My earliest memories of Thanksgiving are from Hackensack, New Jersey. Dad was
stationed at Ellis Island (Statue of Liberty) at that time and we attended the Macy’s Thanksgiving
Parade in person for two years in a row.
I don’t remember our Thanksgiving dinner, as such; only that we attended
Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and then watched the parade.
A few years later Mom and Dad decided to retire in
California; since all our relatives lived on the East Coast, we celebrated each
Thanksgiving – just the four of us.
Mom and Dad made all the ‘traditions’ for our family, especially for Jim and
me. Each Thanksgiving morning we
attended a thanks-giving Mass at Saint Lucy’s Catholic Church in Campbell,
California. It was a small church,
maybe a couple hundred parishioners, at most, and our pastor, Father O’Connelly. Father O’Connelly, such an appropriate
name for a priest, was from Ireland and spoke with a brogue - I have so many great memories of this gentle
man and how he shepherded his flock.
We were in attendance every Sunday, every Saturday for catechism, all
Holy Days of Obligation and special feasts, too; Thanksgiving was just one of
them.
Each year, after Mass, Dad, Jim and I donned our red and
white Campbell, California High School colors to attend the annual Campbell
High School versus Los Gatos High School football game. The rivalry between the two schools was
fierce and we enjoyed every minute of every Thanksgiving game. It was the only time I ever went to a
football game with my dad, so it remains a special memory for me. Throughout my childhood we listened to
games on the radio and later watched many games on TV, but that one game a year
was for attending ‘in person.’
While the three of us were cheering for our local high
school, Mom maintained her management of the kitchen at home, creating our
traditional turkey dinner. For
many years it even included a turkey raised on our little ranch. Every year Dad bought some turkey
chicks that Jim and I believed we were ‘helping’ to feed and watch grow –
mainly we cuddled and played with them.
When Thanksgiving drew near, Mom would get requests for freshly killed turkeys from select
customers of her year-round fresh egg sales. So, in the days preceding the holiday,
Dad would slaughter and prepare the most wonderfully dressed turkeys. They’d been fed and pampered
throughout their lives and were magnificent birds.
I marvel, these days, at how wholesome that era of my life
was. I knew at the time those
chicks were purchased that they’d eventually become the special-ness of
Thanksgiving. I played with them
and coddled them; but always understood their purpose and didn’t hesitate to be
a help to Dad on the day they met the end of life. From year to year I think there were even some who
were so well-liked we gave them names.
That yearly Thanksgiving dinner, always served relatively early in
the afternoon, always consisted of deliciously roasted turkey, homemade
stuffing, creamy gravy, freshly mashed potatoes, mashed rutabagas (turnips),
creamed pearl onions, jellied cranberry sauce, home-baked dinner rolls, a relish tray
and fruit salad. For dessert there
was always Mom’s homemade pumpkin, mincemeat and apple pies. Oh, the aromas emanating from that
house when we returned, chilly, but not cold, and happy or a
little disappointed, at the end of the yearly football rivalry.
One of my favorite recollections about the whole celebration
of Thanksgiving was the wonder of LEFTOVERS. Yes, I’ve always been more enthralled with the leftovers
than the freshly made feast.
Because we dined relatively early in the day, there was lots of time to
enjoy one, or maybe even a second meal of turkey sandwiches. Those fabulous sandwiches were de rigueur
for several days, excluding the next day, Friday (no meat that day!). I could hardly wait for Saturday and
usually made myself a turkey sandwich for breakfast!
I was married for 32 years and prepared Thanksgiving dinner
every single one of those 32 years.
There are so many memories of those years; but that’s for another story.
This year I’m with Lacy and Eleanor in our new lifestyle,
motor home living, in our temporary yard at Rainbow’s End in Livingston,
Texas. Yes, I will miss my family
and all the tried and true traditions of this special time of the year. However, I give thanks for all
the blessings in my life and for all the memories I share with my family and
friends.
I want to wish you all a wonderful holiday and hope the
blessings of this day remain with you throughout the coming year. My thanks and prayers to my brother,
Jim and my family, my children: Jeff,
Kari and Spencer, their families, my grandchildren: Quinn, Addison, Holland, Avery, Tate, Spencer, Malia and
Samantha. And I wish happiness to Rachelle in France.
Happy Thanksgiving America!
Happy Thanksgiving from Boca de Tomatlan, Jalisco. We have a small group of gringos going into Puerto Vallarta to a resaturant that is fixing an American style turkey buffet and fixings....not quite like home but it will be fun. Blessings to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteAnd, my best wishes for you, too. Please share what the festivities are like in Jalisco. I passed a couple of Thanksgivings in Guatemala and one in France. Very interesting.
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving to you too Mary-Pat. --Dave
ReplyDeletehope your turkey day has been lots of fun and filled with love....
