Isn’t it funny what sticks in your head sometimes?
You’d think that holiday memories would be comprised of some really Martha Stewart moments of hearth and home. A beautiful 
centerpiece, an exquisite meal. Perfectly compatible relatives conversing in harmony at the table.
I don’t know about you, but my memories are more along the lines of Thanksgiving mayhem.
Pop by and share your favorite holiday craziness at the Mystery Lovers’ Kitchen blog today.
Most of my T-day memories revolve about food and family – we have a very small family, so not too much chaos – just a lot of fun & love :)
Happy Thanksgiving, Elizabeth. I am totally thankful for the life I have been given, but I am also thankful for you and how you have inspired me to write again in a more serious way.
Blessings
Teresa
My best memories usually involve something spilled, someone crying, and someone shouting “I win, I win!This game is OVAH!” Oh yes, and copious amounts of pumpkin pie–enough to have leftovers for midnight. I have one particular memory of an entire pumpkin pie disappearing. My brother, to this day, has not fessed up to the crime (but we all know the truth).
I LOVE Thanksgiving! Happy Thanksgiving to you!
Happy Thanksgiving.
Our family has been separated by distance so that we don’t have many Thanksgivings where we are all together. My most “relaxed” Thanksgivings (not counting the years we go out to eat because cooking for 2 just isn’t worth the trouble sometimes) was when my son-in-law came for his first Thanksgiving experience. Being British, he brought no expectations. I didn’t have anyone else’s recipes or any food memories to compete with. As far as he knew, I did everything the “right” way.
This year, DD is in town to visit her husband’s family who is here on a 1 week time-share vacation. We’re going for dinner, but not a traditional one, since DD’s MIL isn’t big on cooking and she’s not in her own kitchen with her own utensils, etc. I believe she’s opting for chicken breasts.
Guess I’ll buy a turkey tomorrow! You know what they say — if you want something done right, do it yourself.
Jemi–It sounds like you have a really well-behaved family, which is nice, too! That makes holidays so much easier and more fun.
Thanksgiving and ALL the major holidays I have such fond childhood memories of all the large family reunions we always had. Love those. The extended family is so large and scattered now it’s hard to pull us all together. But today we have a large gathering and I’m a very happy Old Silly
Happy Thanksgiving, Elizabeth!
Marvin D Wilson
I’ve a scattered family too and haven’t had a ‘traditional’ get together since I was sitting at the kiddy table (but it was beautiful). Most years its me and my husband and too much food. Last year I flew my brother out to Australia and we actually used the dining room! Even one extra family member can make you feel as though you’re truly feasting.
We have one very religious, you know, one who feels as though they are one with God and therefore can judge the rest of us. Unfortunately, the verse, “Get the tree out of your eye”, always pops into mind. So the tense moment today came when the talk turned to books, particularly Harry Potter books. Her comment was “That book is Demonic!” I think the rest of the family (there were 10 others) showed great restraint, there were only 3 seconds of silence and one comment made sarcastically, “You think, “, then the conversation continued into other areas. Even with dysfunctional moments, I wouldn’t trade these family gatherings for anything! They’re our roots!
Ours revolve around food, family and football. My husband and I were just talking about how quiet it was this year. My son is here, but not my daughter (she came home last weekend for her cousin’s wedding). We were saying that we need more family here.
Helen
Straight From Hel
Marvin–I’m glad you’ve got a big group of family together. Enjoy the day!
Teresa–I’m so glad…and thankful for you, too!
Carolina–Pumpkin pie! And a whole pie disappearing…that’s brutal! He did the right thing, though, not confessing to the crime. It’s not like there would be any evidence or anything. :)
Mason–To you, too!
Terry–I know what you mean. Sometimes you just have to go with tradition! I like the idea of having the son in law who didn’t know what to expect and didn’t have any favorite Thanksgiving traditions! That would make things really, really easy.
Helen–A couple of times we just couldn’t get out of town for the holiday and I cooked for just the four of us. The kids were not real excited about the experience. “Thanksgiving is supposed to be grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins!” said my son. I knew what he meant.
Lorel–I know just what you mean. When it’s just 2 people, it’s just not quite the same, is it? Thanksgiving is one of those holidays where it’s the more the merrier.
Judy–Oh, that’s a good one! Yes, I know exactly what you’re talking about. I think when you get enough people together that through the years, you’re *going* to have little explosions like that. The funny part is what happens afterward–the looks, the general ignoring of it, or the snickering. It really does make for some good stories afterward!
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