Because of the holiday yesterday, I think I’ll take a break from my home series to reminisce on past holidays. ‘Tis only appropriate. 🙂
Thanksgiving was quite the affair, as I’m sure it is for many families. While Christmas dinner varied, Thanksgiving was always the same. Turkey with stuffing, dressing, cranberry sauce, potato salad, corn, green beans, mashed potatoes, candied yams, pumpkin pie. Of course, this was back when barely anything was open on Thanksgiving, so if you forgot something, better hope the neighbors have some or you went without that year. My mum was very organized and usually had things together, but there was a time or two she forgot to pick up something small and a recipe had to be modified or we ended up going without.
She was very smart about the dinner making, though. She always made the turkey the day before and had it carved and in the refrigerator for the next day. She started making more and more the day before until it got to the point where everything was ready by lunch time, so we started having our Thanksgiving meal for lunch. I think it worked out much better that way, just go ahead and get the meal over and done with, then relax and hang out, then just heat up leftovers for dinner.
When we were living in Georgia, we were living around our family, and I’m sure we visited them on Thanksgiving, but I don’t remember it very clearly. That or it blurs with Christmas visitations. I do know my maternal grandmother made a caramel cake that was probably one of the best things I’ve ever put in my mouth. I finally found a recipe for it last week, so it is on my list to attempt for Yule.
This Thanksgiving was a little lackluster, compared to past ones. Most of our money is tied up in moving right now, so we didn’t have the extra to get special stuff for a Thanksgiving meal. We ended up just eating some lasagna and cheesy garlic toast. But, it was still wonderful all the same, to get to spend it with my fiance. We geeked out a good part of the day, setting up bookings for his wrestling game, then he played some of his football game while I took a quick nap. Then some reading and snuggling time, followed by dinner and a movie. We decided to watch a movie that’s so bad it’s good: No Holds Barred, starring Hulk Hogan. Oh gods, it was terrible. But it was hilarious. One of those movies where it’s fun to snark on as you watch it ala MST3K.
This holiday, for Yule, I intend on doing a little more cooking. Maybe actually have a bird. If a bird is possible, then I’ll definitely be making some of my mum’s dressing. Some candied yams. Mashed potatoes. And at least an attempt at the caramel cake. I actually like being domestic, when I get the chance to be.
But, no matter what happens this holiday season, I’ll do my best not to get caught up with details. I’ll simply enjoy the time I have with my fiance. After all, we have life, we have each other, and that’s all we really need.
FracturedElisabeth 
“One of those movies where it’s fun to snark on as you watch it ala MST3K.”
I have missed Mystery Science Theater so much! I have resorted, from time to time, to watching an episode or two on YouTube; but it’s really just not the same when you don’t have someone to watch with, who understands both the language and the humor without having to do the whole inner-translation.
How does the old expression go? “The devil is in the details.” On the one hand, it can simply mean that the details can be the hardest part … but for some people, it’s a good warning that it’s in the details where the ‘devil’ likes to lay in wait. The spirit of the season is what matters most … from the Puritans of days gone by, who troubled themselves little with the details of their hosts, their hosts’ beliefs and ways, or the food and generosity being offered by them; to the tight-knit families gathered in turf-lined homes a thousand years ago in Viking lands, who shared all they had with each other and welcomed in the growing light of the year with undiminished lights of their own … details are for materialists, this season is about taking real delight in the love and joy of others, and allowing others to delight in yours 🙂
I’ve never had caramel cake before, it sounds like something to look forward to! I’m thinking of introducing the neighbors to peanut butter fudge this year … I haven’t fixed it in years, and figure it’s a trend, like any other, that can be changed 😉
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I remember when my ex’s uncle went on a fudge making spree … my favourites were the white chocolate and peanut butter, so I encourage you to make it! The caramel cake is easy, and yet not. The cake itself is pretty simple, just a pretty basic cake. The trick is in the icing. It’s a oozy caramel that you just pour over the cake and it seeps into the cake and covers it. I often tend to get intimidated by cooking and baking that turns out excellent, so I’m really just hoping it lives up to my memory of it!
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Decades ago, we tried to do traditional holiday meals, but we are a somewhat non-traditional family, so over the years, that has changed into something that suits our family. And the one thing everyone seems to agree on is that Thanksgiving and Christmas must center on my Cranberry Sauce, which is not only simple, but heathy and delicious
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