DeleteHappy Thanksgiving Mary-Pat!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Betty and Joe. Hope you're having a great day, too. Hugs.
DeleteOK, you made me cry. What a touching post. Happy Thanksgiving, Mary Pat.
ReplyDeleteAnd, the same to you. I hope your day has been filled with love and all good things...
DeleteSuch a great holiday blog with tons of family history! Love you and miss you this holiday Mimi!!! Love, Quinn
ReplyDeleteBoy, does this make my day, Quinn. Je t'aime beaucoup. Hugs for you and Landon. Keep coming back. I write this for you grandkids.
DeleteHappy Thanksgiving! I hope you had a joyful day!
ReplyDeleteThanks you, Sheila. I hope the same for you - a happy holiday and life, too.
DeleteGreat Post, Mary-Pat ... I too, was raised on a 'family' farm.. we grew all that we ate. However, my experience was different. I made pets of all the animals but was never told about them going to be slaughtered... especially one calf in particular, Rocky.... extremely traumatic...
ReplyDeleteBUT I do remember wonderful aromas ... absolutely wonderful food... but I would NOT eat Rocky or any other animal. I think that's why I'm almost ... almost a vegetarian... never could eat lamb.. never ever
32 years.... wow. Well? I'll be married 30 this April but ... in paper only. sad innit? ha
good ol Livingston and at lest we had sunshine today ... .but woke up to 19 degrees... toooooo cold for this ol southern girl.
Your new life sounds wonderful .... and I'm very glad to tag along... you write beautifully ...
Hi Carolyn...
DeleteWell, at that nice Thanksgiving dinner I had a cup of black coffee and haven't slept yet! Finally decided to give up for a few hours and head into Internet land. Hope your holiday was wonderful with your son and grandson - other family nearby? Where do you live? Sounds rather close. It's still cold here. Brrrrr.
Yes, I was married for 32 years and have been divorced for 21 years! Single single single ....
Wonderful post, and so nice to share Thanksgiving dinner with you and the others at the Escapees do.
ReplyDeleteJim
Great stories of childhood thanksgivings! I paused when you mentioned cooking every single year you were married as I too have done almost that much with the exception of two years. Thinking the Escapees gathering may be the ticket for me for next year!!! Kari
DeleteDentist in Puerto Vallarta provide superior quality dentistry at best price. Our highly trained bilingual Puerto Vallarta dentist have extensive experience
ReplyDeleteinstyler ionic styler pro
ReplyDeletekate spade handbags
louboutin shoes
longchamp handbags
tods shoes
burberry outlet online
coach outlet store
ed hardy t-shirts
ralph lauren
toms shoes outlet online
adidas wings
celine handbags
louis vuitton outlet stores
michael kors outlet
christian louboutin
cheap mlb jerseys
lululemon outlet
mcm bags
ghd hair straighteners
converse shoes
true religion jeans
adidas shoes
beats headphones
air force 1 shoes
tod's shoes
adidas wings
mont blanc pens for sale
lebron james shoes
nfl jerseys
ferragamo belts
michael kors outlet
jordan 11
nba jerseys wholesale
foamposite shoes
fred perry shirts
coach outlet
salomon running shoes
burberry handbags
timberland outlet
karen millen sale
caiting331
20150708 junda
ReplyDeletemichael kors outlet
ed hardy clothing uk
mcm backpack
soccer outlet
burberry outlet
gucci handbags
oakley sunglasses sale
longchamp outlet online
gucci borse
air jordan uk
chanel bags
louboutin
gucci uk
oakley sunglasses
chanel handbags
oakley sunglasses outlet
nike blazer high
replica watches rolex
chaussure louboutin pas cher
coach outlet
kate spade new york
coach outlet store online
chanel outlet
coach outlet store online
oakley store
ralph lauren pas cher
oakley sunglasses cheap
ray bans
michael kors handbags
burberry handbags
prada outlet
pandora jewelry sale
jordan femme
michael kors uk
mont blanc pens
michael kors bags
air force pas cher
rolex watches for sale
cheap air max
0815
ReplyDeletemichael kors outlet, http://www.michaelkorsoutletcanada.in.net
nhl jerseys
dolphins jerseys
nike store
mulberry outlet
canada goose jackets
air max 2015
monster beats
oakley
michael jordan jersey
michael kors uk outlet
air jordan shoes
juicy couture sale
