Preparing
Posted on | November 18, 2006 |
Bean and I spent the day outdoors under wintry skies. Alternately stacking wood and lying supine, our faces soaking up sunlight as it shone through torn clouds. Bean loves to lie like this, head to head with me, watching the clouds pass. The trees at the edge of the meadow made a crown of twigs at the periphery of our sight. Then we rolled down the hill, listening to crows call overhead.
Later, when we were hungry, I brought out a thermos of milk, graham crackers, peanut butter and honeycomb and we made sticky sandwiches and ate them on the grass. Bean tiped his head all the way back to drink from the tall flask, milk dribbling down his chin; a mustach of white spreading wide with his grin.
We’re hosting thanksgiving this coming week, and Bean and I dragged fallen branches from the woods and heaped them high in the upper meadow—for a bonfire with friends and family gathered round. DH does most of the cooking around our house—because he has that innate sense of which flavors go together, and can work calmly in the kitchen under pressure, without a recipe. I’m content to be the sous chef, watching him wield knives.
What are you planning for thanksgiving? Any good recipes or traditions to share?
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11 Responses to “Preparing”
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November 19th, 2006 @ 12:07 am
hmmm, the twist of honeycomb made my mouth water. I haven’t tried that yet, but it sounds delightful!
Our thanksgiving this year has been deemed the anti-thanksgiving by my husband because my mother is making a pork roast instead of a turkey.
So we are crashing the party with three Turkey Hungry man frozen dinners as a sign of protest to the piggy. We will in all actuality eat the pork, but we want to make a point. The deal on my end of it all was to promise my husband we would get a real tree this Christmas and that I would have to fix a turkey and ham. Deal. 
Enjoy your bonfire and sous chef day!
November 19th, 2006 @ 12:20 am
I highly recommend my sweet potato dish. It’s my family’s holiday tradition dish and is my own family’s favorite as well. Just buy a can of sweet potatoes (vacuum-packed), throw in an egg and mix until smooth with a hand or stand mixer and set aside. Next crush Special K or Wheaties and line the bottom of a greased pie plate. Then layer half the sweet potato mixture on top and smooth before covering with mini-marshmallows. Then layer the rest of the sweet potato mixture on top then top that with with another layer of the crushed cereal on top. Cook for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. While it is baking, stir and heat a cup of heavy whipping cream, a cup of brown surgar and 1-2 Tbls. of flour until it is thick and then add a tsp of vanilla. Pour on top of the Sweet Potato “Pie” and It is actually really easy…I wrote this from memory even though I only make it for the major holidays!
I found your blog through Ali Edward’s links. As an elementary school counselor, I can relate to your posts about school! As a former journalist, I also really enjoy your writing and am sad I have totally abandoned it aside from the little journaling I do scrapbooking. You have an adorable little boy! I am thankful to have three little ones 5 and under (well crazy but thankful). Happy Thanksgiving!
November 19th, 2006 @ 1:13 am
spending Thanksgiving with my parents and the Sicilian
although, laying in a field with honeycomb plastered on my face sounds just as good!
November 19th, 2006 @ 1:37 am
Sounds like you had a day that was nourishing food for the soul…
This year Thanksgiving for my married sons will be with wives family, we’ll be all together at Christmas. So I’ll be cooking just for my daughter and grandson this year and she put in her requests yesterday, all the standard favorites…
Sparkling Apple cider
Harvest Green Salad
Glazed Ham and mashed potatoes
Turkey with Stuffing
Green Bean Casserole
Roasted vegetables
Rolls
Pumkin Pie with whipped cream
November 19th, 2006 @ 6:50 am
We’re having our annual expat thanksgiving potluck bash this weekend with all our good friends. I can’t wait!
November 19th, 2006 @ 8:17 am
satch and i will be alone this holiday as dada will be working in dc. i will make a vegetarian “neat” loaf and some squash…and we’ll have a small feast together. i will give thanks in advance for when our family unit is together again.
much love to your tribe from ours….
November 19th, 2006 @ 9:49 am
Graham crackers and all that good stuff - sounds like a delicious snack!! And the thought of you two rolling down the hill - adorable and life-affirming. I really love rolling down hills - most recently, an Indian mound with the GBK!
As for Thanksgiving traditions, the only tradition is that all the family must gather, with whatever odd and end friends we have room for. I love having friends come, as then everyone is on their best behavior. And I must have the canned cranberry sauce - no question about it. Grandma told me the other night that she’s picked up a six pack!
November 19th, 2006 @ 11:10 am
We had our at home dinner yesterday, which went surprisingly well. Tuesday we’re off to my in laws for a couple of days. Can’t wait for all that grandma time!
November 19th, 2006 @ 11:47 am
Laying in Lupine and watching the clouds. I really miss those days before working full time. Anyway, traditions. Give everyone an index card and have everyone write what they are thankful for then read it at dinner. You can keep these and put them in a scrapbook/photo album with your pictures from the event.
November 19th, 2006 @ 12:35 pm
My sister-in-law’s cooking (and she’s a great one). There’ll be plenty of kid stuff and laughs (my brother will have us in stitches, I’m sure) and pet-petting. Then I’ll sit down to eat and try not to get flailed by my Dad. Ooops…did I just say that in my out loud voice?? Hope you have a lovely first Thanksgiving at your place.
November 19th, 2006 @ 6:52 pm
beautiful photo - such a glow! funny, my mister does most of the cooking around here too! but we are going to my parents home in phoenix this year (first thanksgiving at home in three years!) so mom will be queen of the kitchen - and she does it so well! no turkey for us though - we’ve been sticking to the veggies for a few months now. best wishes for a lovely thanksgiving in your new home!!