Happy Thanksgiving!!
I happen to like Thanksgiving. Always have. It’s a holiday for anyone and everyone in this country—except, of course, people who hate turkey. There are quite a few of those curmudgeonly folks, but I’m happy to report I’m not one of them. Even if the turkey ends up dry and overcooked, it’s nothing that a little gravy and cranberry sauce can’t fix. And although the turkey is the centerpiece, it’s the accompaniments that make the meal.
My theory on turkeys is that they’re like children: you coax them along and just do the best you can, but as long as you don’t utterly ruin or abuse them, they have their own innate characteristics that will manifest in the end. A dry and tough bird will be a dry and tough bird despite all that draping in fat-soaked cheesecloth, a tender and tasty one will withstand a certain amount of abuse.
One year my brother and I were cooking at my parents’ house and somehow we set the oven on “broil,” an error that was only discovered an hour before the turkey was due to be done. It was one of the best turkeys ever. Another time the turkey had turned deep bluish-purple on defrosting and was so hideous and dangerous-looking it had to be abandoned. Another terrible time, that has lived in infamy ever since, my mother decided turkey was passe and that we’d have steak on Thanksgiving.
Since I like to eat, I am drawn to the fact that Thanksgiving is a food-oriented holiday with a basic obligatory theme (turkey plus seasonal autumnal food) and almost infinite variations on that theme. Sweet potatoes? Absolutely—but oh, the myriad ways to make them, some revolting, some sublime. Pie? Of course, but what kind? And what to put on it, ice cream, whipped cream, or both?
For me, there are three traditional requirements—besides the turkey, of course. There has to be at least one pecan pie, although eating it in all its sickening sweetness can put an already-sated person right over the top. The cranberry sauce has to be made from fresh cranberries (it’s easy: cranberries, water, and sugar to taste, simmered on top of the stove till mushy and a bright deep red), and lots of it (it’s good on turkey sandwiches the next day, too).
The traditional stuffing in my family is non-traditional: a large quantity of cut-up Granny Smith apples cooked in fair amount of sherry as well as a ton of butter till a bit soft; and then mixed with prunes, almonds, and one Sara Lee poundcake reduced to crumbs by crushing with the hands.
Thanksgiving is one of the few holidays that has a theme that is vaguely religious—giving thanks—but has no specific religious affiliation. So it’s a holiday that unites. It’s one of the least commercial holidays as well, because it involves no presents. It’s a home-based holiday, which is good, too, except for those who don’t have relatives or friends to be with. One drawback is the terribly compressed travel time; I solve that by not usually traveling very far if I can possibly help it.
The main advantage to hosting the day is having leftovers left over. The main disadvantage to hosting the day is having leftovers left over.
This year I’m thankful for many things. The fact that I’m still alive and not too decrepit. Family and friends. America’s chance to take a deep breath and set itself on a better course, if we can.
I wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving Day, filled with friends and/or family of your choice, and just the right amount of leftovers!
[NOTE: This is a repeat of a previous post, somewhat edited.]
I am with you Neo. Thanksgiving is a great time. When I was a kid, every family member who could be there came to Grandmother’s for dinner, then the adults went to the traditional football game between the two largest high schools in town. The women dressed, like you just don’t see any more; some in fur coats, and all had corsages with their alma maters colors. That was a very long time ago.
Still great. Still a family time; without being overly commercialized–I don’t link Black Friday to Thanksgiving. This morning I went to a 5k race/walk with my daughter and granddaughters. I won’t say which option I exercised; but, it was great because the girls were home, and we were together. Grandson, the collegiate XC runner who really competes and often wins these events. was sick and hors de combat. (Mom also competes hard for age group honors) Hopefully, he will recover in time for turkey later.
Just a pure family day. Happy Thanksgiving.
Enjoy theday everyone!!!
I thank God for friends and family. I pray for our leaders (eye roll). As a Christian I must pray for the communists , sodomites and mohamedans. And I would be remiss if I did not thank God for our host: the
incomparable Neo.
