Turkey! It’s the first image that comes to mind and to my taste buds is a juicy thick cut turkey. My family, like so many others, celebrates Turkey Day in excess by cooking and eating too much food and then processing to eat more by the colorful array of the desserts. Turkey crammed with stuffing and freshly boiled potatoes smashed together with milk and butter melting on top. I’m not sure where casseroles came from but I’m sure they are my favorite. Corn casserole, green beans casserole, and scallop potatoes are always full helping on my plate. There is cranberry sauce and canned cranberry which I prefer. Sweat potatoes with a golden brown marshmallow on top, buttered vegetables, and rolls getting the least attention. Ham is added to Thanksgiving and recently fried turkey has been a trendy addition to the table. There are many mishaps resulting in fires and emergency department calls. If the turkey is fully thawed dried off the oil and water make a terrible mixture. Luckily the first try for my dad went well, maybe a little overcooked but no fire as so many were videotaping waiting for the worst. Thanks, family. There were two other tragically baked turkeys so go around for our international group of fourteen.

We had a family from London and his friend and my father is from former Yugoslavia and had moonshine in hand with stories from everyone around the table. My dad’s wife had her sisters and niece with their kid all joining the group. One long table getting a plate from the buffet and finding a seat and having to explain pilgrims and Indians to an outsider is a great way to laugh about silly holiday decorations.

The good china is usually taken out for special holidays such as Christmas and Thanksgiving along with the best flatware. These are traditionally the items passed on in a woman’s dowry along with the serving dishing, linen napkins and tablecloths and glassware only used on these special occasions making it all the more magical.

Dessert is always the best part and the hardest to plan ahead for but what are a few more bites! Pumpkin pie, cheesecake, pecan pie, and a cookie- cream pie all found their way toon my fork. The real meaning of Thanksgiving day is togetherness. Coming together and being part of my family dinner and my boyfriend family dinner. Both dinners had the family home cooked meals with way too much food. Plastic containers are filled with leftovers and send home in filled plastic bags. As with any other worldly traditions, the eldest usually run the dinner keeping their parent’s memories alive and keeping the family rituals. Leaving the table uncomfortably full is completely normal.