Lucky Dorito

As much as a teensy weensy part of me dreads Thanksgiving this year – after the sudden and shocking death of my Dad a mere 69 days ago – the rest of me wants to rejoice. Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday of the year, all about family and togetherness and food! I know it will be marred with tears and sadness this year – but, I also know my Dad would be happy as a clam to watch over us laughing and cooking and telling tall tales to each other, as we always have in years’ past. And in my minds’ eye, I can see him sneaking little *samples* of the meal long before it’s ready to be served, taking it to his recliner to munch on while he watched the games. What a bittersweet memory.

Traditionally, we alternate which side of the family, my husbands or mine, we spend the holidays with each year – and we’d have been with my family even if life hadn’t taken such a drastic turn this year. (Actually, last year SHOULD have been with my family but my husband came down with a sudden stomach virus that left him not knowing which end to get to the toilet from moment to moment – so we stayed home, alone. We quarantined him to the bedroom and the girls and I did our best to cook up a last minute meal. Since it was just the three of us girls eating, it was not a normal Thanksgiving. So – this year was dubbed *my family* again since last year was a total BUST!) Missing from our family celebration will be my oldest daughter Suki – who will not be able to join us. She is still in Florida – doing her job with Americorps and Habitat for Humanity. I’ve got my fingers crossed for Christmas though!

On my side of the family, my sisters and mom usually spend the entire day in the kitchen, cooking, laughing and enjoying each others company – while the men hang out in front of the games on tv. We usually don’t eat until around 3pm, followed by either a *group nap* or just some relaxing before we hit the desserts.

I love love love all the wonderful foods of Thanksgiving – things we don’t normally eat throughout the year. I wonder why that is? It’s like we save up for it all year! Of course, I can’t think too much about the calorie content that I might consume – I just try to take tiny little *bite size servings* of everything so that I can try it but not overdo it. I said, *try*, you’ll notice.

My mother has always made a yummy dressing that I LOVE… a few years ago, I finally conned her into writing it down for me so that I can make it. I have made it but am tickled that we’ll be eating HER dressing this year – which is always better than mine!

My Mom’s Dressing:

Cook giblets and neck on stove top in water (add a little salt). They take several hours to cook thoroughly. Save the juice!

1 lb bacon, fry crisp and set aside

4 to 5 celery stalks, chopped finely

2 med. onions, chopped finely

(These need to be sauteed in the bacon grease and allowed to cool)

Pepperidge Farm Cornbread dressing

Pepperidge Farm Herb dressing

old bread or biscuits (She means some that would have been sitting out all day, to get a little hard)

2 eggs

salt

pepper

sage

Mix dry ingredients together first. Add crumbled crispy bacon, cooked celery and onions, cut up giblets and meat from neck, giblet juice, eggs and seasonings. Mix well and put in 9 X 13 baking pan.

You may also need juice from turkey – ladle it over top of dressing once in the pan. Not enough juice produces dry dressing, so keep adding it even after you think there’s enough so it’s be moist and melt in your mouth!!

*****

I did a lot of the prep work on Wednesday (for the desserts and dishes I’m responsible for bringing) before we drove to my MILs house, arriving late last night. She has the room so we sleep at her house but will be spending most of Thanksgiving day with my family. We’ll be back to her place this evening – and from what I hear, quite possibly be having Thanksgiving again. Whew!

My daughter Luby loves to cook! She made this:

Frosty Peanut Butter Pie

4 oz cream cheese, softened

¼ c peanut butter

¼ c sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 pkg (8oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed

1 chocolate crumb crust

2 tsp chocolate syrup

In large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, peanut butter, sugar and vanilla until smooth. Fold in whipped topping. Spoon into the crust. Drizzle with chocolate syrup. Cover and freeze for 4 hrs or until set. Remove from freezer 30 minutes before serving.

It is YUMMY and very easy to make!

*****

My mom and two of my sisters have agreed to get up at the butt-crack of dawn to do a little Black Friday shopping with me tomorrow! Wow… that is a FIRST! When we’re at home, I usually go with Annie, my friend/coworker (Anndawg is her comment name) and have a seriously good time. You’d just have to know her though – EVERYthing I do with her is a serious good time! We head out by 5am and will sometimes be home before 7am. I am so NOT an all day shopper…. just a little while in the craziness of the morning is all I need to get my fix for the year! I know Anndawg hates that she won’t have the pleasure of my company tomorrow but I’m sure I’ll call her about 27 times! hehe  (Will you still love me Annie?)

This year we’ll be going to the cemetary on Friday to see my Dad’s headstone that has been set in the past few weeks. I actually anticipate trips to the cemetary might become part of our future traditions. Or for me, perhaps.

*****

I am so very thankful for:

• My darling husband whom I adore
• My precious daughters: Suki, Beebo, and Luby
• Good health (yeah, so I’ve had a *cold*…. I can live with that!)
• Sweet friends
• A roof over our heads, clothes on our backs, and food in our refrigerator
• My older-than-dirt van that is still plugging along.
• Family
• A profession that I still, for the most part, LOVE after 21 years
• My dogs – my constant companions
• Coffee
• Blogging
• Coffee 
• And lastly, probably most importantly – I am thankful that the sweet Lord allows me to be here another day. I hope that I can make Him proud.

Ya’ll have a most fabulous Happy Thanksgiving! Much love to each of you.

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