“An attitude of gratitude is a never-ending prayer.”
Today is a melange of posts from Coffee’s past. I remember and miss dearly my mother and father. These memories keep them close.
Happy Thanksgiving!
I wish you all a day filled with family and good friends. As you sit around the table enjoying a good meal and each other, think of all your gifts and blessings and give thanks.
I remember the smell of the kitchen while the turkey cooked. I used to sneak and open the oven to steal the crisp end of the stuffing hanging out of the turkey. I remember being shocked when I was a kid to find out the stuffing was not in the turkey’s head. The kitchen windows were steamed from the heat of the oven. All four stove burners had pots filled with vegetables. I especially remember one pot because I think my mother had it forever. The pot had a dent and a black spot on the side which never disappeared. It usually held the potatoes.
We watched the Macy’s parade while still in our pajamas. We noshed while we watched. I remember tangerines, M&M’s and mixed nuts in the shell served in a special bowl. The nutcracker was thick metal and looked a bit like scissors in having two sides. I always thought the walnuts were the hardest to crack. I liked the Brazil nuts but not the almonds. I’m still not a fan of almonds.
Befitting the occasion, we sat in the dining room. The table always looked lovely covered in a holiday tablecloth and set with special dishes. I can see my father at the head of the table eating his drumstick. He loved gravy and mashed potatoes. He loved the canned cranberry sauce. He loved asparagus right out of the can. My favorites were creamed onions and a special squash dish, a recipe from my aunt. The table groaned with dishes. Passing those filled dishes around the table took some maneuvering with the table so tightly packed with food.
My father ate quickly so he could get back to his football games. The rest of us sat at the table to finish eating. Soon enough, the table emptied, and my mother and I tag-teamed for the cleanup. I cleared the table, and she loaded the dishwasher, and we both cleaned the kitchen. After everything was cleared, we brought out the pies. The always pies were apple and lemon meringue. Sometimes they’d be blueberry, pumpkin or sweet potato. My father loved his apple pie with cheddar. That’s a New England thing. I had lemon meringue.
I am grateful today for so many things. I love my family and my friends who have become family. I hold my Coffee family close. We have never met but that’s no never mind. You don’t need to be related or even have met to be family. I am so thankful for the life I have been lucky enough to live. Today I’ll miss family and friends. It will be a quiet Thanksgiving. I’ll wear my turkey earrings, and I may even get dressed.
Explore posts in the same categories: Musings
November 24, 2022 at 10:48 am
My most memorable Thanksgiving was when I was 19. People who were there still mention it today and some still call me and ask for the recipes.
My cooking is the product of a Mother who lived in Germany and France after world war two and had a maid who was a college educated chef and as a matter of circumstances taught her.
An interesting factor in this anecdote was my being homeless at the time, living in a big discarded crate a half mile down the tracks from the train station.
That particular day I saved thanksgiving for a family whose Mother had fallen ill with flu. Both cooking the meal for 17 people and nursing the woman back to health by evening in a series of events that were happenstance.
I figure if God lets me into Heaven that day will figure into it .
November 24, 2022 at 12:31 pm
Beto,
I agree. You have your ticket to heaven. You went way and above what most people might have done, and you were young. I can’t imagine cooking for 17 people and getting a woman healthy at the same time, especially with your being homeless.
It is definitely a memorable Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving!
November 24, 2022 at 2:04 pm
The house is full and will remain so for days. I am “in service” but am Thankful to be around for another year. They just completed a height measuring contest and unbelievably The Prince is the tallest of everyone hitting over 6’ 3” and still going.
This is my 42nd or 43rd Thanksgiving and I am appreciative that I am an American and all the opportunities this country has afforded me and my family
November 24, 2022 at 4:59 pm
My Dear Hedley,
I still remember The Prince when he was young. 6’3″ is unbelievable. A full house is a good thing.
America is glad to have you!!
November 24, 2022 at 3:21 pm
Happy Thanksgiving dear Americans!
Too bad for turkeys but it’s great to have a special day to meet family and friends.
Kat, thanks for sharing your world and keeping this Coffee-clan together. And of course thanks annual Arlo 🙂 Have a great day!
KTCC-wise I still remember Zoey&Me (-2012) who suggested you should write a book and Minicapt (-2017) with his smart comments.
November 24, 2022 at 5:07 pm
Birgit,
Domestic turkeys are fated from bird. Wild turkeys are now everywhere. They were gone from the cape and were reintroduced years ago. Now they are everywhere, and they travel in large flocks. My nephew stopped and waited until 20 or more crossed the street in front of him.
I am so very happy that the Coffee clan continues.
I also remember Zoey&Me and Minicapt. It was he, Minicapt, who convinced me to buy a Mac. He also found my outside theater set-up. He’d send me to wonderful web sites he knew I’d enjoy. It was his nephew who wrote and told me when Minicapt passed. It was difficult for him and me too.
I always checked Zoey&Me every day. I tried to find the spot where the mystery picture was taken. I remember him wanting my curry recipe and telling me what a hit it was.
I truly miss both of them.
November 24, 2022 at 7:09 pm
Hi Kat,
My most memorable past Thanksgiving day was about 45 years ago. A woman I was dating asked me if I would accompany her to some of her friend’s house for Thanksgiving. On the way, we stopped and picked up an invited guest who was a male flight attendant. When we arrived at the house the couple who invited us were two gay guys who were busy working preparing the food in the kitchen. All the other guests were single gay men. My date was the only female. They set up all the food buffet style and the host announced that dinner was served and followed by, “Ladies first”. All of the men in the room jumped up and got in line. :-). She and I both laughed and the food was absolutely fabulous.
November 24, 2022 at 7:23 pm
Hi Bob,
That sound like a fun Thanksgiving. You gave me a chuckle with the call to dinner. That the food was fabulous seemed to be an added bonus.
So many memorable events happen around food.
November 24, 2022 at 7:35 pm
The Mexican buffet today was excellent. Besides turkey, ham, and thanksgiving stuff. They also had brisket tacos, guacamole, corn casserole, and my favorite, blue corn, cheese enchiladas. We had a good time in spite of the steady rainfall. At least the draught from the summer is almost gone.
November 24, 2022 at 8:57 pm
I would have enjoyed that buffet. Good Mexican is difficult to find here. I love everything you mentioned. That it was a buffet made it sound even better.
I’m glad you are finally getting enough rain.
November 25, 2022 at 12:00 am
Happy Thanksgiving, Kat! A wonderful post, as always.
November 25, 2022 at 6:54 pm
Rowen,
Thank you!! I hope yours was a wonderful Thanksgiving,