bottom of the basket.

Central Market makes me feel luxurious, or pampered. I buy things I wouldn’t buy elsewhere. I love the fresh fruit and vegetables and have more confidence in them than in most stores. I didn’t buy meat or seafood today, but I never buy it anywhere else, especially in this day when chicken goes who-knows-where to be processed. Subie bought amazingly large and beautiful shrimp. My shopping list included creamy blue cheese (I found one that should do), pickled herring, lox—things I couldn’t get elsewhere.

We went home to pick up Phil, Subie’s husband, and head to lunch. An unpleasant experience: we went to the new Bread Winners in University Village, but when the young hostesses saw Phil’s seeing-eye dog, they said the dog couldn’t come in. Subie explained he’s a service dog, but they said some gobbledygook about corporate rules and it wasn’t their fault. Subie and Phil asked to talk to a manager, and one of the girls came back to report they had been wrong and the dog was welcome. We left anyway, probably won’t go back. Good lunch at Pacific Table.

My long weekend was further brightened when friends Sue and Teddy came for happy hour. We’ve been talking about mushrooms on toast for a while—my mom served that, and I think it’s a British dish. I said tonight was finally time for mushrooms, so for an appetizer, I served mushrooms sautéed in butter—nothing else, no salt or pepper even—and baguette slices. Just put the skillet on the table, so we could help ourselves. Really good but quite rich.

Lively conversation, but as they were getting ready to leave I asked Teddy to walk with me. Although he doesn’t practice now, he’s a chiropractor and knowledgeable about the mechanics of the body. I thought he’d be a good judge of how I’m doing walking. Big boost to my ego—they were both surprised and impressed at how I’m doing. (I was holding Teddy’s arm the whole time.)

So now I’m back to work. Finished the book I was reading, sent off an important email, and am ready to dig into another project. The weekend somehow doesn’t seem to loom so much tonight.

Reflections on the blessing of the season

I'm just back from two days in Frisco with my younger son, Jamie, his wife, Melanie, two granddaughters, Maddie and Eden, and Mel's parents and brother. I've spent holidays with them before and am grateful for the warm hospitality I feel. Jordan arranged a meeting spot on the road where they could hand me from their car to Jamie's (my kids take good care of me) but it was later than we expected. Jamie's family had already eaten, so he and I went to his favorite pizza restaurant--and it is really good. When you have four children, their spouses, and seven grandchildren, time alone with one child is a real blessing and I reveled in his company, hearing about his work, and his lessons on how to use my new 5s iPhone--that was to be a theme of our time together.
Thanksgiving Day was lovely and calm. We watched the Macy's parade and then the National Dog Show, which I loved. Mel had prepped for days because she didn't want to spend all day on her feet, and we had a lovely meal of turkey, ham, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, dressing and coconut pie. After we cleaned up from a late lunch or early dinner, everybody went to the movies--except me. I didn't want to spend my holiday watching either Gravity or Hunger Games II. I read (Wrong Girl, by Hank Phllippi Ryan) and napped, kept company by a wonderful chocolate lab and an itty bitty Morkie who has finally decided she'll let me love on her.
Today was more of the same--hanging out, visiting, checking Facebook, and readings--I'm hooked on the book). Jordan and family arrived about one, adding  one more child and two dogs to the mix. Jacob had a lively game of football catch with his oldest cousin, Maddie. It was after three before we finally left for home and four-thirty before I got home--side trip to Central Market (wish I'd had my list for tomorrow with me!).
Sophie was overjoyed to see us, and frankly I was pretty happy to see her. I hated to leave her for two days, but she survived just fine. She seemed more interested in Jordan than me (not unusual) but we both smelled of other dogs. We quickly settled back into routine and had a fierce game of tug of war tonight--followed by fetch when she finally let go. That dog has obviously wormed her way into my heart--though when I said I'd thought about asking if I could bring her to Frisco, there were horrified cries of "No!" "She's too hyper!" Why does everyone always think my sweet, loving dogs are hyper?
Came home tonight to things that cheered me--a lovely, thoughtful note and gift from my former tenant and longtime friend, Elizabeth. And neighbors Jay and Susan had decked my deck with lights. I am so grateful to be surrounded by people who are so thoughtful.
And after days of being dependent, asking Jamie about this, that and the other on my phone, I was most proud that I figured out my data plan and bill by myself--upped the number of data minutes. And the stuck door that I called Jay and told him would need "brute strength"? I figured out a shot of WD40 and medium strength would do it--and it did. Feeling very self-sufficient.
It's been a good holiday, and I may milk it all weekend and not get down to serious work until Monday. Meantime, I'm most thankful for family and friends, especially those of you I only know through the net. God bless.