Thanksgiving isn't Thanksgiving without...

**Darlene** · 11-04-2010, 10:10 AM

~having my heart warmed being with people I love & remembering those who have touched my life and are no longer here

~my cornbread, sausage & mushroom dressing

~memories of sitting at the kids table with black olives on my wiggling fingers and happy I passed that on to my kids, lol.

~turkey sandwiches with lots of mayo & black pepper

~remembering one of my favorite Thanksgivings where it was snowing bunches and we went to the nursing home to pick up dh's grandmother to bring us all to dh's Moms house for dinner & we all were singing:

"Over the river and through the woods,
To grandmother's house we go;
The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh,
Through the white and drifted snow, O!
Over the river and through the woods,
Oh how the wind does blow!
It stings the toes, and bites the nose,
As over the ground we go.

Sadly it was her last Thanksgiving but Oh what a day!

**Russ** · 11-04-2010, 10:13 AM

Thanksgiving isn't Thanksgiving without...

Sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie. There will be no discussion about this, it is a LAW.

**AmyBoz** · 11-04-2010, 10:16 AM

Turkey and mashed potatoes. I eat mashed potatoes on Thanksgiving until they are coming out my nose!

**gapeach** · 11-04-2010, 10:46 AM

Thanksgiving isn't Thanksgiving without dressing and pumpkin pie and that "stuffed to the gills" feeling!! We always cook too much so that we can have leftovers for a day or two. Sadly, it's just DH and I now at our table. My DMIL passed away and a lot of our family members have married and started their own traditions with their families or in laws. DH and I always try to reflect on our blessings for the year!

**kattails** · 11-04-2010, 10:53 AM

STRING BEAN CASSEROLE my son and I fight over this every holiday bc he thinks he loves it as much as I do. and yes, I will fight a 10 year old over my SB casserole

**Booklover** · 11-04-2010, 10:54 AM

Darlene, your cornbread, sausage & mushroom dressing sounds heavenly! Would you care to share the recipe?

**Darlene** · 11-04-2010, 11:16 AM

Originally Posted by Booklover

Darlene, your cornbread, sausage & mushroom dressing sounds heavenly! Would you care to share the recipe?

I saute, 1lb pork sausage (breakfast type in tube like in picture, breaking it down into small pieces & I stay away from sausage that has "sage" in big letters because it's usually too sage-y, lol) add celery, onions and sliced mushrooms (as much as I want) 'til all are soft and meat is cooked.
In a large bowl I place a bag & 1/2 of cornbread stuffing (usually Pepperidge Farms) add sauteed goodies and chicken broth til I get the consistency I want , taste and add seasoning if needed. Then heat thru in buttered & covered casserole dish. Easy and a favorite around here.

**Josephhgoins** · 11-04-2010, 11:35 AM

Going to Granny's and fighting for some place to sit, eating on paper plates and drinking out of Solo cups, my Aunts cooked to death dryed out turkey, Moms mushy chicken Cass. Sisters dry dressing, my too sweet tea and the bad dishes goes on and on. I look forward to them and the love that went into making them every year.

**Libby** · 11-04-2010, 11:42 AM

Two things are mandatory for me - my dads dressing and poultry gravy. End of story. Family optional.

**frugal is fun** · 11-04-2010, 11:59 AM

Originally Posted by AmyBoz

Turkey and mashed potatoes. I eat mashed potatoes on Thanksgiving until they are coming out my nose!

I love this! I didn't think anyone loved mashed potatoes as much as me.

I even load them up on celery and dunk it in gravy.

**Judi Dial** · 11-04-2010, 12:22 PM

Hmm. Nothing. We don't do family stuff, have no family close by, and have no traditions. It's just another meal here usually.

Guess I need to change this!

Hmmm.

Judi

**frugalwarrior2** · 11-04-2010, 12:39 PM

pumpkin pie warm w/ whip creme and the "Bettle Juice " movie for DS and me.

Canberry cranberry sauce for DD and DH.
We could almost skip the turkey.

**imagine** · 11-04-2010, 12:46 PM

The homemade cranberry dipping sauce. I get in on top of my turkey or dressing.
Love our string bean casserole made with extra sharp white cheddar.

My mom bring her homemade Pecan Pie. Yum

I love sitting with the family around a nicely decorated table with candle light and enjoying the day.

**Rhayne** · 11-04-2010, 01:23 PM

For me it's homemade lumpy mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce on my turkey, and stuffing, nice and crispy with gravy on top. I also miss my grandmothers homemade pumpkin pies, I miss her so much.

Other things I miss from my grandmothers house.... sitting at the kiddie table, or hoping to be last to the table so it would run outta seats and i'd get to sit at the adult table, sneaking in the kitchen every chance we got to sneak bites of turkey, slices of pie or anything else after dinner was over,.

Things from my mom's house... helping cook everything and getting excited about stuffing the bird, mom's semi homemade pies (she'd go overboard and make like 4 pies, pumpkin, cherry, mincemeat and apple, for our family of 3 people), and i'll never forget the year i was a vegetarian and only ate green beans, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce.

And the years I did thanksgiving twice because i'd eat at my house with my best friend then we'd go to her house and eat. We were stuffed at the end of those thanksgivings.