Thanksgiving growing up occasionally involved waiting until dark to eat the feast, because the hunters were out all day………this even persisted somewhat, albeit sporadically, into my young adult life.  You know the young adult, twenty something stage, when we showed up somewhere to eat dinner with no idea how they did it.  It wasn’t until we tried to pull one off ourselves that we realized how much of a challenge it was.  Whoaaaaaa.   (Before you ask – I am pretty sure I was invited to most of those dinners).

Anyway, mincemeat was one of the staples more often than not growing up.  I remember vividly how much I liked it as a child in pies and cookies – until I witnessed it being made by Mum.  Using the neck meat, really?????????  It might be true that ‘the baby of the family’ (that would be me) freaked out.  I know that, without a doubt, my reaction helped to take care of the problem, and likely saved a member or two of the deer population as well.  I absolutely, positively, know that Mum was not pulling my leg when she told me the next year that she had switched to making a vegetarian version for me.  Mum had a way of convincing me of things.  I am now thinking I should have been suspicious when she told me they just threw the neck away……………but hey, I cannot verify, so I will simply testify to the truth of it.  🙂

Here is a recipe I found today while sifting through a bunch of sweet hand written cards that were, without variation, missing directions.  This is written by my sister – I sure do wish I could call her to verify the origin.  She did include one direction in the upper right hand corner…….I am still trying to imagine what might happen if people used different sized bowls.

Suffice it to say, the joke I started about 20 years ago when I identified myself as coming from a “long line of poachers in Maine” is still giving me a big smile.  In fact, my sweet brother in Maine, who has done the geneology, says “Sis, you did come from a long line ah poa-chas”.

I know pumpkin is pretty stylish these days……….but I can honestly say I was into it way before it was a fad.  Pumpkin pie has been my favorite for over 50 years……….ever since I saw Mum make this recipe.

Make sure to check out the kids table if you are so blessed this year to have one.  They are sooooo having the most fun, no matter how much they might lead you to believe otherwise. Make some funny memories, and if you start feeling stressed out, stop and take a deep breath.

A dear friend shared an image with me this week, it it just lovely ………

Breathe in some blessings, and breathe out some gratitude.

If you are wondering how you are going to fit everyone in your house, give thanks.  Maybe you will love it the year you don’t have to put the leaf in the table, but don’t be surprised if it makes you a teensy bit sad.

Happy Thanksgiving!!