Friday, October 5, 2012

Thanksgiving Prep





This is Canadian Thanksgiving weekend.  Monday is a statutory holiday for us (yeahhhhh!); and on Sunday, millions of us will sit with friends and family for a huge feast.  

I prepare much the same food at Thanksgiving that I do at Christmas; but I enjoy the Thanksgiving meal more.  Perhaps it's just because I haven't had turkey and stuffing since last December.  But I think it's also because "giving thanks" is the focus of the entire holiday weekend.  I love Xmas, don't get me wrong.  But isn't it lovely to have one day that just revolves on thanking God for the blessings in our lives.  

I shall thank God for my wonderful family -- the ones here and the ones absent -- for my health, my home, my job and for His presence and His provision in  my life.  And of course, for my friends ..... some of whom will be gathered round my own groaning table!   

Some of my more intimate Canadian friends who will, I'm sure, be thanking God for the invite to this Sunday's festivities!


We'll enjoy roast turkey with bread/cranberry/apple stuffing, homemade cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, carrots, turnips, squash, and lashings and lashings of gorgeous gravy!


I made the mistake of asking my little Asian daughters what I should make for dessert, all the while envisioning pumpkin or apple pie.  

"Cheesecake" was their immediate and unanimous reply.  They know what they like.

So, I'm making chocolate/pumpkin cheesecake squares (which should resemble Martha's above).  

I'll also thank God for my Saturday morning job at the Farmer's Market.  AND I'll say goodbye to these new friends until spring of 2013.  Tomorrow is our last market day as the dwindling harvest, our meeting outdoors and Nova Scotia's increasingly cold and damp days are all encouraging us to pack up for the season.  It will be bittersweet.  But there'll be no more rushing off at 7:20 am.  I anticipate sweet Saturdays of lingering tea and newspapers and quiet mornings alone.  And perhaps I'll finally get caught up on those little extras I've been meaning to get done.


I'm loving October.  There are times that I drive home from work and I'm gob-smacked (as they say on Coronation Street) at the splendor of some of the trees.  Yesterday we had brilliant sunshine; driving next to the river with a riot of gold, red, orange and brown on the other side was spectacular.  



 If you're celebrating Thanksgiving this weekend, what's on your menu?  Are you trying anything new?  

And as I anticipate the very unholy gluttony which will take place across the country, I leave you with this:


May your stuffing be tasty, may your turkey be plump.
May your potatoes and gravy have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious and your pies take the prize.
And may your Thanksgiving dinner stay off your thighs!
- Author unknown



10 comments:

Pamela Gordon said...

You have a very interesting and 'famous' looking family gathered at your table. LOL We are having dinner tomorrow with our son and his girlfriend and it will be turkey with the trimmings but no pumpkin pie. Son says he'll bring a pie (store bought) as his offering for the meal which is fine with me. :) Enjoy your weekend and your last market morning. Happy Thanksgiving!

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Happy Canadian Thanksgivin' to you darlin'.

This is soooo funny, I had no clue but after a day in the eighties yesterday we're experiencin' our first cold snap today and I felt like cookin a 'Thanksgivin' dinner. Really, the turkey is in right now.

I'll have dressin', homemade hot rolls and tossed salad...no pie...its just the two of us tonight! Heeehehehe!

God bless ya and enjoy your celebration sweetie!!! :o)

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Oh, BTW...that's some 'crew' ya got hangin' 'round your table! :o)

Sandra@Beneath this Roof, Within these Walls said...

I am not celebrating Thanksgiving, and I am not Canadian, and I live nowhere near you, but may I join you for dinner, anyway?? That sounds so wonderfully delicious.

Sandy aka Doris the Great said...

Thanks everyone. Yup, I move with the in crowd!

And Sandra, please come for dinner!

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

I hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving! We'll be celebrating here next month. It's a rainy day but at least the leaves on the trees do give us some color.

B. WHITTINGTON said...

It's beginning to look a lot like fall here in Ohio with the trees ablaze with color.
Your dinner sounds scrumptious. WE'll have our Thanksgiving next month and like you I enjoy it more than Christmas - there's more of a family spirit and less of a materialistic air about the whole holiday.
Blessings! Enjoy your day with family.

Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe said...

Our trees will start to change in mid October and, as you know, our Thanksgiving will be in November. I, also, love this holiday more because it is more about family and friendships rather than things.

I know you will have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Hope you get someone else to do the dishes.

Linda said...

Happy Thanksgiving, Sandy. Have a great relaxing weekend! Your menu sounds delicious...can't wait for turkey day here next month.

Diana said...

Thanksgiving just so happens to be my favorite holiday! I hope you have a wonderful one Sandy. Many blessings to you and your's!
Love Di ♥

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