Thanks to Linda at 2nd Cup of Coffee for this holiday Random Dozen.
1.Are you sticking to traditional Thanksgiving foods this year, or are you being culinary adventurous? I am fortunate enough to have a brother-in-law that – although he doesn’t have a culinary degree – he should very much have the honor of being called a “Master Chef”. He makes our Thanksgiving memorable with his traditional dishes and a modern twist of Cajun Fried Turkey ~ everyone’s favorite! I will be bringing Pumpkin Dump Cake and Artichoke Dip…another twist on the traditional.
2. Tell me something concrete that you’re thankful for. (Something you can literally touch, see, etc., not a concept like “hope.”) I am thankful for my new Fiskar’s Deluxe Paper Trimmer. The one I have had for 14 years FINALLY gave up. It is amazing how much more efficient a new tool can be when scrapbooking to my heart’s content.I am also thankful that Hobby Lobby had a 40% off sale on them and there was one left with my name on it!
3. You knew the flip side was coming: Share about something intangible that you’re thankful for. I am thankful for a husband that ~ even though he swears he is NEVER going to do it again ~ straightens out my side of the covers before I come to bed at night.
4. Share one vivid Thanksgiving memory. It doesn’t have to be deep or meaningful, just something that remains etched in your memory. The last Thanksgiving that my father-in-law was with us. I will always remember him saying that I was like a daughter to him. This coming from a man of few words was like manna from heaven for me. I miss him.
5. What is one thing that you know beyond a shadow of a doubt is going to happen this Thanksgiving because it always does, year after year? I eat too much.
6. Do your pets get any left-overs? Only the left-overs from our left-overs.
7.Does your family pray before the big meal? Who does the praying? My brother-in-law offers up a spontaneous prayer while we all stand in the kitchen waiting for that Amen Let’s Eat!!!!
8. Will you be watching football in the afternoon? If not, what will you be doing? Nope. Most likely supervising the kids on the trampoline/the jump house/golf cart. And after that….taking a nap!!!
9. There are two distinct camps of people on this issue: How do you feel about oysters in the dressing/stuffing? EEEEEWWWWWWWW!!!
10. Do you consider yourself informed about the first Thanksgiving? Yes. Here is a quote from Barbara Rainey that I like from the book Moments with You:
“I like the contented way the Pilgrims approached life. They did not allow their feelings or circumstances to determine whether or not they would exercise gratitude and thanksgiving. They believed that God was in control – “providence” they called it. Following this belief to its logical conclusion, they responded to challenges with a perspective3 that said, “God has allowed this for good.” They chose to believe – rightly so – that their dependence on a holy, faithful God was well placed and that even though much was against them, there was always much more for which to be grateful.”
11. Which variety of pie will you be enjoying? None. I have been forever spoiled by my mother’s pies. She makes the most awesome apple/pumpkin/cherry pies!!! No other pies measure up so I will be content to eat my Pumpkin Dump Cake.
12. Do you feel for the turkey?? (This is a humorous throw back question related to the 12th question in another Random Dozen!) That would be a no.
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Happy Thanksgiving! I enjoyed reading your answers very much. And I’d LOVE to have you write out that Pumpkin Dump Cake recipe for us, or link us to a post if you’ve put it on here before and I missed it. I LOVE pumpkin!!
1. Our meal -pretty traditional, just a new twist on one pie I made -apple-cranberry.
2. My computer -I’d be totally lost without it.
3. My grandchildren -the absolute best ever!
4. Thanksgiving 1979 -a month after my Mom’s death and the first year my kids and I had Thanksgiving Dinner with my Dad’s side of the family. It was also the last holiday I was able to spend with my Dad’s brother too -also began a tradition for my kids and me, to share our Thanksgiving (and Christmas too) meals at my youngest Aunt’s home until 2005 -the last year she was able to live in the family homestead. So now, my kids, grandkids and I have to build a new tradition to replace that one.
5. I fall asleep after eating.
6. Pets get food only if it falls on the floor and they get to it before I can get it away from them.
7. Always used to have Grace at my aunts, usually do when everyone is here but today, too much confusion I think with the two little ones and it was forgotten.
8. Mandy and I put the food away, cleaned up the dishes and stuff and then, I crashed and slept! I used to watch football when I could but wouldn’t have been able to do that today as the son-in-law had commandeered the tv and had the stinking, boring SPEED channel -cars and such -tuned in!
9. Never had anything but regular stuffing although I’d love to try oysters or cornbread and sausage stuffing sometime.
10. I’ve read several things about the first Thanksgivings -many that are a lot different from what we were taught in school -but I think I prefer to regard the holiday with the regular folklure version.
11. I made 2 pumpkin pies, a regular apple and an apple-cranberry -which was a newbie for the family this year.
12. I’m a very unsentimental person when it comes to eating meats and poultry -heck, I even eat venison and have enjoyed rabbit and squirrel a time or two when I was growing up. Of course, I might think differently if I had those animals growing under my care and then they were slaughtered for food, but I think I’d still manage to chow down later anyway.
So, there ya go Danielle! Hope you had a very Happy Thanksgiving!
1. The meal is traditional, but I did make a Key Lime Pie for dessert.
2. My Nikon D60 camera
3. I am thankful for my family and the fun we can have together
4. In the 24 years we’ve been married, my hubs parents came to our house only once for Thanksgiving. My FIL declared after dinner, ‘not bad.’ I was thrilled.
5. We will have way too many leftovers
6. No, we don’t share with the furkins
7. We don’t pray before meals
8. We had a game on, but I don’t think anyone was paying too much attention. Mostly we sat around like lumps, stuffed with too much food.
9. No oysters!
10. Through my grandfather’s genealogical research, I know that a direct ancestor (Richard Warren) was at the first Thanksgiving.
11. Apple and Key Lime
12. Not even a little
This was fun. Thanks for sharing.