ralph lauren,ralph lauren uk,ralph lauren outlet,ralph lauren outlet online,polo ralph lauren outlet,ralph lauren polo
swarovski outlet
juicy couture outlet
nike air max 90
oakley sunglasses
nba jerseys, http://www.nbajerseys.us.com
lebron james shoes
north face outlet
nike air huarache,nike huarache,nike huarache sneakers,nike huarache shoes
air max 90
cartier watches
blackhawks jersey
dallas cowboys jersey
new york giants jerseys
supra shoes
oakley sunglasses
lebron james shoes,lebron 12,lebron 12 shoes,lebron sneakers,lebron iv,lebron 11,lebron 10
louis vuitton
manchester united soccer jersey
hermes birkin
nike free
ReplyDeletecartier watches
louis vuitton outlet
air jordan shoes
coach factory outlet
kobe shoes
coach outlet online
kate spade outlet
burberry outlet, http://www.burberryoutletonlinestore.com.co
coach handbags
oakley,occhiali oakley,oakley italia,oakley occhiali,oakley sunglasses
hollister pas cher
michael kors factory outlet, http://www.michaelkorsfactoryoutletonline.com
new balance 574
roshe run men
michael kors outlet, http://www.michaelkorsoutletonlinstore.us.com
louis vuitton outlet store
tory burch sandals
toms shoes
ray ban sunglasses, http://www.ray-bansunglassess.in.net
jordan 4
jordan shoes, http://www.jordan-shoes.us.com
mcm bags
michael kors outlet online, http://www.michaelkorsoutletonlinstore.us.com
coach outlet
christian louboutin,louboutin,louboutin outlet,louboutin outlet italia,scarpe louboutin
ray ban sunglasses
air max 2014
mont blanc pens
cheap jordans, http://www.jordan-shoes.us.com
north face jackets
los angeles lakers jerseys
polo ralph lauren outlet
ysl outlet
stuart weitzman boots
hollister uk
nike air max uk
0817maoqiuyun
20150828 junda
ReplyDeletenike cortez
christian louboutin
hermes bags
ray ban glasses
nike running shoes
ray bans
soccer jerseys wholesale
nike roshe run mens
basket ball shoes
adidas superstar
ralph lauren
fitflops outlet
nike air max 90
prada handbags
toms shoes outlet
cheap jerseys
kate spade handbags
ray ban sunglasses
timberland uk
coach outlet
ralph lauren uk
cheap oakley sunglasses
michael kors
nike store uk
michael kors outlet
ed hardy clothing
mcm handbags
black timberland boots
hollister clothing store
polo ralph lauren
oakley sunglasses outlet
toms outlet
tory burch shoes
ralph lauren homme
sac longchamp
christian louboutin outlet
nike blazer low
air force 1
hollister
nike blazer
2015-09-01 zhengjx
ReplyDeletecoach factory outlet
coach outlet
louis vuitton outlet
michael kors
louis vuitton handbags
ugg australia
louis vuitton handbags
marc jacobs outlet
barbour uk
instyler curling iron
timberland uk
fake oakleys
michael kors uk
michael kors outlet
fitflop shoes
louis vuitton handbags
hollister jeans
jordan 6 retro
louis vuitton handbags
mcm outlet
michael kors
polo ralph lauren
celine handbags
toms outlet
white timberland boots
michael kors
celine handbags
nike store uk
michael kors uk
ray ban aviators
michael kors purse
mont blanc
burberry sale
michael kors outlet online
hollister uk
coach outlet
louis vuitton
louis vuitton outlet stores
fake watches
retro jordans
Coach Outlet Online,
ReplyDeleteBurberry Outlet Online,
Michael Kors Outlet Online,
Ralph Lauren Outlet Online,
Longchamp Outlet Online,
MCM Outlet Online,
Oakley Outlet Online,
Ugg Boots Sale,
Coach Outlet,
Burberry Outlet,
Toms Outlet Online,
Chanel Outlet Online,
Oakley Outlet,
Coach Handbags Outlet,
Michael Kors Handbags Outlet,
MCM Handbags Outlet,
Gucci Handbags Outlet,
Burberry Handbags Outlet,
Michael Kors Outlet,
Burberry Outlet,
Nike Outlet,
Ralph Lauren Outlet,
Ray Ban Outlet,
Nike Shoes Outlet,
Air Huarache UK,
Air Max Shoes Outlet,
Supra Shoes Outlet,
Toms Shoes Outlet,
Coach Bags Outlet,
Coach Factory Outlet,
Michael Kors USA,
Nike Air Huarache
ugg boots outlet
polo outlet online
Coach Online Outlet
Nike Outlet
polo outlet
Michael Kors Outlet Canada
MCM Backpack
Michael Kors Outlet
Gucci Outlet
tommy
ReplyDeletehilfiger outlet stores nike roshe salvatore ferragamo moncler women jackets michael kors data burberry oakley
sunglasses cheap ugg australia
babyliss pro air max bebe
dresses against ralph lauren australia
north face canada ugg boots ray ban outlet north face outlet toms shoes outlet information michael kors outlet online beats by dr dre coach factory outlet store true religion jeans outlet true religion outlet rolex
