Turkey Lurkey is roasting, ever-so-slowly, tantalizing aromas wafting through the rooms of this old homestead. Bread stuffing, mashed potatoes, roasted sweet potatoes all wait in refrigerated abeyance to be warmed when Mr. Lurkey comes out of the oven and rests after the long hours of roasting. Cranberry relish has been mellowing for several days. The plastic wrap looks to have been rearranged. Antler Man thinks he can fool me and that I won’t notice he’s been sneaking tastes. I’m onto him, though, especially now that I have ditched the walking boot and can maneuver around with more speed. Vegetables, fruit and cheese will whet our appetites before the meal, once family arrives and we gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing, chat, catch up on news, and enjoy the company of two young lads who are growing up fast, two of our grand-nephews.
Thanksgiving.
It is my favorite of holidays. The menu is pretty well set, with regional, cultural and ethnic and other additions. It is a uniquely American holiday, and one I think we need more than anything this year.
I think I’ve touched upon Thanksgiving often in all the years I’ve written, here on the Cutoff. I’ve shared memories of the cranberry relish that graces our table each Thanksgiving. It is a common recipe, but, it came to me from a dear woman, Mary, who sadly passed on a few years ago. I’ve written about family gatherings, my Greek grandmother’s chestnut and meat stuffing, and of the memorable car ride in which a frozen twenty pound turkey hurled toward me at 35 miles per hour and my split second interception at a local turkey bowl.
Thanksgiving.
It remains a favorite holiday of mine, even as I remain mindful of those who are hungry, cold, without hope, and those who are grieving, lonely, disenfranchised, ill, far away from home . . . I think of them and I pray for them, and for you on this Thanksgiving Day.
The buzzer went off. It is time to baste Turkey Lurkey, put the finishing touches on the table, and check for platters and serving pieces.
For those of you celebrating Thanksgiving today, I wish you a happy one. For all of you, please accept my gratitude for your friendship, good and kind words, and visiting me here on the Cutoff.
Cranberry relish would not “mellow” here and go untasted either!! Happy Thanksgiving, Penny & Tom!
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Thank you, Karen. There isn’t much cranberry relish left. 😦 I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving day.
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I love your table cloth. Happy Thanksgiving!
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Isn’t it fun? It is actually a lady’s scarf I came across at an antique mall a few years ago and knew as soon as I saw it that I would use it for a table. I hope you had a good Thanksgiving.
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I’m sure you’ve had a lovely day!
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I did, Nan, thank you. I hope you did as well.
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Maybe you and the turkey are not going to have adventures this time. I guess you’ve just had your big adventure for a while, though with that walking boot off, Mr Antler Man had better watch out. Have a warm, loving and safe thanksgiving Penny.
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Haha. The fall was this year’s adventure, that’s for certain. I am so grateful to be rid of the walking boot, but, will admit to being a wee bit tired after a very nice Thanksgiving with good company and good food. Thank you, Juliet.
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You brought me right to your picture perfect table and Blue Willow china. I am sure that all was delicious with few leftovers! I am so glad that boot is off, another thing to be thankful for. Thank you for the thoughtful information you share during the year. It means a lot.
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Dear Marilyn, I have been thinking of you, wondering how your friend is, knowing she was seriously ill.
If memory serves me, you usually go out for your Thanksgiving meal. I hope it was good and that you are doing well.
There were enough leftovers for all to take something home, and for us to have another meal, and it was, if I must say so, delicious.
There is a little story behind the blue dishes. They are actually Spode in the Botanicals series. The one closest really does look like Blue Willow, which was probably what drew me to these plates, for I’ve always loved that pattern. I came across these at an estate sale one fine spring day. I ended up talking the seller down to $3/plate, bringing 10 dishes home. I love these random “finds”. (not that I needed any more plates)
Thank you for your kind words, Marilyn. I appreciate them, always.
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What a beautiful table Penny and a delicious meal. I checked out your recipes for the stuffing and the cranberry relish. Don’t change a thing, they look delicious.
I’m glad you got rid of your walking boot.
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Thank you so much, Gerlinde. I appreciate your words of encouragement.
The tablescape was fun to assemble 🙂 and, though I’m walking carefully, it is wonderful to not have to war that walking boot. I have much empathy for those with worse or permanent injuries.
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Thank you for remembering my friend who is indeed better. She has a livestream kitten camera when she is in good health.
Yes we do wander out from time to time but this year we stayed home. We had a nontraditional dinner—crockpot chili with shredded cheddar cheese, cornbread and fruit salad with pumpkin pie for dessert. I am taking your advice and using my mother’s china these days. So glad you are having such a splendid holiday!
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I am so glad you came back and let me know about your friend, Marilyn. Happy to learn that she is better – and the kitten camera livestream must be so much fun.
It sounds like a great meal. I’ve never made crockpot chili, though I have a few recipes. I’ll have to try it soon, and, good for you. Using your mother’s china is a nice way to remember her and have her memory present at the table.
Enjoy the rest of this weekend.
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I hope everything about your day was as special as you are, Penny. You make the holiday more meaningful by your careful attention and the way you think about others. I will share more with you later, but my son-in-law lost his dad this week, and our hearts are just sore. Services are coming early this week and in the middle of our loss, there are still many blessings. We did have a lovely Thanksgiving as we celebrated each face around the table, while still hurting for those who were not physically with us. I do love your Thanksgiving stories, and the one thing I read that gave me the most pleasure, was to learn that you are absent the boot! Hooray!!
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It was a wonderful Thanksgiving, Debra, and I appreciate your kind sentiments.
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your son-in-law’s father. It is always sad when we lose a loved on, but, all-the-more poignant when it happens near a holiday, and even more so when there are young children. We can “talk” later, but, know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
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Mmmmmmm! I can almost smell the wonderful Thanksgiving smells across the miles! Penny, I am so happy to hear that you are free of the walking boot and gaining speed! 🙂 What an extra-special blessing during your favorite holiday time. Take care with each step, my friend! Catching up… and sending warm hugs! ♡
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I am, indeed, taking care, Dawn, thank you for your concern. Much to be thankful for. I’m glad to see your name pop up and hope you had a nice Thanksgiving.
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Thank You Penny for all your beautiful posts and kind words. Im glad you are able to run around your kitchen now and i dont blame Tom for sneaking bites of that c. relish/! We had a lovely day with our daughter and sil and family. i cooked nothing. My hand is better and I feel wimpy for even complaining. I can do everything but type wth my right hand and a couple of other things . I find I can do a lot with my left hand even if it is in a wrist wrap thingy.
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So good to see your name, Sallie. I’ve been checking to see if you’ve posted, knowing of your injuries. I’m glad to know your hand is getting better. My goodness, there are many things we take for granted that we can’t do when these things happen and recovery can be frustrating at times, sometimes they are basic needs. I had my share of time being “wimpy” with my foot.
Thanks for coming by and for commenting. I especially appreciate your left-handed comment. 🙂
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Your beautiful table and lovely, detailed description of what I know was a delicious Thanksgiving feast has made me hungry here in Ireland at 1:30 pm several days after the holiday! I hope you had a wonderful day.
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Thank you, Janet. I hope you got some rest after being up so late. I think I love the scents and and ambiance of Thanksgiving as much as the feast. 🙂 Turkey soup last night, and just about finished with the bird. Tonight, we’ll have waffles made by pressing the stuffing into the waffle iron.
Time to revive Blogging From the Blog?
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