Quote:
Originally Posted by graciegirl
Bare, the first year there were just the three of us and we were only in the house a couple of weeks and I picked up Bob Evans. It WAS JUST WONDERFUL, except for the Turkey which was thinly sliced and not the big "hunks" of moist meat that we are used to. BUT everything else was perfect, the dressing and mashed potatoes and the cranberry relish and the green beans and the pie. I think if we would use them, I would put one of those small turkey roasts in the oven.
Have to have leftovers for cold turkey sandwiches anyway.
But blessedly there will be people around out table and I will cook my heart out this year.
I feel so sad when people are eating out on Thanksgiving.
|
As per your last sentence, that's what happens when children grow up, get married, have children of their own.........and live all over the country and the world as a matter of fact. It happened to us, it happened to our neighbors who have children living in Europe, The Netherlands, the South Pacific..........coast to coast in the U.S.
Often these adult children have to oblige their spouses and "share" the holidays year to year with the spouse's family.......everyone understands this. So, some years one family gets them for Thanksgiving while the other family gets them for Christmas........sometimes they make plans to be with their friends and host their own holiday gatherings.
It happens.
Years ago, as we all recall, when people lived in the same town and even the same neighborhood, the holiday gatherings would be HUGE.
Not so anymore.
This year will be our last Thanksgiving in our home here.........unless the house doesn't sell. A possibility. We now let our two adult children have their own Christmas at home with their own families.......our daughter's kids are very active in their church nativity scene, etc., living manger with live animals, etc..........so we are happy to see them for a long Thanksgiving weekend here. We give them their Christmas gifts to tuck away to open in December. Our son usually honors his wife's desire to fly back to the west coast as her dad is elderly.......plus it's a closer flight for them with the two babies...........
Winter travel (after Thanksgiving) is always "iffy" up here anyway.......so we don't mind taking a "long winter's nap".
They've already had snow in Vermont on Mount Mansfield with flurries seen elsewhere.
All of our neighbors are in "the same boat" and over the years "some of our holidays" have just become quiet and intimate. Alone. This is where it's important to have married "your best friend"........I still cook for us.
But for those who are not inclined to cook..........may I suggest THE HONEY BAKED HAM COMPANY.......they also have whole roasted turkey that you just have to thaw and then warm in the oven for two hours.
All of their "sides" are good......as well as their pecan pie, coconut cake, etc., etc..........and their cornbread stuffing. Good for people NOT IN THE MOOD to cook for two or three.
H.B.H.'s spiral sliced ham is delicious; it was a great big hit at our two week family reunion vacation at the Maine seacoast.........easy serve. Great for impromptu sandwiches after spending the morning on the beach. Everything comes well packed and ice cold frozen.
Never have had a Thanksgiving dinner from a supermarket or other takeout type place..........but years ago our daughter told me her husband's siblings decided to do "takeout for Thanksgiving" as their elderly mom, in her 70's, was no longer able to lift the heavy pots and pans and roasters, so they ordered from the ACME SUPERMARKET.....anybody in N.J. or from N.J. would recall Acme. Well, the portions were SO TINY..........not enough food had been ordered. Not like home cooking at all.