replica captured roshe run uggs louis
vuitton outlet online michael kors outlet
online nike north face outlet from calvin klein underwear nike air
max p90x workout louis vuitton bags asics louis vuitton outlet
online 300 michael kors abercrombie longchamp ray ban sunglasses burberry
mizuno running shoes
ReplyDeletenorth face outlet
hollister canada
chicago blackhawks
north face jackets
timberland shoes
nike free
nike air huarache
christian louboutin,louboutin,louboutin outlet,louboutin outlet italia,scarpe louboutin
asics,asics israel,asics shoes,asics running shoes,asics israel,asics gel,asics running,asics gel nimbus,asics gel kayano
golden state warriors
cheap soccer jerseys
canada goose outelt
michael kors outlet online
gucci,borse gucci,gucci sito ufficiale,gucci outlet
calvin klein outlet
air jordan shoes for sale
canada goose jackets
new balance shoes
michael kors uk outlet
1024minko
chenlili20160325
ReplyDeletelouis vuitton bags
rolex watches
coach outlet online
ray ban outlet
coach outlet online
ugg boots
louis vuitton handbags
ugg boots
coach factorty outlet online
ray ban sunglasses outlet
michael kors handbags
coach outlet
hollister clothing
pandora charms
coach outlet
louis vuitton outlet stores
michael kors outlet
christian louboutin outlet
tods sale
ray ban sunglasses
louis vuitton handbags
louis vuitton handbags
ralph lauren home
michael kors handbags
oakley vault
ray ban outlet
louis vuitton handbags
montblanc pens
ray ban
longchamp le pliage
oakley sunglasses
hollister jeans
ugg outlet
coach outlet
louis vuitton handbags
true religion jeans
louis vuitton outlet stores
fitflop clearance
ugg boots outlet
zhengjx20160517
ReplyDeletemichael kors outlet clearance
ralph lauren home
louis vuitton purses
coach factory outlet online
louis vuitton bags
discount jordans
cheap rolex watches
ralph lauren outlet
ralph lauren polo
ray ban sunglasses uk
michael kors handbags
lebron james shoes 13
coach outlet store online
tiffany and co
michael kors outlet online
louis vuitton outlet
jordan 6s
coach factory outlet online
replica rolex watches
coach outlet online
michael kors outlet clearance
nike air max uk
cheap ray ban sunglasses
tory burch boots
michael kors outlet
replica watches
coach outlet store
louis vuitton outlet
tory burch outlet online
michael kors handbags
coach outlet
jordan retro 13
louis vuitton outlet
coach outlet clearance
coach outlet online
adidas wings
ray ban sunglasses
oakley sunglasses wholesale
michael kors outlet clearance
jianbin0518
ReplyDeletegucci sunglasses uk
ray ban sunglasses
bottega veneta outlet
ferragamo shoes
soccer jerseys
lululemon pants
chrome hearts outlet
pandora outlet
coach handbags outlet
oakley sunglasses
cheap michael kors handbags
oakley sunglasses
air max 90
fitflops uk
michael kors outlet online
mlb jerseys
fitflops shoes
michael kors outlet
longchamp solde
ralph lauren
tory burch outlet online
swarovski outlet
nike air force 1
ray ban sunglasses
nike air max 90
ray ban sunglasses
rolex watches for sale
mlb jerseys
cazal sunglasses
louis vuitton outlet store
longchamp outlet online
hollister clothing store
air max 2015
ray-ban sunglasses
fitflop clearance
nike air huarache
ferragamo outlet
camisetas futbol baratas
rolex watches
new england patriots jerseys
ReplyDeletechristian louboutin outlet
gucci
coach outlet
uggs outlet
canada goose jackets
louis vuitton handbags
christian louboutin pas cher
coach outlet
michael kors outlet
coach factory outlet
ralph lauren polo
adidas shoes
kate spade
fitflops
louis vuitton outlet stores
nike trainers
official michael kors outlet
michael kors bags
cheap jordan shoes
uggs outlet
designer handbags
louis vuitton handbags
ray ban wayfarer
christian louboutin outlet
louis vuitton outlet
north face jackets
michael kors handbags
moncler pas cher
jordan 13
canada goose outlet
chicago bulls jerseys
uggs pas cher
louis vuitton outlet
ugg outlet
coach outlet
michael kors handbags
jordan concords
adidas uk
louis vuitton handbags
20169.8wengdongdong
Sbobet เว็บไซต์แทงบอลออนไลน์ที่ดีที่สุด พร้อมให้บริการตลอด 24 ชั่วโมง และยังสามารถลุ้นรับโปรโมชั่นดีๆ ได้ตลอดการเข้าใช้งาน นอกจากการเดิมพันทางด้านกีฬาแล้ว สโบเบทยังมีเกมการพนันในรูปแบบของคาสิโนออนไลน์ให้คุณได้เข้ามาร่วมสนุกรับเงินรางวัลไปอีกด้วย
ReplyDelete