Our family has had a lot of rich tradition when it comes to Thanksgiving as long as I can remember. Some of our traditions are considered "normal" by most standards, a few are unique to our family, and some are off the wall completely insane - like the pies. But either way, they are tradition, and they are OUR traditions, and they are what make the first feast of the holiday season something that I look forward to every single minute of the year.
These are just a few of my favorites:
Bread Cubes.
There's the tradition of breaking the bread cubes for the stuffing. This year I handed this one off to my three youngest. It was always the youngest kids' job in the kitchen to break the bread cubes. I always thought it was fun, and mom was trying to include us - I know now that it's because it keeps little hands busy (and out of the pies) for at least a solid 20 minutes. That time right there...that's golden.
(yes I do believe Jesse is eating some...)
Cranberry Sauce.
The super bubbly amazing whole berry stuff ... the kind that DOESN'T Hold the shape of the can as it comes out (that stuff is only good for sandwiches the day after...) The kind that pops and bubbles and burns your arms as you stir it...Good times.
Pie.
And I do mean PIE. Lots of it. This is one thing I remember from growing up with my mom ... we never EVER wanted for Pie. Mom
made all kinds. Cherry, apple, blueberry, Mince (AKA Stinky Feet), Lemon Meringue, Banana cream, coconut cream, bumbleberry, Strawberry, Sunday Cream (that deserves it's OWN section), Blackberry, Chocolate Silk, Pecan and Pumpkin - and I'm sure I'm forgetting a few. Typically, by the time we were done, there was a ratio of 1/2 of a pie per person. sometimes one full pie per person. It. Was. Awesome.
This year I made 6, and my sister in law brought 1. We had 20 people total (and one was an infant who doesn't eat.) 7 pies for 20 people equals about 1/3 of a pie per person. I'm getting close to the tradition!
Sunday Cream Pie.
In my family, Sunday Cream is more vital on Thanksgiving than Pumpkin. It's a family recipe handed down from Grandma Johnson (or at least that's how I remember it) I have no idea if it's her own creation or something she found somewhere. Either way, it's important. It's nutmeg and custard and whipping cream and .... just amazing fluffiness in a pie crust.
And it's topped with chocolate.
It's also the first pie to disappear. (and my big 'ol spoon has NOTHING to do with it. Honest. *snort*)
Carving The Turkey
Carving the turkey is an honor (or so I've been told). When I was growing up, it was Dad's job, if we were at Grandma and Grandpa's - Grandpa did it. I'm not sure if that was tradition, or simply because they just didn't trust us women with knives after we had been cooking and dead on our feet (and only slightly mentally available) by the time the turkey is served. Either way, I remember it being Grandpa or my dad who did it. This year, we were blessed to have Ammon's Grandpa here for Thanksgiving, and he graciously accepted the honor / challenge to carve both turkeys.
He even carved it with my Grandpa and Grandma Johnson's carving set. First time I remember it being used since my Grandpa Johnson used it to help carve our Thanksgiving turkey years and years and YEARS ago...
Yes, I cried.
A lot.
Friday After
For most people, the Friday after is about turkey sandwiches, pie, and relaxing in front of the television...or black Friday shopping, whatever...For me? It's about Pie, cards, family and leftovers. Usually turkey sandwiches on leftover rolls (if there are any - usually it's wonderbread...rolls never last around here.) This year , we piled all the pie into the back of the Yukon and went over the freeway and thru the tunnel to Grandma's house (see how I did that? clever eh? *giggle*) The Yukon is exactly five pies wide - which meant one rode on my lap...and I didn't even stick my fingers in it and eat it on the way. (probably because it was apple, and not one of the cream pies...I thought that one through!)
Anyway, we played games, had dinner, chatted with family, looked at photo albums....it was an amazing time. It brought the weekend to a great close - and we still had two more days to relax and play.
I love Thanksgiving. I love traditions. I love my family.
What are some of your favorite traditions?
