General Discussion
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(14,941 posts)Invited lonely neighbor s. This year, local church bringing meals on the day
cstanleytech
(27,287 posts)Simply no where for me to go other than one of the restaurants that'll be open and not in the mood for that.
XanaDUer2
(14,941 posts)And bought a pumpkin pie. My mom would do a whole turkey homemade stuffing, homemade gravy everything.
cstanleytech
(27,287 posts)orleans
(35,494 posts)although a good friend of mine and his husband have done that for years on thanksgiving.
but to go alone? i couldn't do it.
i'm sorry you have no one to have dinner with. not even neighbors?
cstanleytech
(27,287 posts)orleans
(35,494 posts)i wish it could be a better day for you.
holidays can be tough enuf all on their own.
i'll be thinking of you
and, in spite of the holiday, we'll be checking in and around.
talk to us.
and take care.
Ocelot II
(122,320 posts)since I have hardly any family left and the remaining ones tend to ignore me because they always make more interesting holiday plans. So it will be me and the cat, as it's been for many years. I don't even like turkey, though I might buy myself a pumpkin pie.
cstanleytech
(27,287 posts)Scrivener7
(53,666 posts)Many are my found family, not genetic family.
ratchiweenie
(7,982 posts)I must admit, once I start the planning I do get into it.
Scrivener7
(53,666 posts)my grandmothers taught me, and remember those two ladies with joy.
Maybe someday, your grandkids will do the same.
I like passing that stuff down and around. And I want to be around people I love, and I want to do for them right now.
ratchiweenie
(7,982 posts)peachpit24
(77 posts)Had to do all the work. Shopping, cooking, cleaning, plus I worked 3rd shift. I don't celebrate any more. I'm ok with a small meal by myself.
Maru Kitteh
(29,409 posts)Let me just say, AMEN SISTER! We hear you.
Retrograde
(10,834 posts)Mr. Retrograde does a large part of the cleaning and shopping, and most of the turkey day cooking, while I make the stuff that can be done in advance and iron the table linens and do the last-minute picking up. And I make stock from the remains and can it the next day.
mike_c
(36,427 posts)Prelude to genocide day.
EX500rider
(11,683 posts)Ping Tung
(1,567 posts)Last edited Sun Nov 24, 2024, 02:48 PM - Edit history (1)
Hating turkey makes it easier.
CousinIT
(10,736 posts)I wouldn't eat 99% of what's for dinner anyway.
Ping Tung
(1,567 posts)wnylib
(25,183 posts)And Mexican Americans who prefer tamales, enchiladas, or mole (pronounced mo-lay). And flan, which I love.
Several years ago, I had a Mexican woman as an ESL student. She had just arrived in the US after marrying an American man who met her while he was visiting Mexico.
When I explained Thanksgiving and the traditional foods, she said that she had never had pumpkin pie and would not know how to make one for her American husband and his elderly mother who did not cook much any more. So I made one for her. She worried that she might not like it, but I said that it was so traditional that her that her husband and his mother would eat it. She was skeptical, but later reported with some surprise (she didn't believe me?) that they were happy to see it and finished it off in two days while she only had a small taste.
LeftInTX
(31,795 posts)filled turnovers. Not as rich as pie, but similar.
They're available at any bakery here year round. I assume they're also popular in Mexico. Pumpkin is the most common filling.
wnylib
(25,183 posts)In western Mexico, population around 1,400,000 in a larger metropolitan area. So maybe it was a regional thing? This was back in the early 1990s.
Not only had she never had pumpkin pie, but she thought it was strange to eat pumpkin anything. Her idea of filling for empanadas was seafood or beef with a meal or a sweet dessert filling like custard or fruit.
LeftInTX
(31,795 posts)popular in northern and western Mexico.
It's pretty much ubiquitous at all grocery stores and bakeries in South Texas, including Walmart.
