When you don’t have kids of your own, you tend to live vicariously through the parenting of your siblings while bonding with nieces and nephews. As such, I developed solid relationships with six nieces and nephews who are now adults between the ages of 26 and 32 doing quite well as educated urban professionals. Five of the six are married, engaged or in committed relationships with only one already uber parenting four children. Proximity lead to a close relationship with my brother’s only daughter who lives in Phoenix with her relatively new husband and dog in their newly renovated home. She is a very organized responsible person so after some practice hosting Thanksgiving for her parents and in-laws last year, this year she took on hosting a historic family/friends Thanksgiving gathering often with 30-40 in attendance. The older generation was thrilled when she volunteered to host and with a little help from her father and everyone bringing dishes to pass, the gathering went off without a hitch. Most heartwarming during grace were her words of gratitude for family, friends and traditions that have continued throughout her growing up years into adulthood; all especially important to her as an only child. The love and pride experienced by her parents led to tears and as her Auntie I am so very thrilled by the successful generational “passing of the torch” during this year’s Thanksgiving gathering. I am sure this has happened for many of you as well for holiday and family celebrations and needs to be acknowledged and celebrated during our many life phases and stages.
Beyond gratitude and togetherness, food is a major theme for this holiday. My niece lives close to a sausage store so it started Wednesday evening with a German feast. There was a charcuterie board loaded with organ meat cold cuts along with various pickled items. Next came five kinds of grilled brats served with Paul’s homemade sauerkraut and artisan breads. I’m sure you are thinking this meal was a bit heavy for the night before Thanksgiving but the guys consider it practice for the main event and even headed off to the neighborhood bar after supper.
On Thanksgiving Day the regulars bring dishes that represent tried and true family favorites and as new family/friends are added to the mix, new offerings appear on the buffet line. Here is a rundown of things I hope to enjoy again next year:
-Goat cheese and chorizo stuffed dates wrapped in bacon, one of many tasty appetizers.
-Deep fried turkey injected with all manner of flavorings.
-Dry marinated spatchcocked turkey
-Homemade noodles cooked in a rich beef broth.
-Cheesy potatoes & green bean casserole, of course.
-Roasted brussel sprouts with bacon and parmesan cheese
-Savory cornbread stuffing with toasted pecans and dried apricots
-Delicious raw cranberry-orange relish which was one of my contributions
-Pumpkin pie bars and a luscious pumpkin dump dessert
-Dutch apple pie made with apples from a family member’s orchard
This list could go on but I think I will stop there and heat up the turkey noodle soup I made yesterday with leftovers. Oh, and the cranberry-orange relish is delicious in Greek yogurt.