That picture is offensive. There are no PoC, not everyone can have (or wants) turkey, and portrays women in an archaic way. The lily white of almost everything, from skin color to table cloth, is not representative of the America that is alive today. It is a narrow, idealistic view.
It does not take into factor the true history of colonial America and the Native Americans, who were killed by the white man and forced into their current living situations. It does not acknowledge the genocide of Native Americans and the wrongdoings of this country.
The current way Thanksgiving is celebrated is an insult.
/sarcasm
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. I hope you all have a warm house, a warm bed, warm food and some company today.
Two seasonal offerings via PowerLine
http://i2.wp.com/www.powerlineblog.com/ed-assets/2016/11/IMG_0221.jpg
http://i0.wp.com/www.powerlineblog.com/ed-assets/2016/11/IMG_0219.jpg
and a commenter at Dr. Schneiderman’s blog:
Trigger Warning said…
Thought for the day:
What if all you had today was what you remembered to thank God for yesterday?
— My Wife
November 24, 2016 at 6:51 AM
‘m at a slight disadvantage because I really don’t care for most of the traditional T’giving dishes — or for the unending dishes using leftover turkey. Too many carbs, and most of them are heinous when warmed over. And I’ve had too many awful Thanksgiving suppers when in service where I was invited — occasionally grudgingly. But the idea of a feast – yeah. Feeling gratitude for a bounteous harvest? Of course. Some years when it was just myself, I did a small and personal feast, of a tiny roasted chicken, some exotic veggies from the local expensive gourmet market and a little tartlet from their bakery to follow.
This year, the Daughter Unit and I are sharing a brined and roasted turkey breast, with sides of dressing made from pumpernickel bread, some roasted brussel sprouts, mashed potatoes and gravy – and a dash of lingonberry preserves from Ikea, whichreally tastes very much like cranberry sauce.
We start a huge, three-day-long market in Johnson City tomorrow, so this supper is really a bit of a break for us.
Sgt. Mom:
That sounds pretty yummy.
The dressing, gravy, and roasted sprouts were scrumptious, but I think that the brined turkey breast was a titch to salty. Eh – see how it comes out in various entrees made with leftover turkey. Thanksgiving really isn’t over until the last of the turkey is gone… 😉
Late to the party here.
I find that as I age, each day brings me more and more to be thankful for. I wish the same for our hostess and all commenters here.
Leg of lamb stuffed with garlic and green olives, mashed parsnips with buttermilk and thyme, wilted kake salad with pine nuts and cranberries, various handmade local cheeses, and broiled pears garnished with home made raspberry jam and dark chocolate. It was a tasty meal for 6 adults and 5 grandchildren. Breakfast will be leftovers.
Be of good cheer.
My Mom, who is in her eighties, did not feel up to a big Thanksgiving get together this year. So my girlfriend and I did a small dinner for her: A first course of fresh oysters. Roast duck with stuffing, braised cabbage, cranberry relish, mashed potatoes and gravy. Dessert was pecan pie with whipped cream (my girlfriend keeps it from being sugar shock sweet with a good shot of bourbon in the recipe).
With all that on the table, I had no problem finding things to give thanks for.
Ageing has some unexpected benefits, like finding yourself happy and gratuitously grateful for many small things previously taken as granted and not appreciated at all.
This April a miracle happened to me. Ambulance responding to emergency call has taken me into the only Moscow hospital from several dozen where they perform the kind of abdominal surgery capable to save my life. Usually ambulances are dispatched to the nearest hospital with free beds, which happened to me several times, so I know the routine, but this time was different and I was routed to the other side of a huge megapolis. After operation lasting 4 hours the surgeon talked to my wife, and she found him absolutely exhausted and barely capable to speak, but proud to having performed another medical miracle.
I think we all had more to be thankful for this Thanksgiving than we have had for a long, long time. Especially, the wisdom of the Founding Fathers.
Sergey:
Glad to hear that you survived and seem to be okay again!
Neo: Thank you!