Other fillings are pineapple, apple and strawberry. (I pass on those)
Also very popular and very delicious is cajeta. (Caramel sauce) The caramel has its own pastry dough. You can buy them fresh made at Mexican bakeries. Mass produced mini cajeta empanadas are prepackaged at gas stations. (Often the filling is scant in the prepackaged ones)
Ping Tung
(1,567 posts)I learned that Irish cooking seemed to consist of putting everything handy and attainable in a pot of water and then boiling it until all flavor was removed.
I'm the cook here because my wife also came from an Irish American family. She has learned that herbs and spices add flavor to food. I generally like cooking and exploring international food. Chinese, Indian, Mexican, African, etc.
We've had Curry, Enchiladas, Spring Rolls, etc on holidays. I'm thinking Curry on this Thanksgiving. But, I must admit that pumpkin pie is irresistible .
nocoincidences
(2,363 posts)I've been fighting with Christmas zealots for decades who insist I am not serious and keep trying to suck me into it.
NO! I mean no, really!!!!
MayReasonRule
(2,027 posts)wnylib
(25,183 posts)I wish a Merry Bah Humbug to you this year.
nocoincidences
(2,363 posts)wnylib
(25,183 posts)nocoincidences
(2,363 posts)I have been practicing for many decades.
And may you enjoy the holidays in whatever way you choose, or choose not.
Prairie_Seagull
(3,894 posts)All democrats and 2 indies but I am working on those two. Will be interesting to feel the tone of the room. If I have to do my dancing monkey routine. When I start early with bringing out drinks and entertaining folks, well then it's going to be a long night.
Best wishes to everyone.
CousinIT
(10,736 posts)I am catching up with chores and minor things on my to-do list.
MayReasonRule
(2,027 posts)That way I'm on point at least once a week while staying grateful every new day with which I am 're-born'...
Don't let the bastards get ya' down...
Seize your day in your own way and laissez les bon temps rouler!
mitch96
(14,855 posts)meadowlander
(4,787 posts)I tried the first few years but who wants to be stuck inside all day with the oven on when it's 80 degrees out?
So I've flipped my holidays around so they follow the season better. I do still do a turkey feast/harvest thing/"thanksgiving" in May but next weekend is my weekend to celebrate getting my garden planted for the year. So I'm doing a mini-road trip, getting some fish and chips, and hanging out at the beach.
Baitball Blogger
(48,847 posts)PJMcK
(23,228 posts)My wife will be a character actor on a major float in the Macy's parade this year for her 25th appearance. Her day begins at 5:00 am and they're usually finished by noon. For her, it's difficult (hard to see out of the costumes), tiring and uncomfortable if it rains or snows. Still, she has a blast and it's a good gig for her.
This year, a friend of ours got hired to be another character on the float so the two of them will come to our apartment after the parade where I will have been cooking a traditional turkey dinner. The only thing we're celebrating is our friendships, the meal and their parade gig!
I also like having a four-day weekend!
Sympthsical
(10,411 posts)Which is . . . a project.
But I get a week's worth of lumpia and halo halo after, so I've made my peace with it.
I know where my starbread is buttered.
moonscape
(5,436 posts)Retrograde
(10,834 posts)It wasn't going to be that many, but some people wanted to bring their mothers (which was fine - after dinner they grabbed the leftover bottles of wine, went into the kitchen, and washed all the dishes - or a lot of them). When people asked what they could bring, we told them we needed tables, chairs, and forks - we had enough plates even if they didn't match.
Sympthsical
(10,411 posts)My in-laws are a large family who are extremely tight knit and all live in the area. Just as a baseline, you have the two parents who had four kids with 10 grandkids. So once you blend in spouses, step-kids, the kids' boy or girlfriends, etc, it's like just try doing anything with less than 20 people. Mix in that various aunts and uncles and associated cousins also live nearby, and you have a small corporation being managed.
