Monday, December 1, 2008

The Ladies of the House Present . . .

Thanksgiving Dinner!!




The Thanksgiving meal lingers as a filling and delicious memory crafted by many hands and enjoyed by every mouth, but the warmth and togetherness we shared this past holiday knit another row of love and joy and hope into the comforting blanket we call family. The past few months have held challenges and obstacles and long valleys requiring endurance; and yet as we seated ourselves around the table and prayed over those five kernels of corn representing the Pilgrim's darkest hours . . .


. . . we rejoiced!

As we thoughtfully chewed the five kernels we shared thankful thoughts. Rachel piped up first, thankful for her mother's culinary skills. We shared, we laughed, we fought tears, and we reminisced. I remembered that my mother only seemed to enjoy cooking on Thanksgiving. She gave it her all. I love to cook, so the thanksgiving meal merely rolls out traditional favorites, but each year more hands help. Rachel and Elizabeth love to cook, create, and craft . . .


. . . while Lydia prefers to watch in between opportunities to slip off and write or walk in the gardens.


Our meal showcased the "All-Time Favorites" like succulent roast turkey, fluffy mashed potatoes . . .


. . . gravy, giblet stuffing . . .


. . . cranberry sauce (jellied wins here), buttery balsamic-garlic brussels sprouts, and humble kernels of corn. (What happened to the pics of the whipped sweet potatoes?)


Once the meal has been fully enjoyed the clamor for pie rings out. Pumpkin, sweet potato, and apple . . . take your pick!


As tradition would have it, I always cut hearts from the pie crust remains and bake them with a sprinkling of sugar-cinnamon for a sweet ending. This year I eked out seven hearts -- one for each family member (counting our Heaven-dweller, Andrew). We nibbled our hearts in the final moments of the feast. When Rachel had finished she asked if she could have Andrew's. Elizabeth chimed in, "He is in heaven eating like this every day, so I doubt he'll be missing a cookie." I nodded as a tear glistened.


We gather, we cook, we pray, we eat, we remember, we make new memories. When we've finished . . . we look forward to doing it all over again next year ~~ Lord willing. : )

15 comments:

Flea said...

Mmmm! Cranberry sauce shaped like a can! My children's Thanksgiving day favorite!

I hope Andrew's enjoying cookies for all of us! And that it's not going to his hips! :) I know you all can't wait to see him!

Mim said...

You are such an inspiration... the heart cookie for Andrew... now that was a tear jerker as I read it.
And the girls in the kitchen cooking... how special.
Mim

"Create Beauty" said...

Thanks for sharing your Thanksgiving with us, what a special family you have! And how blessed they are to have you for a mom / wife! How nice to see photos of all of you : ) The pie-dough hearts, what a sweet touch.

Laura ~Peach~ said...

wonderful dinner! looks yummmmmmmyyyyyyyy! Love the cookies! reminds me that mom used to take the strips and bake them then cover them with cinnamon sugar... I had forgotten that. :)
HUGS Laura

FancyHorse said...

Lovely Thanksgiving feast, and inspiring post. I'm glad your girls were all together; everyone looks so industrious and happy. Your kitcen is cheerful and busy!

Grandma Tillie's Bakery said...

What a wonderful dinner and neat traditions. I always love to see our next generation enjoying the kitchen too!

dawn klinge said...

What a precious family you have. My mom always makes those sugar cinnamon pie crisps from the remains for the crust as well. I loved Elizabeth's comment about her brother in heaven.

Kat said...

My mouth was watering through that entire post!
What lovely sentiment with the cookies at the end. And I have to agree, Andrew is most likely more that happy to share his cookie. :)

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Thank you so much for writing about my Truck entry. We are a lot a like.
I am glad I found you. Have a great day. From Nashville, Tn.

Becky said...

That Rachel is never full! :-) I love what you do with the corn kernels at the start of the meal but I forgot to do it this year. What a lovely feast you ladies prepared. God Bless!

Virginia said...

My Dear Debbie,
Your post always touch my heart. Sweet and inspiring.
I’m glad you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your beautiful daughters.
Hugs and Blessings,
Virginia

Karen said...

Your girls are just beautiful, and it looks like you had a wonderful holiday together. Your family is truly blessed.

imbeingheldhostage said...

What a beautiful picture you all make!! And Thanksgiving on willow, how nice.

Anonymous said...

Lovely, lovely ladies of the house. I can feel the love and your warmth covering your home deeply.

Ruth MacC said...

Ah Debby, we have so much to be thankful for. Nice to see the cookie for Andrew.