Monday, November 24, 2008

Another year of not making with the bird....


We are headed to the Emerald Coast, (well, close to it, anyway) for Thanksgiving. Yet another year of dodging the bullet on making a turkey. Oh, I've done my time on that, I assure you. Since I was a newlywed (the first time) back in '84, I've been getting up at 5:00 AM and putting the turkey in the oven. Only one person that reads this blog (Hey, Karen!) can remember that fiasco of my first Thanksgiving. I had to have the directions read to me as I worked on the turkey. I think we had 20 people in that tiny little apartment. And I was preggers with Jesse, so sick to my stomach that I didn't want any part of eating it. Every year, I always invited those without family to join us. Thanksgiving at my house growing up meant that my stepdad would get up at 3:00 AM to put the turkey in the smoker. He and Mom would actually start drinking then, so by the time we ate, they were definitely feeling no pain. And no hunger. My brothers and I ate by ourselves most of the time. So, the whole concept of a family Thanksgiving was lost on me until I married into this family. It blew me away that folks could cook without the inspiration of alcohol. I dreaded each and every holiday as it would start off like this, and end very badly.
Grandma Hunnybunny will be making the turkey, and the rest of us will be taking orders from her. Suits me just fine. Actually, I mentioned to HB that we could go out for Thanksgiving so we could spend more time together. To me, the holiday is about being together, not the food, although that's nice. Of course he pounded his alfa-male chest and said no way. Tradition is tradition. Well, I'm grateful to God that some traditions can be broken. Like the traditions I grew up with.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yes, I remember that Thanksgiving very well! I'm cooking the turkey for my family this year and making your delicious cornbread dressing. Have a great trip and a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Karen

Anonymous said...

All of my family memories are about "food", are you surprised. Our family was very small and mostly it was just the three of us. I am so thankful to have a large family to cook for. If you are ever in "town" feel free to call up and come over for a McK. feast. I have been cooking turkey since I was 16, and that is another story, probably the best one I ever cooked (I used a cookbook). This year I won't be able to cook until Thursday because of the new baby, other GKs, etc. Have a safe trip and we'll see you when you return.

Lee

Kay said...

I hope your Thanksgiving this year is a beautiful memory. It's bittersweet to think about how many, many Thanksgivings we all have to remember now, good and bad, isn't it?

Anonymous said...

I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving. We do not celebrate Thanksgiving in Norway but I understand it is a nice tradition. It is a nice thing to do institutionalizing thanksgiving. :-)

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Anonymous said...

My MIL used to say "we pay for our raisin' when we have children of our own." We also correct the errors of our parents when we have children of our own. Sounds like you are giving very good and loving memories to your sons. Well done. Happy Day, friend.

Carin said...

I am so glad you have new holiday memeorys that are good and not painful. HUGS!

Anonymous said...

I grew up in Massachusetts with Canadian parents. Thanksgiving was not a big holiday for them. None of our family would make the trip down to see us. Mom would cook a big chicken and call it a turkey and my brothers and I would spend the day bored silly because all of our friends had to stay with their families. Thanksgiving is different since I've been married. We always have family with us and we eat and play games. We don't eat until evening, so no one has to get up at 5:00am to put the turkey in the oven. :-)

Hope you have a safe trip and a wonderful day!!!

Dr.John said...

Your right some traditions should be discarded.
Some new traditions should begin.
Hope your Thanksgiving was just great.