When we got the house and started hosting, we learned real fast. There's a spare room downstairs, and it's literally just where we store chairs. Like some sort of large closet you'd see at a banquet hall. There's cabinets in the laundry room that are just paper plates, plastic utensils, napkins, solo cups, etc.
Early on, I got caught out once not having things on hand. Once. Never again, lol.
LogDog75
(250 posts)Most holidays are made up to celebrate something that historical fact does not support. The real story of the first Thanksgiving doesn't, IMO, warrant making it a holiday. I know others celebrate the holiday and I don't hold it against them.
The real problem of holidays is the meaning of the holiday has given way to commercialization rather than the reason for the holiday. I prefer there be "bank holidays" like they have in England. It's not for a specific reason but just a day off from work. I makes more sense to me. And yes, they do commercialize bank holidays.
mitch96
(14,855 posts)LoisB
(9,201 posts)Doodley
(10,458 posts)EX500rider
(11,683 posts)Maru Kitteh
(29,409 posts)a fan of Thanksgiving since I was a little kid anyway. Mom passing on that day marked the end of me finding any joy in this Holiday.
Alice Kramden
(2,482 posts)Lastingly dampens the holiday of course - condolences on your loss
CountAllVotes
(21,170 posts)He was the cook.
After he died, there were no more Thanksgivings to be had.
Maru Kitteh
(29,409 posts)Or it hasnt yet. Im trying to find the gratitude in feeling the loss but Im afraid Im not big enough for that.
CountAllVotes
(21,170 posts)After Dad died, that was THE END.
He was the glue the held the dysfunctional family somewhat in place.
I'll never get over it, never.
I will be glad when the "holidays" are over.
He was my Santa Claus and everything else of that nature that existed in my life.
Done and gone, all of it now.
I had some dinner and cleaned my teeth. I'm done for the night I do believe.
wcmagumba
(3,418 posts)Just me but have my pick up order for local grocery sorted and already have a bone in turkey breast. I will make the works for myself and enjoy it all with some Macy's Christmas Parade and football/Christmas Story movie and other...Usually do this and like it fine....
Marigold
(223 posts)Tired of cooking and the obligation. We are driving to Canada, eating some Asian food, and maybe a movie. Canadian Thanksgiving is in October, so it is just another day there.
wnylib
(25,183 posts)for a harvest festival. Should be mid October, or at least earlier in November.
bluestarone
(18,575 posts)Good food though.
Response to cstanleytech (Original post)
Name removed Message auto-removed
peacebuzzard
(5,308 posts)I am primarily veg/vegan/and occasionally pescatarian-lacto-ovo.
So my diet rarely changes; I love a festive risotto, however, and if I am home I will make one for Thanksgiving.
StarryNite
(11,131 posts)It could be our last one as a democracy if dump and cult get their way.
DFW
(57,064 posts)Wow, I guess it is.
We always put on a big Thanksgiving Dinner for our German friends and a few from bordering countries (A, NL), about 20 in all.
We just couldnt manage it on time this year because we are baby-sitting for our grandchildren in the Taunus Hills while our two daughters are celebrating the 50th birthday of one of their men out in the Indian Ocean.
But, since Thanksgiving is, as an old friend named Art Buchwald once put it, the one time of year when Americans eat better than the French do, neither we nor our friends wish to do without it. Ergo, we are doing it a week later. Since it isnt a holiday here in the first place, no one gets the day(s) off anyway, so no one cares that its week later as long as it happens. So, it will.
Since you mentioned Art Buchwald and Thanksgiving this will sound terribly pretentious, but that brings back memories of a seminar in France a million years ago when we were required to analyze Buchwalds famous Thanksgiving column (University of Grenoble or the Sorbonne - cant remember which). Havent thought about that in years.
DFW
(57,064 posts)Art's humor was one of a kind. My dad knew him well, I met him a few times. Everybody loved Art except Nixon and the airline companies. He spared them no mercy.
electric_blue68
(19,508 posts)Pete Hammil, Mary McGrory, Jimmy Breslin, and Murray Kempton all appeared in the originally Liberal NY Post back in the late '60s till it changed.
