It feels like forever since the last time we had Thanksgiving at home. 2020 was the pandemic year, and while we had a larger than usual gathering, we held it at a park and catered the food. Of course the company was delightful, but it’s just not as relaxing sitting on metal picnic table benches. (Also, the food did not meet my expectations, sadly…)
Anyway this year we were able to return to our tradition of meeting at our home and cooking our family tradition recipes. The menu included Wild Rice with Mushrooms, Sweet Potato Casserole, 7 Layer Salad, Strawberry Jello with Strawberries and Whipped Cream, Green Bean Casserole, Dill Cheese Dip with Crackers, Fresh Veggies and Blue Cheese Dip, Spicy Jalapeno Cheesy Corn, Slow Roasted Turkey, Slow Roasted Ham, Garlic Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Stuffing, Cranberry Jelly (from the Can!), Pumpkin, Pecan and Cherry Pies, with Whipped Cream, and some delightful adult beverages as well as plenty of sodas for all. We had lots of room to spread out, with tables outside in the back yard as well as inside, and we needed it with 24 of our family in attendance: Laurent and Geneva, Megan, Andy and Patrick, Jon, Jadyn and Grandma from the East side, Jenna and Daniel from Texas, Ana and Mark, and 11 from our house.
We missed Oma being in her usual spot at the corner of the table, sitting on her walker seat, enjoying all the busyness and chatter of her grand children and great-grandchild, but we celebrated her birthday earlier in the week with her favorite, Banana Cream Pie.
All in all, it was one of the best Thanksgiving gatherings I can remember. What a blessed family we are to have each other!