Enjoy yours a week late. 👍
Eko
(8,773 posts)So I'll sleep late, get up, cook for myself and go to bed early cause I have to back in work real early the next day for at least a 12 hr day.
I could cook a nice meal, but I can always cook a nice meal if I want it. I could call my one brother that talks to me, his sons and my Uncle but they would all just tell me they wish I could have come down for thanksgiving. I did that one year, got off at midnight, drove over 4 hours and got there went to sleep, woke up at 12, went to thanksgiving dinner at my uncles with them, left at about 5pm, drove home and got there about 10. Went to sleep and woke up at 5am to go to work. I did the same thing for Christmas. I got gifts for everyone and got a 10$ gas station gift card from my uncle. My brother that didn't even show up got tons of gifts from everyone. I would have been happy with just cards but I sat there while everyone made a big deal out of every present with my 10$ gift card smiling the whole time. "Alright Uncle Sam who is that one from? Oh bill! OK open it!!! Ahh look at that!, isn't that nice!!!!!" and round and round for everybody. Almost everybody. I left around 7pm that night and didn't get home till midnight and had to be up at 5am to go to work. That was my last Christmas with my Mom. She died the next year. I went to the funeral but I haven't been back. With all that being said I wont call them so they can tell me they wish I could be there. They wont call me, they wont text me. I'll just text them. So I'll work late the night before, sleep in some, cook dinner and go to sleep early and go to work early. I wont even get an extra day off that week cause, salaried retail. They will just make me work one of my days off to make up for it. To answer your question I'll try. I always try. I'll do the same for Christmas.
Eko.
cstanleytech
(27,287 posts)Hell, Walmart for a few years literally forced my sister-in-law to work on Thanksgiving day for a few years and she's a cake decorator.
onenote
(44,907 posts)with the family of a neighbor who is very active in the local Democratic party and who I worked with at the polls on election day.
Unlike a lot of the defeatism that i see here -- and I get that a lot of people are hurting because of the results -- my neighbor and I have moved past that and are already discussing the fact that here in Virginia, we have another election next November -- one in which we need to make an all out effort not only to retain control of the state legislature, but to retake the Governorship. Youngkin is term-limited but his ally, the Lt. Gov. is running to succeed him and we need to defeat her, and soundly, not only as a repudiation of Youngkin but also as a major morale booster for Democrats not only in Virginia, but elsewhere.
elleng
(137,575 posts)been hoping for Spanberger for a long time.
Meowmee
(6,511 posts)As usual. Now it is just me, brother and my 3 sweet boy cats. The cats love turkey day
however I have hurt my back when cleaning up leaves and Im not sure how bad it is yet. I may have to get a scan. So it may have to be some frozen pizza made with cauliflower and rice crust that I can eat. So delicious . And various other things.
SomewhereInTheMiddle
(423 posts)In the early 1990's I first met my wife (American) when we were both teaching English in Japan. We sort of got together for the first time at a massive foreigner Thanksgiving do that had more Canadians and Australians than Americans present. But it was great fun.
A couple of years ago we spent Thanksgiving on an Italian cruise ship in the western Med. The buffet had a few "traditional" dishes in acknowledgement of the small percentage of American passengers.
This year we are in Rwanda, and I am not sure I even get the day off work, though I am working for an American university. We are also moving house on that day. So, no plans to celebrate Thanksgiving, though we are thankful for many things.
If you don't want to cook, I suggest trying an ethnic restaurant from a country that does not celebrate the holiday. We had Chicken Korma one year at a mostly empty Indian place. It tasted great!
dhol82
(9,473 posts)At this point, its tradition.
Greg_In_SF
(140 posts)Brother and Sister-In-Law over for Thanksgiving. No Turkey, but I'll be grilling steaks and asparagus and they will be bringing sides.
We all lost all of our parents in the past year, so we're all we've got left.
mucholderthandirt
(1,257 posts)I don't celebrate holidays that are harmful to other people, like Columbus Day, or Thanksgiving. I call the first Cultural Annihilation Day, actually, and have for decades.
marble falls
(62,785 posts)... in July.
MiHale
(11,073 posts)Family thanksgiving get togethers faded as everyone got older. We gather at different times of the year leaving the holidays to the amateurs.
mahatmakanejeeves
(62,335 posts)personnel associated with military installations overseas.
dhol82
(9,473 posts)Have done this for about eight years.
Afterwards, we go for Chinese to celebrate.
Ontheboundry
(305 posts)We never can finish all the turkey meat so we just buy a duck (three of us).and make the sides. Then football games, naps and seconds
Batshit_Bruin_CA
(66 posts)Last edited Tue Nov 26, 2024, 03:11 AM - Edit history (3)
But yes, I am going to take a few quiet moments with my coffee each morning to be grateful for what I do have, aside from way too much solitude
Still have a job. Roof overhead (just moved Oct. 15, most boxes not unpacked).
Still have my 9- year old, sweet black Lab mix (altho I had to rehome the 14-year old yellow Lab with a senior rescue who can take care of his medical needs).
And I should be able to just barely make a large tax payment due in Mid- December (using creative payment shifting to credit cards).
Grateful for- and concerned for- my sister who is a 7-hour drive away, but very busy taking care of her husband of 47 years who has heart disease, diabetes, multiple myeloma, and who is mostly bed-bound now after several hospital stays this last year.
And so that brings me to being grateful for my relative health for my age, mostly functional aches and pains, nothing serious.
getagrip_already
(17,619 posts)We are going out of town to family for the real tday, so we did a prequal for close family who wont be traveling. Plus it was our twins bday.
So three days of overeating. Now thre days to recover then another feast.
Then comes xmas.
Then new years.
Then the end of the world as we know it.
beaglelover
(4,163 posts)Dulcinea
(7,726 posts)I'll do what I always do: eat a lot & watch football. And spend time with my husband & college kids.
Ex Lurker
(3,929 posts)My dad wants to have a normal Thanksgiving so I'll try to rally for his sake.
cstanleytech
(27,287 posts)So, since he decided to still go that leaves me alone 😔
StarlightGold
(367 posts)heading to Boston. I've never been there, so I thought, what am I waiting for? Had the kids over on Sunday for an early Holiday get together.
It will be nice two play two Arlo Guthrie tunes on that day.
Alice's Restaurant because...Thanksgiving.
City of New Orleans because I'm a'ridin' cross country on a train.
Happy Hoosier
(8,652 posts)Been going there for 20 years (with just a few missed years).
I usually cook the Turkey (I cook a pretty great turkey if I do say so myself!)
It's a long-standing tradition. And this will be the last year at her house. She is 92 (almost 93) and will be moving to an assisted care facility early in the new year. So this is the last Thanksgiving and Christmas here... at least while she is the owner. Her son, my awful Brother-in-Law, is buying the house from her living trust. So, I dunno... maybe we go there next year, but I hope not. That dude is a shitty human being. But I'm glad he's buying the house. It'll greatly simplify things when it comes time to settle her estate (a morbid thought, but necessary at this point).
In any case, I'll enjoy cooking the turkey there one more time.
Elessar Zappa
(16,265 posts)Republicans cant and wont change that.
TommieMommy
(1,361 posts)Xavier Breath
(5,258 posts)This year's meal follows not just dipshit's reelection, but the end of my marriage and the death of my Mom back in the spring.
Damn right we're going to stuff our faces and watch football.
SWBTATTReg
(24,604 posts)sister that NO, we didn't want to do this anymore. We're tired of the driving 6 hours one way, and then 6 back, for every holiday. And she agreed! Nice. So now, we go to our favorite Chinese buffet, and gorge ourselves w/ our fave Chinese dishes. It's heaven on Earth, and we enjoy it! Been doing it for years.
Jack Valentino
(1,601 posts)Since my father passed, I have received no invitations from siblings or anyone else---
but when covid was raging I would not have gone there anyway...
On Thursday I will have chicken in some form (haven't decided yet, but I don't care for turkey),
my choice of 'sides', and some cheap beer....
I wouldn't call it a 'celebration' per se, but the night will be
just a little special, for me alone--- as far as the menu is concerned.
Probably hunt for a favorite DVD movie or two...
orangecrush
(22,545 posts)OhioBack2Blue
(44 posts)We light a candle. Have a simple meal.
We take time to acknowledge and respect the land we occupy, as part of the ancestral territory of Indigenous peoples.
We stopped celebrating Christ mass about 15 years ago. One of the best things we ever did. The time is so much more peaceful and pleasant just enjoying the good company of friends and engaging conversation over a meal.
Blasphemer
(3,292 posts)Firstly, I am an immigrant so it's pretty meaningless to me. Second, my indigenous friends call it their last supper.
Groundhawg
(1,077 posts)cadoman
(1,046 posts)When else are you gonna get cranberries like we have now?
Blue_Tires
(57,596 posts)🧐
cstanleytech
(27,287 posts)arthritisR_US
(7,708 posts)cstanleytech
(27,287 posts)ForgedCrank
(2,477 posts)early this morning, people starting to trickle in already.
Family and friends mean everything to me, they are the single most important thing is life and I won't sacrifice that for anything. I am very thankful to have them.
cstanleytech
(27,287 posts)Vinca
(51,439 posts)The generator is definitely downsizing the meal. Oh, well, it's not like much has gone right this November.
Mike 03
(17,897 posts)I've spent the entire day reading the news and ruminating, and talking to my mom on the phone. She's also reading the news and ruminating. We ruminated on the phone together for about an hour. Then I went back to reading the news and ruminating.
I had some constructive things planned--like reading, etc... But they are not happening.
JustAnotherGen
(34,099 posts)A la carte from Maggianos, set the table for just the two of us.
My mom died suddenly in early June and my heart wasn't in it this year.
She always came down for Thanksgiving.
I started crying because she wasn't in her chair so he moved us back into the kitchen bar.
cstanleytech
(27,287 posts)JustAnotherGen
(34,099 posts)Couldn't even watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. We always watched it growing up. She grew up in California and always wanted to take the train into the city, see the Rockettes, then watch the parade.
The year my dad died - my husband and me brought her down from NJ and we did just that.
So that was a no no today too.
Retrograde
(10,834 posts)a custom we started when we were both working and it was easier to do all the prep and much of the cooking on Friday rather than rush to get it done after work on Wednesday. We're having a largish gathering on Saturday - tonight it's just the two of us. Lamb chops, steamed broccoli, some sort of potato, poached pears with ice cream.
And hopefully, I'll be over this cold by Saturday.
cstanleytech
(27,287 posts)usonian
(15,333 posts)Besides, I'm a Time Lord anyway!
jmbar2
(6,362 posts)Didn't feel like going anywhere, particularly driving 4 hours each way. Staying home with absolutely no agenda felt luxurious. The local jazz station KMHD has played nonstop great music with no talking all day. The sun was out, and I just lazed around.
I miss seeing friends, but this felt good.
DFW
(57,064 posts)My "Thanksgiving dinner" was a reheated Chicken Tikka Massala from the Indian place about 200 meters from my Paris office. My guy there knew I was on a tight schedule, so he got it for me, and I wolfed it down about ten minutes before I had to leave for my train back to Sprout City, where I am now.
RedWhiteBlueIsRacist
(466 posts)to know the real history of this land. The official meat of thanksgiving should be bologna. And don't get me started on Black Friday.